Mober sees strong demand for same-day delivery service
FILIPINO start-up company Mober Technology Pte. is aiming to increase the number of delivery bookings to 1,000 per day in Metro Manila, as it sees growth in the furniture and appliance market as a driver of demand for its same-day delivery service.
Mober Founder and CEO Dennis Ng said the company is seeing its bookings grow by 20-25% a month, with an average of 250 delivery bookings a day in Metro Manila.
In an interview, Mr. Ng said the company is differentiating itself from competitors by specializing in bigitem delivery.
“Depending on our marketing, on our information dissemination, we can reach about 1,000 bookings per day,” he said.
Mober is also ramping up its fleet expansion to cope with the increased demand.
“We’re trying to increase our fleet, at least up to 500 for the next quarter, from 250,” he added.
Mr. Ng said Mober is bullish as it sees strong demand for same-day delivery of appliances and furniture, given the higher disposable income of Filipinos who furnish their residences with appliances and furniture.
“The appliances now are cheaper compared before. It’s made affordable,” he said.
Mober also introduced a cargosharing strategy, where customers can choose between three time periods in a day when he or she wants to have the product delivered. Mober vans will be on standby and will leave at the selected time regardless of the number of delivery points.
Mr. Ng said this maximizes the use of trucks and at the same times provides more revenue to the drivers.
“We feel that we are able to maximize one delivery truck. At the same time we’re able to give more revenue to our van partners,” he said.
Mober announced earlier this year it received capital infusion from 2GO Group, Inc., linking it to the various business of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC). SM has an interest in 2GO after it acquired last year a 34.5% interest in 2GO parent Negros Navigation Company (Nenaco). Mober vans are now readily available at SM Appliance Center outlets.
Mr. Ng said the investment from 2GO also helped in improving their software.
Mober is set to expand to Cebu City this month, and to Davao City by year-end.
With the expansion, Mr. Ng said they hope to have a next round of funding.