German logistics firm opens Bangladesh subsidiary

Schenker (Asia Pacific) Pte, a subsidiary of DB Schenker, the transport and logistics division of Deutsche Bahn Group, has expanded its presence in the Indian subcontinent with the launch of a new subsidiary in Bangladesh.

The German company has been delivering logistics services to its customers in Bangladesh since 2007 through an exclusive network partner.

With effect from June 26 this year, Schenker Logistics (Bangladesh) is fully operational as a local entity under the global freight forwarder's India cluster organisation, the company said in a statement.

The new Bangladesh subsidiary is now part of the global DB Schenker network, with 2,000 locations in more than 130 countries.

"As one of the priority markets for our Indian subcontinent, the move to establish our own entity in Bangladesh will greatly enhance DB Schenker's service portfolio in the subcontinent," said Jochen Thewes, chief executive officer of DB Schenker.

The new entity will have two offices, in Dhaka and Chattogram, with over 150 employees.

It will cover six vertical markets: aerospace, electronics and solar semiconductor, automotive, retail and consumer, healthcare and industrial and chemical, according to the statement. The new Bangladesh entity will be led by Chester Hodgson who has over 20 years of experience in the freight and logistics industry in South Asia and is no stranger to Bangladesh.

"Our greatest pride is our customers and that our success is measured by how we can use our network to facilitate the progress of your business," Hodgson said in the statement.

Ditlev Blicher, chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific, DB Schenker, described establishing an owned entity as an "important step for the organisation that comes after many years of careful planning and preparation, which will greatly enhance DB Schenker's service portfolio and footprint in the Indian subcontinent." 

"Bangladesh is one of the priority markets for our Indian subcontinent and will help shape a new growth trajectory in the years to come," said Vishal Sharma, CEO for cluster India and Indian subcontinent at Schenker India Private.