Inside Track: Building Trust Through Global Connections

Lucas Lee Events, Featured, Uncategorized

A successful network is built on one thing above all else: trust. And trust is earned not just through emails and calls, but by showing up—meeting partners at their own locations and understanding their local context.

For the past 17 years, Tandem Global Logistics has held its annual conference at a different location around the world. Last year, our partners gathered in The Netherlands where you will also find our headquarters; next April, we’ll meet in Brazil. These gatherings are designed for more than just presentations—they are about building and strengthening one-on-one relationships, solving ongoing issues, and creating new opportunities together. Unlike most other networks who are usually non-exclusive, Tandem is unique in that each country is represented by only one company, that can provide the full range of freight forwarding related services, ensuring commitment, focus, and exclusivity.

This fall, Canaan Group (Tandem Canada) has taken on a new challenge: visiting every Tandem office worldwide at least once. The purpose is simple—relationships matter most when built face-to-face. As Patrick and Perry Lo have built Canaan over the last 27 years (as a second-generation family business dating back to 1981), the foundation has always been clear: “People do business with people, not businesses.”

First Stop: The Philippines

One of the first visits was to Orient Freight International (Tandem Philippines) in Makati City, the historic and vibrant business district of Manila. Patrick met with Fred Santos, General Manager (formerly with Kuehne + Nagel for 8 years), alongside his talented team:

  • Helen Mapoy, Senior Freight Manager
  • Archie Vidon, Strategic Business Lead Cold Chain
  • Cresencio S. Martin, Strategic Business Lead Agri Logistics
  • Karen Gojar, CFS Manager
  • Annie Belino, Logistics Manager

What many may not know is that Orient Freight is part of a larger conglomerate of over 15 companies, making them a strong partner not only in logistics but also in diversified industries.

Why Southeast Asia Matters

With U.S. tariffs reshaping global trade, many Canadian companies are actively diversifying beyond the U.S. and China, turning their attention to Southeast Asia. Manufacturing is shifting to Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and importantly, the Philippines. The Philippines offers a unique advantage: low operating costs combined with an English-speaking workforce—a powerful asset in global trade.

During this visit, Patrick also met with Charleen Ferrer, Trade Commissioner from the Government of Canada, reflecting our commitment to engage not only with our Tandem partners but also with local trade consulates in every city we visit.

Looking Ahead

We look forward to deepening our partnership with Orient Freight International and continuing our global journey to strengthen Tandem’s worldwide network. At Canaan Group, we believe that the best opportunities come when we take the time to meet people where they are—because strong businesses are always built on strong relationships.