APL Logistics has formed an alliance with Japan's Sumitomo Warehouse Co to jointly market 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 organisations," 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."

APL Logistics provides origin, destination and transport services to multinational clients in major world markets. Century-old Sumitomo offers a range of supply chain services in Japan emphasising integrated distribution.

APL Logistics' global network will provide services to Sumitomo customers outside of Japan. The services include 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 de-consolidation services, warehousing and distribution, transportation management, value-added services and customs brokerage.

Shoichi Abbe, president of Sumitomo Warehouse Co added, "Through this alliance we can better provide them (customers) logistics strategies and efficient logistics services from a global perspective."

 Source: shipping online