Global logistics expert has grown to provide air and sea freight services from three of Japan’s major economic hubs
Gebrüder Weiss, a 500-year-old international transport and logistics company, marks its 25th year of providing air and sea freight transports in Japan. Since the company incorporated the Asian-Pacific region into its global network in 1999, Gebrüder Weiss has grown to offer its air and sea freight services in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya which is strategically positioned between two of the country’s most populous cities.
“The decision to gain a foothold in Japan has turned out to be the right strategy in the long term. Companies in the island nation manufacture their products for recipients all over the world. So, their goods are present in numerous supply chains within the Gebrüder Weiss network,” explains Michael Zankel, Regional Manager East Asia / Oceania at Gebrüder Weiss.
Owing to its strong industrial base, Japan had developed into one of the world’s most successful economies by the end of the 1980s, and today ranks fourth in terms of GDP. “It therefore made sense to incorporate Japan and the Asian-Pacific region into the global network of Gebrüder Weiss to offer these companies solutions for their logistics requirements,” recalls Stefan Aebi, Country Manager Japan at Gebrüder Weiss. There are five major transshipment centers strategically located for sea freight transports with container ports in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaka. The airports in Tokyo and Osaka offer connections to the air freight network.
Congratulations on the 25th anniversary also came from long-time customers that Gebrüder Weiss has provided with transport services since the company’s early years in Japan. “Gebrüder Weiss has always supported us reliably with excellent logistics services in times of the pandemic and other global challenges. We have gained a lot of added value from the company’s professionalism and innovative power, and we greatly appreciate this trusting partnership,” says Hisaya Shiga, Assistant to the Head of Sales – Functional Clothing at Kurabo, a Japanese textile and chemical manufacturer. Other customers come from the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors. But the activities of the 40-strong team in Japan are not limited to specific industries. “We also take care of furniture, food and beverages,” Stefan Aebi explains.
In year 25 after entering the market, Gebrüder Weiss offers its air and sea freight services at three locations in Japan’s major economic hubs: in the capital Tokyo, in Osaka and in Nagoya, a central hub of the automotive, aviation and textile industries. The Southeast and East Asian network is complemented by branches in South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.
