by Ling Cao and Rachel Liu

On April 9^th, JD Logistics, an important partner of Xiaomi, provided a smart and integrated supply chain solution to ensure orders for Xiaomi’s 10-year anniversary sales promotion. In addition to JD’s couriers, JD’s autonomous delivery robot will also deliver Xiaomi products in Wuhan on the second day following the official end of the lockdown in the city.

JD Logistics’ integrated supply chain capability is highly relevant for Xiaomi’s product ecosystem. Based on 5G, big data and AI, both companies are integrating smart logistics with industrial supply chain. Since 2017, JD Logistics and Xiaomi have cooperated in warehousing, delivery, cargo transportation as well as distribution, covering Xiaomi’s product lines including cellphones, laptops, TVs, air conditioners, routers, sweeping robots and more.

JD Logistics also provides tailored solutions for Xiaomi’s product lines covering small, medium-sized items and bulky items. From October 2017, JD’s fully-automated logistics park in Shanghai has played a role in the standard supply chain operations (from inbound to outbound) for Xiaomi’s small items such as cellphones. In addition, JD’s Tianjin Asia No.1 logistics park and Dongguan Asia No.1 logistics park help Xiaomi handle bulky items and medium-sized items, respectively.

On February 13^th, JD worked with Xiaomi to hold an online conference for the release of the new Xiaomi 10, the company’s leading 5G product, via JD Live, given that brands are unable to hold offline press conferences due to COVID-19. Sales of Xiaomi 10 quickly surpassed RMB 100 million following the official launch of the product on February 14^th. JD also provided contactless delivery service for customers and saw a JD customer in Beijing become the first Xiaomi 10 user in China.

 

(ling.cao@jd.com; liuchang61@jd.com)

by Ling Cao

On April 7^th, JD shared its insight about COVID-19 in China and how JD has responded during an online webinar hosted by LLamasoft, a leading provider of enterprise supply chain design and decision-making solutions, and one of JD’s strategic partners.

During the webinar, Alfred Yao, supply chain optimization director of JD Logistics shared how JD adopted systematic measures to ensure consistent operations of the supply chain during the epidemic, such as prioritizing employee protection, establishing an emergency response program coordinating policies and efforts across functions, and employing flexible methods to increase contactless delivery, as well as applying intelligent algorithms to enable smarter delivery routing, in order to circumvent bottlenecks, to increase efficiency, and to prioritize supply to where strategic resources are most urgently needed.

Lei Zhou, strategic planning director of JD Logistics explained that the strong logistics infrastructure and six major networks JD has had for years helped the company in the response. “Wuhan is the hub for JD’s Central China region, but with challenges (like route suspension) we managed to redirect the volume to other DCs（distribution centers） nearby, such as Nanjing,” he said. “We saw orders increase a lot during this period, but were able to handle them. That’s mainly due to two factors: Firstly, based on an AI-enabled system, we try best to forecast where demand will be. Secondly, we leverage our network to put inventory nearest to customers. In this way, we can easily re-plan the inventory to respond to the special situation.” Zhou added.

Alfred also shared ideas for global companies as to how to quickly adapt to emergencies, advising companies to accelerate the digitalization of the business, to further boost the level of automation, to perform supply chain scenario planning and to make stronger contingency plans, all of which makes the supply chain more flexible and robust. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders to enable a global supply chain community.

As far as how JD has helped partners during the epidemic, Alfred explained, “A global Fortune 500 company procured 55,000 bottles of hand sanitizer from overseas, and asked JD Logistics to transport them from Singapore to Shanghai by air. JD Logistics managed to complete the DGs(‘dangerous goods, such as many types of disinfectant) packaging and certification, and secured in the cargo space amid massive reduction of flights, and completed the customs clearance in the fastest way possible to have the goods delivered to the customer.”

 

(ling.cao@jd.com)

by Ling Cao

After 76 days of lockdown, Wuhan is back in business on April 8^th. This photo gallery highlights JD couriers who are part of the action.

In January, a JD courier was driving his delivery vehicle on the empty streets of Wuhan. Now in April, the crowds offer a warm welcome back!

 

 In February, a JD courier was delivering on the streets of Wuhan, equipped with protective clothing and goggles. One morning in April, he donned a mask and visited a small restaurant which had just reopened. On March 23^rd and 24^th, Yong’en Huang, another JD courier got two days’ leave and slept for a whole day. He took a moment to send a message to his family in Xiaogan, which is 60 kilometers northwest of Wuhan, to tell them everything is alright in Wuhan.

 

JD’s robots joining couriers to work on the frontline. They normally work on the frontline, and are also considered heroes of the city of Wuhan.

 

Whishing past the small familiar convenience store. Long time no see!

 

Children have grown. Again, long time no see.

 

(ling.cao@jd.com)

by Martin Li

A  BBC report today on Wuhan lifting its lockdown said “delivery drivers became a vital lifeline” during the city’s lockdown, which ended on April 8.

The report highlighted the personal experience and perspective of Jia Shengzhi, head courier at JD’s Huangpu delivery station in Wuhan, who continued to deliver during the lockdown.

“During the past two months, almost no-one was on the streets,” Jia was quoted in the report. “We sometimes received phone calls from customers asking for help such as sending medicine to their ageing parents.”

Jia worried that such orders wouldn’t reach the customers in time if sent via the normal shipping methods.

“So, I rode on my scooter, went to the pharmacy, picked up the medicine and took it to his father,” he told the media.

Jia also encouraged all citizens to “continue protecting themselves by wearing masks, taking their temperatures, scanning the mobile health code apps, always washing hands and avoiding gatherings.”

For the full version of the BBC report: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52197054

 

(bjlihao3@jd.com)