Rhenus Group, a global logistics services provider, is making significant strides in expanding its business in India. By focusing on smaller towns and leveraging the growing e-commerce sector, the company aims to meet the increasing demand for efficient logistics solutions. Headquartered in Holzwickede, Germany, Rhenus Group operates across 1,320 locations in over 70 countries and employs 40,000 people. In India, the company operates from 70 offices, serving key sectors such as automotive, engineering, renewables, chemicals, petrochemicals, life sciences, healthcare, and consumer goods.
Addressing Global Supply Chain Disruptions
The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Red Sea, especially around the Suez Canal, have caused significant disruptions to global supply chains. Tobias Martin Bartz, the CEO of Rhenus Group, highlights the company’s proactive measures to tackle these challenges. By leveraging their global network and offering flexible routing options, Rhenus ensures that goods continue to move efficiently despite the disruptions. The company closely monitors the situation, works with local partners, and utilizes advanced technology to maintain shipment visibility and control, thereby keeping customers’ supply chains resilient.
Rhenus Group ’s Warehousing Expansion in India
Rhenus Group plans to expand its warehousing space in India to 5 million square feet within the next three years. Currently, the company operates 31 warehouses across the country, totaling about 2.4 million square feet. This expansion will be driven by customer needs and will extend Rhenus’ reach into new cities and industry segments. The company is also embarking on greenfield warehousing projects across several key regions. These new facilities will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to deliver seamless and efficient logistics services.
Integrated Logistics Solutions in India
Rhenus Group offers a comprehensive range of logistics solutions in India, including air and ocean freight, customs clearance, domestic and international trucking, and warehousing. The company also provides value-added services such as overseas warehousing, free trade warehousing zones, control tower management, and cross-border trucking to SAARC nations. Rhenus is well-equipped to manage multimodal transportation via flatbed, trailer, inland barge, deep sea vessel, truck, rail, or air charter, along with complex customs clearance procedures. Additionally, the company offers non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) services and is expanding into inland waterways to provide 4PL solutions for complete supply chain visibility.
Expansion Strategy and Future Plans
Since acquiring a customs brokerage license in 2011, Rhenus Group has significantly expanded its presence in India. The company’s warehousing footprint now includes 31 facilities across the country. In 2021, Rhenus set up a global service center and developed supply chain solutions offering real-time visibility and 4PL services. The company initiated cross-border trucking to SAARC countries in 2022 and continues to grow its team, now numbering over 2,000 employees across 70 locations. Rhenus is also expanding its seaport network and making inroads into inland waterway shipping and greenfield warehousing projects.
Targeting Tier 2 and 3 Cities with Advanced Technology
With the fast-paced growth of retail in tier 2 and 3 cities and semi-urban and rural regions driven by e-commerce, Rhenus Group is strategically investing in advanced technology to effectively serve these markets. The company’s warehouse management system and transport management system optimize the supply chain, providing comprehensive logistics solutions that include crucial first-mile and last-mile deliveries. By enhancing delivery management efficiency, Rhenus addresses the logistical complexities presented by rapid growth in these emerging markets. The company’s extensive network, including road freight and value-added services, positions Rhenus India to handle the increased demand for efficient logistics in these regions, with a focus on customized solutions to meet customers’ unique needs.
