SECAUCUS, N.J.–Sinotrans, China’s largest logistics company, and National Retail Systems, Inc., a leading provider of logistics services to U.S. retailers, have formed a joint venture called SinoNRS to offer integrated factory-to-store logistics solutions to U.S. retailers.

This historic joint venture, which will operate as an exclusive partnership between Sinotrans and NRS for U.S. import retail logistics, was formally established at a signing ceremony last week in New Jersey. (Photos available upon request.)

SinoNRS will offer U.S. retailers a comprehensive suite of transportation, consolidation, warehousing, distribution, trade facilitation and value-added services, such as ticketing, labeling and packaging. The joint venture will leverage the leading domestic logistics position of Sinotrans in China with the leading U.S. domestic retail market position of NRS to create a seamless logistics system for end-to-end control from inland factory locations in China to retail stores throughout the United States.

“Already a leading integrated logistics player in China, Sinotrans has started to expand our services overseas in the past few years. Because the United States and Europe are such important trading partners with China, we must seek business partners in these regions that fit our strategic choices for business development,” said Mr. Zhang Jianwei, President of Sinotrans Ltd. “We carefully examined various options and chose NRS as our strategic partner because of their strong reputation for logistics excellence, technology and innovation in retail logistics. As an asset-based provider, they complement Sinotrans’ strength in China with equal service capabilities in the United States.”

“U.S. retailers are under increasing pressure to shorten their time to market and lower supply chain costs in order to keep up with consumer demands,” said Raymond Wisniewski, President and COO of NRS. “Combining the market strengths of Sinotrans and NRS, SinoNRS will provide the three critical levers for logistics success: control, speed and value. No other competitor will have better capabilities in China or more experience in U.S.
retail.”

Sinotrans is China’s largest logistics provider with more than 50 years of experience in transportation and logistics, a strong customer base and a world-renowned brand. The company operates more than 1,600 distribution facilities in China with a staff of over 18,500 employees, offering integrated ocean transportation, air freight, trucking, distribution, express services and third party logistics services. The Sinotrans network covers all major areas in China from North to South coasts to inland locations and includes the largest customs clearance facility network in China.

NRS operates one of the largest distribution facilities in the New York area close to Port Elizabeth, N.J., including several transload facilities, warehouses and a state-of-the-art automated cross-dock that is among the most advanced of its kind in the world. NRS also operates multiple facilities in the Los Angeles area, including an automated distribution center and over 1 million square feet of distribution space within 10 miles from the Port of Long Beach. A new Savannah transload facility opening later this year as part of the company’s Gateway Ports strategy will add to NRS’presence in the Southeast with facilities in Greensboro, N.C.; Tampa, Fla.; and Miami.