In this month’s edition of The Voice of Atlas, we had the pleasure of speaking with Tingting Zheng from Frienco Logistics Co ltd in China. Tingting’s journey is as dynamic as it is inspiring- starting in the music industry and eventually finding her true calling in logistics. With a focus on resilience and authentic connections, she shares insights in Frienco Logistics’s growth, navigating global logistics and building lasting client relationships.
How did you get started in the logistics industry, and what has your journey been like up to this point?
Actually my first job is not in the logistics industry. I was working in EMI, an UK music record for two years. I was a really interesting at the beginning, got to see lots of super stars, got as many concert to see as you wish. But maybe I am not an artist style, I got bored; and I need more adventures to cheer my life up. Soon a good opportunity came to me, a Ningbo forwarding company wanted to set up a branch office in Madrid. Gosh, this is one of dreaming city. I grabbed this job immediately, though by then I knew nothing about logistics or forwarding. In 2007, I officially joined the logistics industry.
Gradually, I found that logistics is really interesting. Different things happen every day, and there are all different challenges every day. Little by little, I became more and more professional. Finally, in 2012, I started my own company Frienco: Friendship and Cooperation. This is my philosophy of career. For the past 12 years, we always carry this principle in our work. The core team we got together are still with us, the customers we started with are still with us after 12 years.
What valuable life lesson has your experience in logistics taught you?
This career has taught me numerous valuable lessons—fortunately, most of them good ones. It’s here that I met my Mr. Right; we began as work partners and later became life partners, transforming Frienco from a joint venture into a true family business.
Above all, the most important lesson I’ve learned is to embrace change with an open mind. Change is the only unchanging theme. Never say no, before you try.
If you could change one thing about the logistics industry, what would it be and what impact do you think it would have?
I would like to enhance the training system for logistics staff, making it more standardized and comprehensive. With better-trained people, the quality of service would improve significantly. We’d see fewer mistakes in handling goods and better customer service overall. It’s like having a team of well-trained athletes instead of amateurs in a big game.
How does your company set itself apart from competitors in the logistics space?
We are just a normal forwarder, but also a truly special one in China. Our main focus is on serving direct customers. We don’t have a large team or a particularly powerful background, but we rely on our professionalism and attitude. Over the years, we’ve served world-class companies, and many customers have introduced their friends and business partners to us on their own. Our principle is simple: they are our friends first, and our customers second. Thinking from our customers’ perspective is essential to starting good work.
How do you view the Chinese market for the rest of this year leading into 2025?
The general environment in 2025 won’t be particularly good in China. Still, I don’t think we need to worry too much compared to a world-class company that has to support numerous people. Just doing the job well is what matters. For small and medium-sized companies, I believe there is still plenty of room to survive. The key lies in how leaders guide their employees and help the company find a different path. Our industry will never disappear, and AI cannot replace a forwarder’s job, as world trade is essential for everyone.
What motivated you to join Atlas network, and has it met your expectations so far?
Actually, we haven’t considered joining a new network for a really long time. I had noticed the Apollo network for a few years, but there were no allocations so far. So when Freya told me there’s a vacancy in Atlas this year, I thought, yup, even better. So here we are.
When you’re not focusing on logistics, how do you like to unwind and enjoy your free time?
I like traveling, hiking, trying new food, and getting to know new life subjects. I love experimenting with different businesses and seeing them work out well. I also enjoy trying different lifestyles.
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
I would like to be Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, for a day. I’d look at my space projects, see how far my AI has progressed, and review my cash flow to find good investment opportunities.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and insights with us, Tingting!
