Done deals: September 16, 2022

SCI & Bench

SCI Group has partnered with Bench, a clothing brand, to create a cross-border e-commerce fulfillment solution for the US market. This direct-to-consumer strategy enables Bench to deliver to e-commerce customers in the US directly from Canada, under Section 321 of the Canada-US-Mexico free trade agreement. Section 321 is an exemption that allows shipments of products valued at US$800 or less to enter the U.S. from Canada duty free. For direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce retailers, this offers an opportunity to reduce their cost per unit through waived or refunded import duties on items that enter Canada bound for U.S. recipients.

Wiferion

Wiferion is entering the North American market and has founded a subsidiary in Chicago. With this step, the German tech company is responding to demand in North America for its UL-certified charging solution. Wiferion’s system has been designed into more than 100 different industrial EV and mobile robots worldwide with more than 5,000 units sold globally, including installation in several European and US automotive manufacturing facilities, including one of the leading US industrial truck manufacturers.

RSI Logistics & Madison Railroad

RSI Logistics, Inc. has formed a new partnership with Madison Railroad to promote Madison Railroad’s new 22-acre transload site that RSI Logistics will be operating in Madison, Indiana. The new site will ecrease volatility and improved supply chains for local suppliers and shippers; expand transloading services to a market that will provide a myriad of opportunities; and combine the experience and knowledge of both organizations.

Hapag-Lloyd & Spinelli Group

Hapag-Lloyd and Spinelli Group have entered into an agreement to join forces. The German container liner-shipping company will acquire a 49 percent in Spinelli Group, an Italian logistics group, from existing shareholders, while the Spinelli family will continue to hold the majority stake of 51 percent. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.