Rhenus Group has set up its own entity in New Zealand, with the first business site starting operations in Auckland today (20 August).

The new company, Rhenus Logistics NZ will provide international and domestic logistics services as well as customs consultancy offering both 4PL and 5PL.

Auckland, located on the North Island is home to approximately one third of the population of New Zealand, and Rhenus is aiming to expand its services in Oceania through its first branch in the country.

Rhenus Logistics NZ managing director, Mark Harrison says: “Despite New Zealand’s geographical distance between supply point and customer markets and the challenges this creates from an international logistics perspective, New Zealand remains a leading supplier for both the global dairy and agriculture industries.”

Imports from Asian and European markets will be a major focus, and the trans-Tasman market between Australia and New Zealand will also be a key market.

Rhenus CEO for Far East Asia, Jan Harnisch says: “We’ve been investing in the expansion of our network in the Asia-Pacific region for several years. We took over the Australian company O’Brien Logistics about one year ago and integrated it within the Rhenus Group.

“We’ve also opened many new business sites, for example in South Korea, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and in the Philippines.”