Werner expands investment in China

US company Werner Global Logistics, part of Werner Enterprises, has announced it bought a stake in Chinese transport business Hercules Logistics.

“We couldn’t be more excited to invest in and partner with one of the best transportation and logistics firms in China,” said Derek Leathers, Werner’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

“Throughout the last six years, we have expanded our business relationship and worked closely with Ken Mei, Chairman and CEO of Hercules, and his management team.

“We understand the needs of our customers to better manage their supply chains involving the Asian market, as well as their desire to further expand into China’s growing domestic market.”

Founded in 2001, Hercules is one of the fastest growing logistics companies in China and has recently been recognised as one of the top 100 logistics companies in the Middle Kingdom.

Ken Mei, Chairman of the Shenzhen-based business, commented: “We are very happy to formalize our long-standing relationship and operations with Werner Global Logistics.

“The customers of Hercules and Werner now have a combined asset-based international capability that is unique in the marketplace. We see significant opportunities to serve our diverse customer base, particularly in North America, with Werner as an integrated part of our global network.

“I am impressed with the long history of Werner’s success and its continued commitment to China and international logistics. I look forward to expanding our relationship with Werner to serve our customers.”

Hercules provides logistics and transportation services in the areas of long haul and port dray trucking services, forwarding and freight management, contract logistics, integrated supply chain, warehouse distribution and customs brokerage.

The combined network of Werner Global Logistics and Hercules will represent more than 20 offices, warehouse and logistics centres in China and a combined network of over 1,000 trucks operating in China and approximately 7,100 trucks and over 23,000 trailers operating within North America.

To date, both Hercules and Werner Global Logistics have grown organically and provide customers with logistics solutions through proprietary supply chain management platforms. The integration of the comprehensive Hercules Chinese logistics platform and Werner’s global supply chain management system will provide one of the most comprehensive door-to-door logistics platforms available, according to Werner.