Interview with
Mr. Michael Angelo Torres
General Manager
WICE Logistics: what can you tell us, Michael about the history and ownership of the company in the Philippines?
WICE Philippines was established in mid 2024. It’s inception was a product of the development program by WICE Group to expand their network territory across Asia considering the organization’s footprint in the region. Our existing regional customers at that time influenced the decision to put up a branch in the Philippines to serve an already established requirement. The undertaking was carefully planned to optimize and possibly make a turn-key set-up and enable the newly established location to perform at its full capacity even after a very short period of time, due to a strong bond and relationship developed with a longtime partner/agent in the Philippines. So, the owner decided to enter a Joint Venture with a local partner with decades long industry expertise plus ownership of assets and equipment capable of supporting a Projects Logistics operation.
Does the name WICE have a special meaning?
It’s “Worldwide Industrial Commercial Enterprise.”
The customer service of many shipping lines nowadays is poor. That is what we hear from many interviewees. What is your opinion? Do you find the same development in the Philippines?
Shipping lines services should be better. However, nowadays their idea of guiding their customers towards using their online and digital tools have slowly eroded the direct interaction which somehow makes it more challenging for us to bridge the services to our customers. This is especially so in the Philippines where the transition was quite drastic, although we are trying our best to counter it by being more pro-active and trying to improve other channels available to us such as but not limited to relationship management of our direct contact with shipping lines frontlines and some key management officers.
I have looked at your website and understand that you also have offices in other Asian countries. What is your main focus in shipping & logistics and what is your main strength as you’ve got, of course, many competitors?
WICE Logistics is focused largely on General Freight while being true to the Company’s Vision to be a sustainable supply chain partner connecting business globally. Our team of professionals successfully managed to develop Verticals of Hi-Tech, Electronic Goods and Automotive Parts through our major trade lanes involving the US, China, Intra-Asia and Europe. Wice Philippines is also aligned on such plus the added focus on Projects and Heavy lift.
Are you currently a member of any international logistics networks?
Aside from Cross-Ocean which WICEPH is a member, our group led by WICE HQ is a member of WCA and other logistics networks.
In the Philippines, there are hundreds of islands. Does that represent a logistical challenge for you, and can you arrange deliveries to any destinations in the country?
That is very true. Dealing with a complex Archipelago like the Philippines poses a lot of challenges, which are made even more difficult due to the limited to poor available infrastructure. Our team has already embraced those challenges and continues to be able to develop solutions optimizing and connecting resources to address the requirements.
How do you feel about the market currently? What do you see when you look into your crystal ball?
The Philippines might experience a Bear Market through the end of 2026 due to the current controversy in Philippines politics that somehow affected investors confidence, but 2027 can possibly recover a little due to the economy focusing on the campaign period and might trigger higher commercial spending particularly related to the afore-mentioned activity.
How would it be best for our readers to get in touch with you?
Email: michael.torres@wicelogistics.com
Social Media Messaging Applications like WhatsApp and Viber and Mobile:
+63 9175736500
can reach also on company:
Phone +632 8361 7376