WHEN the Chiew brothers, William and Robert, founded the AIR-MARINE Group in Bintulu, Sarawak 43 years ago as a freight forwarder and customs brokerage agent, they did not foresee that the company would be where it is today.
Despite not having a fleet of cargo planes or ships, the company made it big on land.
AIR-MARINE Group was spot-on in anticipating the potential business opportunities from the establishment of Bintulu Port.
Today, the natural deep-sea port is the biggest container port in East Malaysia, the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in East Asia, the main export terminal for palm oil in the country and a fertiliser hub.
By capitalising on the port's growing importance over the years, AIR-MARINE Group has established itself as one of Sarawak's largest total logistics providers.
It offers one-stop cargo handling solutions that include land transport, intermodal container haulage, customs brokerage, freight forwarding, port terminal handling, warehousing and more.
Even in a niche oil and gas industry, the company has managed to make a name for itself following the industrialisation boom in the '90s.
AIR-MARINE Group seized the opportunity to specialise in an area that had almost no competition — the handling and transportation of ultra-heavy and oversized cargo such as offshore superstructures and heavy rigging and lifting.
AIR-MARINE Group currently operates a fleet of more than 100 trucks that deliver cargo from cars and construction materials to fertiliser and palm oil, all over Sarawak, often covering hundreds of kilometres a day.
It also owns and operates more than 170 units of heavy multi-axle machinery needed for some of the biggest jobs in the country — mobile and crawler cranes and self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs).
AIR-MARINE Group executive director Robert Chiew said: "Our trucks and machinery operate in a variety of environments that pose different challenges. At off-road sites and port yards where high torque and high load applications are normal, the lubricant has to protect engine parts from wear and tear.
"On highways, our trucks need good engine protection across higher speeds and engine temperatures.
"We have been using Shell Rimula lubricants from day one as they are able to deliver consistent protection and performance, reduce vehicle downtime and enhance our operations' efficiency.
"However, we have to deal with rising costs for everything from tyres and lubricants to spare parts and labour."
SHELL RIMULA LUBRICANT UPGRADE
Understanding the cost challenges faced by AIR-MARINE Group, Shell Malaysia and its distributor, KTS Trading Sdn Bhd, recommended that the company upgrade to a new synthetic technology engine oil, Shell Rimula R4 Plus 15W 40.
A field trial with AIR-MARINE Group's prime movers demonstrated the benefits of upgrading from the mineral oil to Shell Rimula R4 Plus 15W 40.
The synthetic technology engine oil was able to help extend oil drain intervals.
If 80 units of the company's trucks were to switch to the new engine oil, the company could enjoy potential cost savings of more than RM630,000 a year from lower engine oil consumption, lower vehicle downtime and higher productivity.
More importantly, the lower emissions would help reduce the fleet's carbon footprint, in line with the company's sustainability goals.
Shell Lubricant general manager for Malaysia and Singapore Nyon Kam Yew said: "Shell Rimula R4 Plus is an affordable synthetic technology engine oil that offers the right balance of cost and benefits.
"It is really the perfect solution for businesses that have to manage rising costs and the ability to meet their customers' expectations.
"AIR-MARINE Group handles some of the most demanding jobs in the industry and equipment downtime is simply not an option. We are delighted that we have the right Shell Rimula lubricant that meets their needs."
Robert added: "The Shell Malaysia and KTS teams that support us have become almost like friends. We are happy that they are always willing to go the extra mile to help us in technical matters and are quick to recommend solutions that deliver real value."