Aramex enters Korean market with CJ GLS alliance
International express and logistics company Aramex has entered the Korean market through an alliance with locally-based CJ GLS. Aramex, which is based in Jordan but listed on the Dubai stock exchange, has recently been considerably expanding its operations in Africa and Asia, with the latest move following on from November’s formation of a joint venture with Sinotrans to pursue the Chinese market.
The company said today that trade between the Gulf states and Korea was worth $113bn in 2011, with exports from Korea to the region growing by a “staggering” 38.2%.
It said its new partner has an “extensive network” in Korea, including 74 distribution centres, as well as a global outreach via 25 offices in 12 countries in Asia, Europe and North America.
The first phase of the partnership should see the introduction of Aramex international express and freight services in South Korea, offering shipment to 59 countries in four continents.
Othman Al Jeda, the chief executive officer for Asia at Aramex, said the partnership would give Aramex a strategic position in serving the South East Asian economies, connecting emerging markets in Asia with emerging economies in Africa, via the Middle East.
“The opportunities for our partnership in the South Korean high-tech, industrialised and export-driven economy are remarkable,” he said.
“We firmly believe that our partnership with CJ GLS will position us as one of the leading providers of transportations and logistics providers in Asia.”
CJ GLS was established in Seoul in 1998, offering express, parcel, transportation, third-party logistics and warehousing services.
Wook Heo, the managing director at CJ GLS, said the partnership with Aramex would serve as a “bridgehead” for expanding his company’s international door-to-door delivery operations, and launch new services in Asia and Africa.
He said: “CJ GLS has combined its outstanding service capabilities acquired through its domestic door-to-door delivery businesses with the global network provided by Aramex, which allows CJ GLS to provide customer services with even greater speed and accuracy.”
