Michael Janich explains why Hong Kong was the ideal choice to bolster the global expansion of Singapore-listed Noble Group

Although listed in Singapore, Noble has its global headquarters in Hong Kong. It runs its network of 30 offices - spread across 18 countries and six continents - from Hong Kong.

"When the company looked to set up a centralised and very reliable SAN system, it was only natural that we would choose Hong Kong as it is a great place to do business and has all the technology support and infrastructure," said chief technology officer Michael Janich.
 
As the region's logistics hub, Hong Kong offers the best complement of IT service providers to ensure a smooth interface between the group's head office and far-flung global operations, he added. Not surprisingly, both the SAN platform and back-up systems are based in two different and secure locations in Hong Kong itself.

Noble has six operating divisions: agriculture, metals, minerals and ores, energy, logistics, finance and technology. "An integrated storage network is vital to manage the increasingly huge volumes of data generated by the group's global operations," Mr Janich said. "It aims to link producers and consumers worldwide by seamlessly integrating the sourcing, marketing, processing and shipment of both agricultural and industrial products."

A vital move in global expansion

Like many fast expanding companies around the world, the move to set up the SAN was vital as the company, which has a staff of about 600 worldwide, has been growing at a phenomenal pace in recent years. Its previous storage infrastructure could not cope with the exponential growth in data as growth was recorded in all areas of business.

"Noble is a fast growing company that has recorded an average of 50 per cent annual growth in the past two years. A lot of transactions are done electronically, particularly via email. There has been increased use of many multimedia applications, particularly complex graphics by our sales and marketing staff," Mr Janich said.

Last year, Noble Group posted a net profit of HK$234 million (US$30 million), an increase of 28 per cent from 2001, while turnover hit HK$23 billion (US$2.96 billion), up 61 per cent on the previous year. Already, in the first quarter of this year, Noble has reported a turnover of nearly HK7.78 billion (US$1billion) with net profit topping HK$62 million (US$8 million).

Noble has been named as one of Asia's Best Managed Companies and one of Asia's Best Employers of 2003 by FinanceAsia and Dow Jones respectively.
 
Related link:
Noble Group http://www.thisisnoble.com/newnoble/