Nippon Express Opens New Hi-Speed Logistics Centre

Nippon Express Opens New Hi-Speed Logistics Centre

Date: 01/04/2007
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The new facility providing end-to-end supply chain solutions also strengthens long-standing ties between Singapore and the leading international air and ocean freight forwarder.

The new facility providing end-to-end supply chain solutions also strengthens long-standing ties between Singapore and the leading international air and ocean freight forwarder.


Three years ago, Nippon Express Co. Ltd cast its vote of confidence on Singapore's logistics industry by announcing plans to set up a new - its third - facility here to meet customers demand and constantly evolving supply chain methodologies.

The Hi-Speed Logistics Centre, opened earlier this year at the Free Trade Zone within the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS), brings the company's total amount of investments so far to a whopping S$110 million (US$71.9 million). Together with facilities catering to its ocean and air business respectively, Nippon Express now has some 60,000 sq m of warehouse space here and has cemented its position as a major player in the booming industry.

MOVING WITH THE TIMES

"The new facility is an important investment for our Singapore operations," says Takao Miyamoto, Managing Director, Nippon Express (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The state-of-the-art 28,700 sq m Centre will leverage Singapore's strategic location in the region to provide customers with increased solutions through end-to-end integration of both air and sea services. Besides warehousing, this includes international freight transportation, inventory management, trade facilitations, regional-transhipment and all ancillary services relevant to Vendor Management Inventory (VMI) and Hubbing Solution concepts.

"The Logistics industry has moved rapidly into a 'Borderless' era now, with manufacturers demanding VMI and Just in Time (JIT) services. Our Logistics services are designed with these manufacturers' and suppliers' needs in mind," says Jiro Nakamura, Executive Officer and Regional General Manager, Nippon Express Co., Ltd (Asia & Oceania Region) and Managing Director of Nippon Express (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. "Our logistics solutions are designed to and aimed at providing the most cost-effective and process-efficient options to customers located in different countries. Our service capabilities transcend mere inventory management and cargo-delivery."

The company also plans to achieve better customer solutions through end-to-end integration of both air and sea services. The Hi-Speed Logistics Centre, coupled with two facilities located strategically at both ends of Singapore, will allow the company to have better accessibility to both sea and air ports and to provide inter-modal services.

Nippon Express is also targeting new growth markets to add to its portfolio. According to Miyamoto, the Hi-Speed Logistics Centre will help the company attract business in the technology and biomedical sectors as well as some of the other growing industries such as manufacturing.

SINGAPORE-NIPPON EXPRESS PARTNERSHIP

The company decided on Singapore as its preferred site for a number of reasons. One of these is the fact that the Lion City is well connected. It is an ideal global meeting place for not only vessels and flights, but also suppliers and manufacturers.

In addition, Singapore continues to keep up with industry changes and is going all out to establish itself as an integrated logistics hub. "With globalisation, supply chains have become ever more complex and extended. Logistics players are now competing on end-to-end supply chain solutions. To help logistics companies stay competitive, Singapore will continue to strive to be a highly efficient node and control centre for global supply chains," says Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry.

Such measures resonate well with Nippon Express, which has its sights set on becoming a cutting edge total logistics service provider. "The construction of the Hi-Speed Logistics Centre Singapore signals Nippon Express' confidence and commitment to Singapore," says Miyamoto.