Ninja Van Philippines chief executive Vin Perez has overseen the company’s remarkable growth over the past six years. Balancing work and a personal life, Perez brings a unique perspective to the industry.
A graduate of UP Diliman’s Industrial Engineering program, Perez initially aimed for a global career. After obtaining his MBA at the Harvard Business School, he recognized the potential of Southeast Asia’s burgeoning e-commerce sector. This led him back to the Philippines in 2018, where he joined Ninja Van, which was then a third-party logistics startup with less than 100 riders.
Today, Ninja Van Philippines grew into a network of 6,000 to 8,000 riders, making it a major player in the logistics landscape.
E-commerce remains central to Ninja Van’s success, but the 34-year-old Perez is a constant innovator. Recognizing the inefficiency of businesses managing their own resupply logistics, he spearheaded the company’s expansion into B2B services.
One of the first B2B contracts Ninja Van landed into was that with PickUp Coffee. Traditionally, the brand handle deliveries themselves, a time-consuming and resource-draining process. Ninja Van helped the cafe brand leverage its existing e-commerce network to streamline B2B deliveries.
Another successful partnership was with The Generics Pharmacy, a leading healthcare brand. Micromanaging the distribution system placed a huge burden on the brand. Ninja Van’s nationwide network stepped in as a game-changer, ensuring timely and reliable delivery of essential medication, ultimately improving healthcare access.
This approach has proven successful, with companies like PickUp Coffee and The Generics Pharmacy partnering with Ninja Van to optimize logistics. The company now actively engages with MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to help them overcome logistical hurdles and focus on core business functions.
Underserved areas
The rise of e-commerce has been particularly impactful in tier two and three cities, areas beyond major metropolitan centers. Perez acknowledges the challenges of delivering to these remote locations, yet he sees a tremendous opportunity.
Ninja Van’s expansion into these regions brings essential goods and services to a wider population, contributing to a more inclusive economy.
Perez emphasizes collaboration’s importance in the logistics industry as Ninja Van consistently pushes boundaries. The logistics firm became the first accredited courier partner for the Supreme Court, a pivotal achievement.
The partnership streamlined the delivery of critical legal documents, saving lawyers valuable time and expediting legal processes.
Future of logistics
With a keen eye on the future, Perez is exploring new ventures for Ninja Van. One initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), involves teaming up with farmers to establish e-Bagsakan, online trading posts that connect them directly to retailers.
This could revolutionize the agricultural sector by ensuring better margins for farmers and fresher produce for consumers.
Perez’ journey with Ninja Van unveils his passion for innovation and his dedication to transforming the logistics landscape in the Philippines.
He acknowledges that the journey wasn’t without its challenges. There were missteps along the way, lessons learned through trial and error. But what truly defines Ninja Van’s success is the team’s unwavering resilience. They’ve embraced a culture of continuous improvement, learning from mistakes and adapting to overcome obstacles.
Despite the challenges, Perez has consistently strived to find solutions, building a company that is not only a leader in e-commerce deliveries but also a key player in B2B logistics and a champion for economic inclusivity.