KEN TSE CHINA LOGISTICS PIONEER AND THE FATHER OF PORT CENTRIC LOGISTICS
Dr. Kenneth Tse, former Director and General Manager of Yantian International Container Terminals Ltd, was inducted into the Institute’s ‘Hall of Fame’ at their 6th Annual China Chapter dinner.This induction is to honour Dr. Tse’s contribution to the development of port logistics in China/Shenzhen and his role in the development of Port-Centric Logistics and End User Marketing.
In 2009, Kenneth Tse took early retirement from 35 years of business life to pursue his portfolio of academic and consulting/research interests in management. In July of that year, he received his doctorate from the University of Birmingham, UK, for his thesis titled “The Co-evolution of Strategy and Environment: A Study of Yantian Port”.For 16 years prior to the change, he was Managing Director of Yantian International Container Terminals Limited, a joint venture between the Hutchison Group and Yantian Port Group, one of China major state owned enterprises.
Starting from a green field in 1993, Kenneth led the joint venture to achieve preeminent status in the port industry, with throughput exceeding 10 million twenty foot equivalent units in 2007 (the largest single terminal in the world in 2007), and gaining worldwide recognition for its productivity improvements and service to customers.In 2005, the company was awarded the “Best Terminal of the Year” by the Global Institute of Logistics. In the same year, it received the “Best Terminal Award” from China’s National Port Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Communications. Such success also meant significant financial contributions of the business unit to Hutchison and Yantian Port Group.
Recognizing his contributions, Shenzhen elected him in 2005 a standing member of the Political Consultative Council and Chairman of the Port Association.
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GIL HALL OF FAME: RECOGNIZING DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE GLOBAL LOGISTICS COMMUNITY
THE STORY OF KEN TSE’S CAREER
Ken Tse has always been active in professional port and logistics activities. His key note address in the Port Development Conference in Long Beach California in 2005 received rave reviews by participants.In 2008, his presentation at the Nanjing Business School’s Peter Drucker Distinguished lecture series was a highlight of the program. As Adjunct Professor in the Dalian Maritime University, he presented to students on port development in China.
Educated as an economist at the University of Hong Kong (1970-73), Kenneth worked in various management capacities in the Swire Group, Citibank and became Wilson Learning’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific in 1983 – 88. In 1988 to 1991, he lived in Australia and managed its business development in Australia and New Zealand.
In December 2006, Kenneth Tse was honoured by the Foreign Investors Association of Shenzhen as an “Outstanding Business Person”. In a personal capacity, he served as an Executive Member of Shenzhen’s Political Consultative Council, an advisory body to the Shenzhen Government. Professionally, he acted as Chairman of the Shenzhen Port Association and Vice Chairman of the Association for Foreign Investors (Shenzhen).
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Ken Tse’s Personal Photographic Memoir of the development of YICT
Kenneth has always been active in professional port and logistics activities. His key note address in the Port Development Conference in Long Beach California in 2005 received rave reviews by participants.In 2008, his presentation at the Nanjing Business School’s Peter Drucker Distinguished lecture series was a highlight of the program. As Adjunct Professor in the Dalian Maritime University, he presented to students on port development in China.
Appointed in 2009 an Honorary Senior Research Fellow by the University of Birmingham, he resided for 9 months in the UK as Visiting Scholar in Birmingham and co-taught a module on cooperative strategy (with Professor John Child). Their forthcoming book: The Dynamics of Corporate Co-evolution – a case study of Port Development in China will be published by Edward Elgar Publishers in the UK in 2012.
Since leaving his full time business career, he has become an active participant in many professional and academic institutions – Member of HKU’s Court; Audit Committee; Convocation Standing Committee; Business Council Member of the International Association of Chinese Management Research; Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Nanjing Business School; Adjunct Professor and Honorary Institute Fellow of the Asian Pacific Institute of Business, the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Since 2011, he has been conducting seminars for the Chinese University of Hong Kong, mainly in their executive education programs, as well as HKU’s MBA and IMBA programs. Kenneth also consults with senior executives on company strategy and leadership.
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GIL HALL OF FAME: RECOGNIZING DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE GLOBAL LOGISTICS COMMUNITY
AN EVENING SHARED BY FRIENDS & INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES
The Institute prepares for each Hall of Fame induction by meticulously researching the career of each laureate and with the help of the candidate set about identifying key people with whom they have shared their career journey.The names and biographies of each of the attendees is published in an aide-mémoire a copy of which can be read below.
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GIL HALL OF FAME: RECOGNIZING DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE GLOBAL LOGISTICS COMMUNITY
TRIBUTES TO KEN TSE FROM HIS COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS
“Kenneth is one of the few business leaders who really believes in people. Besides putting aside budget for people development, he personally spends time and efforts in grooming and developing his staff. He is always a role model for me as a leader who cares about his colleagues” Ms. Christine Yeung
“Creative, patient, fast learner and, best of all, a friend!”
Mr. Ken Everett
“ When Ken Tse was singing the song of Fair Current, Reverse Current in the annual dinner 1994, I guess Ken Tse was not able to forecast that he would have brought Yantian Terminals (YICT), from a tiny fishing village to a world-class port. The achievement of YICT is attributed by many driving forces, KT’s stickiness and leadership must be one of the keys Even if YICT gained such great success, Ken Tse would still dedicate himself on how to ensure YICT’ influence and help improve industrial standard of terminals services. He may be the forerunner to introduce 6-Sigma to this industry. With the long term implementation of Process Innovation and Improvement Program based on 6-Sigma, Ken Tse planted this methodology in the minds of YICT people, guiding them at various aspects of daily works. The methodology will continually ensure YICT influence in the industry.”
Mr. Alex Guan
“Ken, with no background of shipping, did not have the baggage of “Industry Practice or Industry Tradition”. He could easily think out of the box (Because he had never been inside the box) and say lets go direct to the end-users, customer of our customer. Ken is an action guy. Once he thought it was the direction (right thing to do), he empowers his people; trusts them, get them resources to do what was needed, i.e. travelling to USA and Europe to see end-users.”
Mr. Alan Au
“A great leader who always mentions the importance of people development, and he really put his money where his mouth is.”
Mr. Daniel Li
“He has made a lot of achievement in this industry. But for me, he is a very nice person firstly. Even though I was just a working staff in YICT, he would listen to our voices. He never shows less sincere when he shake hands with us and show his smile.
Ms. Olivia Li
“Kenneth is one of the few business leaders who really believes in people. Besides putting aside budget for people development, he personally spends time and efforts in grooming and developing his staff. He is always a role model for me as a leader who cares about his colleagues.”
Ms. Christine Yeung
HONG KONG MARCH 2012
DR. KENNETH TSE INDUCTED INTO THE INSTITUTE’S ‘HALL OF FAME
Speaking at the event Mr Tse Said:
“I feel really honoured to be included in GIL’s Hall of Fame. As a practitioner, I strived to survive the competitive business game first and foremost, little knowing that by treading uncharted paths did I embark upon innovative ways of marketing ports and managing them in a developing country environment. That GIL found my approach worthy of distillation and learning surprised me, but it has always been gratifying to share what one gained through many years of practice and exploration.”
In 2009, Kenneth Tse took early retirement from 35 years of business life to pursue his portfolio of academic and consulting/research interests in management. In July of that year, he received his doctorate from the University of Birmingham, UK, for his thesis titled “The Co-evolution of Strategy and Environment: A Study of Yantian Port”.For 16 years prior to the change, he was Managing Director of Yantian International Container Terminals Limited, a joint venture between the Hutchison Group and Yantian Port Group, one of China major state owned enterprises.
Starting from a green field in 1993, Kenneth led the joint venture to achieve preeminent status in the port industry, with throughput exceeding 10 million twenty foot equivalent units in 2007 (the largest single terminal in the world in 2007), and gaining worldwide recognition for its productivity improvements and service to customers.In 2005, the company was awarded the “Best Terminal of the Year” by the Global Institute of Logistics. In the same year, it received the “Best Terminal Award” from China’s National Port Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Communications. Such success also meant significant financial contributions of the business unit to Hutchison and Yantian Port Group.
ABOUT GIL HALL OF FAME
The Global Institute of Logistics Hall of Fame serves as a way to recognize distinguished members of the Global logistics community. Those elected to membership in to the Hall of Fame represent the highest achievement in their field, serving as models of what can be achieved and how. Induction as a Laureate into the Global Institute of Logistics Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award for individuals who have made a major, positive impact on the logistics profession as visionary business leaders with a strong commitment to the community. The Global Institute of Logistics Hall of Fame Laureates will serve as inspirations to current and future generations.
Each year the Institute invites the Executive Directors of its various councils and chapters globally to nominate individuals for induction into the Institutes Hall of Fame. These nominations feed discussions about what constitutes excellence and success in individual logisticians.
The goal is to improve logistics practice by identifying the outstanding logistician in the field over the course of a lifetime. Nominations are acted on by a panel of expert judges, who decide which nominee will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
To Read an in-depth report on Ken Tse’s Achievements and for further Coverage on the Induction Ceremony Click HERE