DHL, Lemuir Group consolidate joint venture in India

DHL, Lemuir Group consolidate joint venture in India DHL and Indian logistics provider the Lemuir Group on Thursday said the two companies have consolidated the joint venture they began in 2005, with Deutsche Post World Net holding a 76 percent stake in the new company — DHL Lemuir Logistics Pvt. Ltd.
   The consolidated joint venture will combine the businesses of DHL Danzas Lemuir Pvt. Ltd. and Exel India Pvt. Ltd., which recently acquired the contract logistics and customs house brokerage operations for general cargo from Lee & Muirhead Pvt. Ltd. The consolidated logistics business will trade under the DHL brand as DHL Global Forwarding for the freight forwarding business and DHL Exel Supply Chain for contract logistics.
   Rajeev Rajadhyaksha, managing director of Exel India, has been appointed managing director of DHL Lemuir Logistics, and Christoph Remund has been appointed as chief operating officer of DHL Global Forwarding.
   'Exel joining the Deutsche Post World Net family in 2005 cemented our position as the world's leading logistics group,' John Allan, global chief executive officer for DHL Logistics, said in a statement. 'Our in-country teams have over the past year been working to consolidate individual businesses in every market. Upon the completion of the consolidation and integration in India, the DHL Logistics business will be bigger, better and stronger. The combined expertise of three leading players in the industry and the strength of over 2,000 employees and 150 facilities will position us as a clear leader in contract logistics, air and ocean freight forwarding and customs brokerage in India. India is of strategic importance to DHL in Asia Pacific. This consolidation will create a strong platform to enable us leverage the opportunities in the logistics sector in India.'
   According to DHL, the Indian logistics market is estimated to be around $45 billion today. By 2015, it is expected to reach almost $122 billion — growing at a compounded rate of more than 11 percent, which is higher than the growth rate of the Indian economy. This consolidation is expected to result in a significant increase in the combined strengths of DHL's logistics business in India, providing the largest network and service capabilities in the Indian logistics sector.