Rhenus is founding an independent company in Vietnam with its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City. Klemens Rethmann, CEO of the Rhenus Group, made the announcement on the sidelines of a visit by Sigmar Gabriel, the German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, to the 14th German Asia-Pacific Business Organisation in Vietnam.
The Eurasian logistics services provider has always handled projects in Vietnam in conjunction with selected national agents in the past. Majority holdings with one hundred percent foreign investments have only been permissible in Vietnam since this year. As soon as the registration process for Rhenus Logistics Vietnam LLC has been completed, the operating business will be transferred to the new company. The experienced Swiss logistics and industry expert, Peter Schüpbach, has been recruited as managing director to ensure that the company is a success; he has been working in Vietnam for more than 15 years.
“We’ve significantly expanded our presence in Asia during the last few years – whether it’s in Singapore, Thailand or Myanmar. However, we were still missing an independent company in Vietnam within our South-East Asian network. The country is an important and stable partner within the ASEAN association and it is opening up to an increasing degree. As a result of establishing this new firm, we’ll be able to offer an even more extensive network and continue expanding our services,” says Klemens Rethmann, giving his reasons for the new development, he is currently accompanying Sigmar Gabriel as a member of the official delegation during his trip to Vietnam.
Rhenus freight forwarding services in Vietnam in the past have involved both traffic between Asia and Europe and the exchange of goods within Asia – for example, with Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Most of the customers operate in the textile, electronics and chemical industries or the mechanical engineering sector. “In addition to its core business forwarding sea and air freight consignments and project business, Rhenus will also provide third-party logistics services for the high-tech and health care sectors,” says Uwe Oemmelen, a member of the Rhenus Board and is based in Asia.
Ho Chi Minh City is not likely to remain the only business site for the new company in the longer term. There are already plans to set up branches in cities like Hanoi and Da Nang.
