The Rhenus Group enhanced its network of business sites in Brazil by taking over Pirâmide SeaAir Comércio Exterior in January 2018. In addition to the company headquarters in the major city of São Paulo, Pirâmide SeaAir has branches at Guarulhos and Viracopos airports as well as the port of Santos.

 

 

Pirâmide SeaAir has been operating as a licenced customs clearance broker for more than 20 years and has developed its own customs clearance software for this purpose. As a result of the acquisition, Rhenus can now not only operate classic freight forwarding services, but also offer greater efficiency in providing advice and completing customs clearance for imports and exports.

 

“Customs clearance for imports is a major focus of operations in Brazil. It often determines whether goods are handled smoothly in conjunction with the public authorities or not. As a result of the customs clearance expertise available at Pirâmide SeaAir, we’ll be able to offer our customers here special time benefits and value added in future,” says Jörn Schmersahl, CEO of Rhenus Air & Ocean Europe & Americas, describing the benefits of the acquisition.

 

The Rhenus Group is now strengthening its presence in Central and South America too as a result of the takeover, following its strong growth in Asia during the past few years. “Brazil is a growth engine and generates about half the economic power in South America. We’re sure that Brazil will not only be important for exporting investment and consumer goods in future, but also become increasingly significant as a production site and regional centre.”

 

The Brazilian company will initially operate in the market place using the Rhenus-Piramide brand. The first shipments through the European LCL gateway in Hilden started in January 2018.