Rhenus and Sankyo create joint logistics venture

The Rhenus Group and Sankyo Corporation have registered a joint venture called Rhenus Sankyo Logistics, focusing on tapping into the Japanese logistics market.

The joint venture will mainly handle imports and exports to and from Japan, but also provide domestic services including distribution and warehousing in the country.

Tobias Bartz, a member of the Rhenus board, said: “Japan is the fourth largest importer and exporter in the world. Because of its specific business culture, however, it’s difficult for foreign companies to establish a foothold in the market; so an experienced local partner is an enormous support.”

Collaborating with the Sankyo Corporation would enable Rhenus to expand its Asia-Pacific network, he added.

Sankyo is part of the Fujiki Group, a network of firms with more than 20 companies in Japan and worldwide. The companies within the Fujiki Group mainly specialise in port services, multimodal distribution services and transport operations.

In addition to the largest shareholder, Fujiki, other companies such as NYK, Mitsubishi Logistics and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have holdings in Sankyo.

Rhenus, which holds two thirds of the shares in the joint venture, and Sankyo are also introducing existing Japanese business to the joint firm.

Rhenus Asia and the American Sankyo subsidiary Clearfreight have already been working together for many years.