APL Logistics and Sumitomo Warehouse formed a strategic alliance to jointly market their global supply chain services.

Under the agreement, Osaka-based Sumitomo will offer its warehousing and other logistics capabilities in Japan to APL Logistics customers.

APL Logistics, part of Singapore’s NOL Group, will make its global services available to Sumitomo customers. The alliance partners said they’ll jointly market services and offer preferential rates to clients.

“We’re delighted with this alliance because it dramatically strengthens the capabilities of both organizations,” said Jim McAdam, president of APL Logistics. “What’s more, it permits us to support each other through business leads and joint sales efforts with a broad international client base.”

The partners bring complementary functions in supply chain management. APL Logistics provides origin, destination and transport services to multinational clients in major world markets. Century-old Sumitomo provides a range of supply chain services in Japan emphasizing integrated distribution.

APL Logistics will provide services to Sumitomo customers through its supply-chain network outside of Japan, including purchase order management, buyers’ consolidation management, value added services, factory load management, customs brokerage, freight forwarding and trucking.

Sumitomo will provide APL Logistics customers in Japan with deconsolidation services, warehousing and distribution, transportation management, value added services and customs brokerage.

“Our aim is to optimize our customers’ total supply chain,” said Shoichi Abbe, president of Sumitomo Warehouse. “Through this alliance we can better provide them logistics strategies and efficient logistics services from a global perspective.”

     Source: JOC