Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc. Expands its Chicago Warehouse

Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc. (hereinafter YL-US) relocated its Chicago branch on May 20, 2013, to a site about 15 km from Chicago O’Hare International Airport with an expanded warehouse area of approximately 18,000 sqm, more than double its previous warehouse space. With this move,YL-US has now completed its logistics operation for a collection and delivery base capable of handling distribution demands for various products, including automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, and perishables, for the entire Midwest.

With a larger inventory storage area measuring 9,000 sqm in size, the new warehouse, located west of Chicago O’Hare Airport, can satisfy warehousing demand for the entire Midwest. The Chicago branch handles a wide range of cargo, including Class 3 hazardous items, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and perishables, in addition to automotive parts and aircraft components. YL-US has improved the branch’s logistical functions through an inventory management system and other IT solutions, and has acquired TAPA (*) certification in the Class A category as well as C-TPAT (**) certification. The new warehouse has the space and capabilities necessary for use as a collection and delivery base in the Midwest, where various products and materials are assembled for distribution.

In a further step, YL-US improved its cargo handling efficiency at the branch by using a container freight station (CFS) there for both air freight and ocean freight. Consolidated delivery and cross-docking (***) of cargo that arrive on the same day from different modes of transportation has become easier as a result of this measure. Anticipating expanded demand in the future, YL-US also plans to increase the number of shuttle trucks connecting the Chicago branch with the Laredo Logistics Center, a cargo gateway for the United States and Mexico, based on customer requests.

(*)TAPA
Transported Asset Protection Association
This refers to a nonprofit association of security professionals including persons in charge of security at high-tech companies. Class A is the highest certification awarded by TAPA

(**)C-TPAT
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism This refers to a security program of CBP that is intended to strengthen international supply chain and security at the national border with the United States, as a voluntary attempt pursued jointly by the government and industry.

(***)Cross-dock
A method whereby cargo is collected from several vendors and amassed at a logistics center, then sorted by destination and delivered.