New logistics centre for Detroit

LONG BEACH, CA—UTi Worldwide Inc, a supply chain services provider, has opened a new logistics facility in Romulus, Michigan under a “shared asset” model that offers clients warehousing and freight forwarding.

The 228,000sqf facility is a new campus model for UTi, says Eric Kirchner, UTi’s chief executive officer, combining warehousing activities for contract logistics clients and space for air, ocean and ground freight forwarding. Before opening this facility, UTi had two separate buildings 11 miles apart.

“Having both teams in one location allows UTi to share best practices and expertise,” said Kirchner, “UTi also benefits from cost reductions as a result of sharing equipment and utilities, which allows us to apply those savings to other improvements.”

Rob Chanona, UTi’s vice president of contract logistics operations for the Americas added, “While other companies are leaving the Detroit area, UTi is making a substantial investment in support of our clients in the automotive and consumer electronics industries. We believe that Detroit plays a pivotal role in the automotive supply chain for the NAFTA region, connecting the dots among the Tier 1 suppliers in Ontario, Canada, the Midwest, and Mexico.”

UTi Worldwide Inc is an international, non-asset-based supply chain service provider offering air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, Customs brokerage, distribution, inbound logistics, truckload brokerage, and other supply chain management services.