KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — TNT Express Worldwide (M) Sdn Bhd, a unit of Netherlands-based logistics group TNT NV, is upbeat on its operations in Malaysia and will continue to invest in its infrastructure.

Managing Director Gerry Power said the company recorded encouraging results in the first quarter which surpassed the performance in the same period last year, and was confident that the growth momentum would continue for the rest of 2010.

Despite the economic downturn last year, TNT Malaysia’s revenue grew by 19 per cent. This was attributed to its lean supply chain solutions that address the top concern of hi-tech and electronic businesses.

In an interview with Bernama recently, Power said TNT Malaysia expected to exceed the 19 per cent revenue growth achieved in 2009 with its enhanced services and expansion plans.

“We will continue to invest in our infrastructure, deploy new European specs prime movers and trailers on our ARN (Asia Road Network) fleet and maybe TNT planes into Malaysia this year to increase our capacity,” he said.

It is understood that TNT Malaysia is looking forward to receiving two Airbus A300 to connect its network in Asia to hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The planes will be deployed to connect cities likes Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Power also said TNT Malaysia would continue to provide cost-effective solutions — which have been very successful — for its customers especially in the hi-tech, electrical and machinery, oil and gas, and healthcare industries.

He said TNT Malaysia’s fastest growth sector was high technology, like wafers, semiconductors, chips, computers, as well as healthcare.

TNT Malaysia’s investment in its infrastructure in recent years have borne good results and provides a strong growth momentum into the future.

Among them were the opening of New Penang International Gateway next to the airport runway in October last year and the deployment of 40 new and bigger trucks in its ground operations.

Power said TNT Malaysia would spend RM5 million to RM6 million this year to support its expansion plans and the amount would be increased if demand drives up the needs.

Its parent TNT NV has four hubs in the Asia Pacific region, namely in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.

In Malaysia, TNT Malaysia has three gateways and 10 branches across the country, and a fleet size of 106 branded vehicles with an extension of 728 vehicles of its partners like PosLaju.

Power said TNT Malaysia’s partnership with PosLaju was a good collaboration as the strength of both companies complements each other. He hoped the relationship would continue to grow.

He said the partnership enables TNT Malaysia to be cost-effective and  efficient, improves its service level and facilitates technology and expertise exchange.

The partnership was inked in March 2009 whereby PosLaju was appointed to perform pick-up and delivery activities for TNT Express in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak. — Bernama