Japanese manufacturer Shimano has partnered with Kuehne+Nagel to boost its B2B e-commerce business in Europe.

Shimano manufactures bicycle components, services and fishing equipment, with 49 subsidiaries across the globe.

In a statement, Kuehne+Nagel said cranksets, derailleurs and rim brakes are some items in the European Distribution Centre (DC) for Shimano that it manages.

The 20,000 sqm Distribution Centre will be part of Kuehne+Nagel's existing e-fulfilment hub in Tessenderlo, Belgium.

Increased demand in Europe

"The Japanese multinational, which⁠-next to cycling components and gear⁠-also sells fishing equipment, has a growing B2B e-commerce business in Europe. Kuehne+Nagel’s modern warehousing solution will support Shimano in handling the increasing volumes," the announcement said.

The operations will go live in the course of 2023.

Kuehne+Nagel said the warehouse would be supported by an automated picking technology, which aims at serving different sales channels.

On top, it includes advanced value-added services for end-customers, such as battery transportation management (classified as dangerous goods) for e-bikes.

"In Europe, bicycles and e-bikes are an increasingly popular means of accessible and sustainable transportation. We are proud to help Shimano meet the growing demand for bicycle parts through an automated, highly flexible warehousing solution," says Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Management Board of Kuehne Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics.

Marc van Rooij, president of the Shimano Europe Group, for his part, welcomed the partnership.

"After a careful and intense process, we are more than confident and happy that Kuehne+Nagel will be our partner to further develop Shimano Europe's logistics structure and to ensure Shimano's customer centricity and flexibility for the future, employing state-of-the-art warehousing processes and systems," van Rooij said.