HAVI Freight Management receives accolade at SBR Management Excellence Awards

The company’s VP Bernard Lim won in the Executive of the Year - Logistics category, which recognises its significant achievements and leadership.

HAVI Freight Management (S) Pte Ltd (HFM) won the SBR Management Excellence Awards, recognising the leadership of Vice President Bernard Lim, as well as his exceptional expertise in managing global supply chain disruptions and enhancing operational efficiency in the ocean freight sector. 

Over the past three years, Lim has led HFM through unprecedented challenges, including the US West Coast and Canadian port workers' strike, the Red Sea crisis, and ongoing supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership has enabled the company to continue providing sustainable and alternative solutions for customers, ensuring a steady supply of goods to restaurants worldwide. 

In 2022, Lim was appointed pillar lead at the Global Ocean Freight Council of a fast food chain, which accounts for approximately 70% of HFM's business. Lim spearheaded ocean freight strategies with ocean carriers, focussing on driving the best value in terms of cost, quality, and service. His efforts have played a pivotal role in ensuring assured supply and service for the fast food company and its suppliers across the globe.

Under Lim’s leadership, HFM has delivered impressive results for the fast food chain’s Asia Business Unit, achieving $29.6m in savings for 2023, a 32% reduction in ocean freight costs, and an additional $15.2m in savings for 2024, which represents a 23.2% reduction. 

Lim has embraced digital transformation and technological solutions to drive HFM’s operational efficiency. Since 2022, HFM has invested heavily in data analytics, real-time tracking, and optimised inventory management to mitigate the impact of global supply chain disruptions. By sourcing local contingency products and rerouting shipments through a trusted network of ocean carriers, HFM has ensured that its customers experience minimal disruption, regardless of external challenges.

Lim also initiated the enhancement of HFM's key operating system, Cargowise 1, and supported the introduction of internal and external apps, including myHFM and 4Kites, to improve communication, transparency, and real-time shipment visibility.

In addition to his focus on customer satisfaction and business results, Lim has been a champion of employee well-being and engagement. In the aftermath of the pandemic, Bernard implemented a flexible workplace programme, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure the continued productivity of HFM’s workforce. The programme has led to significant improvements in employee engagement and retention, with turnover rates declining year-on-year and a more stable and resilient workforce in place.

Through his leadership, HFM has also demonstrated the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions, leveraging data and technology to stay ahead of the curve and maintain strong relationships with key partners.

The SBR Management Excellence Awards recognises the most exceptional business leaders, innovators, teams, and initiatives that drive growth and make a positive impact on both the business operations and its workforce in Singapore. 

The awards programme, now in its 10th year, acknowledges positive change and honours those who have successfully propelled their companies to new heights of success whilst fostering a nurturing environment that positively influences their employees.

The SBR Management Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].