Yusen Logistics partners with businesses around the world to build resilient, efficient, future-ready supply chains. With more than 25,000 employees in over 748 locations across 46 countries, our services span international freight forwarding, contract logistics, land transportation, and end-to-end supply chain management.
Headquartered in Tokyo, we are proud to be a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK Group, which is Japan’s largest shipping company and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability, our ambition is to become the world’s preferred supply chain partner.
Ben Bird, Business Development and Solutions Design Director at Yusen Logistics (UK) Ltd speaks to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What are your best-known products/solutions/services?
Yusen Logistics UK is best known for delivering integrated end-to-end supply chain solutions, combining freight forwarding, contract logistics, warehousing, distribution, customs services and supply chain management. Our expertise spans air, ocean and road transport alongside value-added warehousing operations. We specialise in designing tailored logistics solutions for complex supply chains, supported by a global network and advanced digital visibility tools.
Which industry sectors are your customers in and which ones are growing fastest?
We serve customers across automotive, aerospace, retail, healthcare, technology and food sectors. Healthcare is one of our fastest-growing areas, driven by increasing demand for specialist logistics services. E-commerce fulfilment, technology supply chains and resilient automotive logistics solutions are also seeing strong growth as customers seek greater flexibility, visibility and sustainability throughout their operations.
What are your most recent products and innovations?
A major recent development is our new 1.2 million sq ft Sustainable Distribution Centre (SDC) in Northampton, which combines advanced automation with next-generation warehouse management technology. The facility has been designed to improve efficiency, scalability and operational visibility while supporting increasingly complex customer requirements.
What are the major trends and developments affecting your category and your customers, and how are you responding?
Key trends include supply chain resilience, decarbonisation, digitalisation and rising ESG expectations. Customers want partners who can reduce emissions while maintaining reliability and cost efficiency.
We are responding through investment in technology, automation and sustainable transport solutions. During 2025, we transitioned 40% of EU linehaul movements for a major healthcare customer to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), reducing emissions while maintaining service performance. Alongside alternative fuels, we’re investing in digital visibility tools and data-driven decision making to help customers build more resilient and sustainable supply chains.
Can you tell us about any recent customer contracts and how you helped the customer meet their challenges?
One recent example is our partnership with GSK, where we completed a pioneering electric truck trial on a temperature-controlled healthcare route across Europe.
The challenge was to determine whether a fully electric vehicle could support the strict requirements of pharmaceutical logistics. Working with GSK and transport partner Anwil Transport, we completed a 2,650km round trip between Poland and France. The trial demonstrated that zero-emission transport can support healthcare supply chains without compromising service levels, temperature control or product integrity, while potentially reducing emissions by more than 290 tonnes of CO2e annually.
How does business in 2026 compare to previous years? What’s your strategy for succeeding in the current climate?
Customer demand for resilient, technology-enabled and sustainable logistics solutions continues to grow. Compared with previous years, we are seeing greater emphasis on supply chain visibility, data-driven decision making and decarbonisation programmes.
Our strategy focuses on three key areas: investing in automation and digital transformation, expanding sustainable logistics solutions and developing highly skilled teams. Recognition as a finalist at the British Data Awards 2026 reflects our commitment to using data and analytics to improve customer outcomes and operational performance.
What’s the latest news from your company?
Recent highlights include significant investment in warehouse automation at our new Sustainable Distribution Centre and continued progress across our sustainability programmes.
We are also proud to have been recognised at the Everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards 2026, where colleagues were shortlisted for national awards and our Head of Talent & Development, Clair Royle, presented the Apprentice of the Year Award.
Can you tell us about any areas where you’re currently making technical advances?
Sustainability remains a major focus. We are developing practical decarbonisation solutions through electric vehicles, HVO and advanced emissions reporting tools.
Our recent electric truck trial with GSK proved that long-distance, temperature-controlled pharmaceutical distribution can be delivered using zero-emission vehicles. We are also investing in automation and data-driven supply chain management technologies to improve efficiency, safety and environmental performance.
Are you investing in staff training and skills development?
Absolutely. Our people are central to our success, and we continue to invest heavily in training, apprenticeships and professional development.
A recent initiative made £210,000 of apprenticeship levy funding available to charities, NHS organisations and non-profits through a partnership with Baltic Apprenticeships. We also continue to invest internally in leadership development and skills training to prepare our workforce for the future.
Are you taking part in any major trade shows?
Yes. We recently exhibited at Multimodal 2026, showcasing our multimodal transport capabilities, sustainability initiatives and our new Northampton Sustainable Distribution Centre.
We will also be exhibiting at the Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo, highlighting our retail fulfilment expertise, automation investments and sustainability solutions. In addition, we are proud sponsors of the Delivery & Logistics Leaders Summit, where we will be engaging with industry leaders on the future of logistics, innovation and decarbonisation.
Yusen Logistics (UK) Ltd
t: 0330 0180017
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