Kerry Logistics Network Limited has established Kerry Cold Chain Solution Ltd., a joint venture company formed with Shanghai Zhizhen Logistics Co. Ltd. in which Kerry Logistics holds the majority interest.

According to Kerry Logistics, the JV enables it to expand its food-related cold chain capabilities in mainland China and to tap into the fast-growing domestic market of niche food products.

Kerry Cold Chain provides comprehensive integrated cold chain logistics solutions from upstream to downstream. Using self-owned cold chain facilities and partnering with local experts, Kerry Cold Chain will handle a wide range of food products, from raw ingredients to dairy product additives.

Kerry Cold Chain currently operates more than 1 million square feet of ambient and cold chain facilities in China, including a temperature-controlled facility of over 50,000 square feet in Shanghai featuring automated storage and retrieval systems.

“The market for food-related cold chain logistics in mainland China is immense with enormous growth potential,” said Edwardo Erni [centre in photo], managing director of China and North Asia at Kerry Logistics. “There is also ample room for technological growth to reach international standards. Intending to fill a gap in the market, we welcome the collaboration with Zhizhen Logistics, which marks an important strategic step for Kerry Logistics to extend its footprint in the domestic cold chain logistics market, enhancing our service offerings and competitiveness.”

Zhizhen Logistics was founded in 2008 and operates from locations across China including Beijing, Tianjin, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Kerry Logistics offers cold chain solutions to chain stores and restaurants in Hong Kong as well as hypermarkets and frozen food retailers in Taiwan. The group also runs cold chain facilities in Oceania, serving supermarket chains, convenience stores, independent retailers and food importers.