Commonwealth Kokubu Logistics turned a workforce redesign into four transformation awards in one year

Commonwealth Kokubu Logistics, a Singapore cold chain logistics operator formed through a partnership with Japan’s Kokubu Group, rebuilt its operating model from scratch under an internal movement it calls reimagineCKL, combining new digital tools with a redesigned, people first approach to hiring warehouse staff.

The tools include IntelliFlow, a control tower system for shipment visibility; SyncGate for dock scheduling; Cognify for automated documentation; and teleoperations, which let staff drive forklifts remotely rather than working inside the cold room itself. The company frames the last of these as making warehouse jobs more accessible, since operators no longer need to withstand subzero conditions for a full shift.

Commonwealth Kokubu Logistics says employee engagement scores have risen steadily since 2021. The work was recognised with the Special Recognition Award for Sustainability Innovation at the 31st Enterprise 50 Awards in 2025, alongside Gold in Excellence in Business Transformation at the HR Excellence Awards, Gold in Excellence in Transformation and Innovation at the 18th Singapore HR Awards, and Best Cold Chain Service Provider at the LogiSYM Awards. “Transformation begins the moment you choose to see potential where others see limitations,” said Audrey Koh, the company’s Group Chief Human Resource Officer and Group Chief Transformation Officer.

For an SME, folding workforce redesign into an operations and technology investment, rather than a separate philanthropic programme, is a different route into territory that Corporate Social Responsibility foundations at larger companies usually occupy alone.