DB Schenker’s joint venture in China with Shenyang Jinbei Automotive (SJA) has opened a multi-user logistics facility in the northern city of Shenyang, one of the country’s main automotive manufacturing areas.
According to Schenker Jinbei Logistics, the Shenyang Logistics Center is the second biggest logistics centre in China, covering 42,000 sq.m, and the joint venture has invested $30m in the facility.
The facility was constructed in two stages: the first section, covering 19,000 sq.m, was ready at the end of 2016 while the second, comprising another 23,000 sq.m, was finished on December 12th.
“The completion of the Shenyang Logistics Center is the culmination of years of planning and execution,” said Thomas Sørensen, CEO North/Central China, Schenker China, speaking at an event to mark the opening that was also attended by SJA president Liu Hong (pictured). “It is another important milestone for us as a leading logistics provider in China, further manifesting our growing footprint in the world’s largest automotive market.”
The company said the centre provided the full range of logistics services including customised logistics solutions, supply chain management, pick and pack, just-in-time/sequence inventory, inventory management, quality control, crossdocking and vendor managed inventory. The joint venture already provides services to a number of automotive customers in Shenyang and a spokesperson for the company told Automotive Logistics that the main focus would be on servicing the logistics needs of tier suppliers.
The warehouse is in immediate proximity to the plants operated by BMW’s joint venture with Brilliance Automotive – BMW Brilliance – and will be supporting production there.
“At the moment, the majority of the automotive customers are with the inbound logistics [operation] for the BMW-Brilliance engine plant and the vehicle manufacturing plant in Tiexi. The facility, however, is also available for aftermarket logistics,” the spokesperson said.
The multi-user facility will also be supporting customers from other industries, however.
“The expected throughput will strongly depend on the customer and industry mix once the facilities are fully utilised,” said the spokesperson. “The facilities [have a] high number of docks (52) and are designed for a high throughput and for fast moving logistics goods.”
The joint venture was formed back in 2014 and work began on the facility in May 2016.
