Resolving Social Issues through Our Business Nichirei Logistics Group
Long working hours have become the norm for truck drivers. In addition to long distances, drivers must contend with factors such as dwell time at logistics facilities and incidental non-driving work that they have been subcontracted to do, which has become standard business practice in the industry. The 2024 Problem for logistics refers to such issues, which the shipping and logistics industry must address from April 1, 2024, when Japan’s Work Style Reform Act imposes a mandatory limit of 960 hours of driver overtime per year to improve the working environment.
SULS is an acronym for S&U Logistics System, in which “S” stands for speedy, sustainable and solution, and “U” stands for utility, usability and user experience. By synergizing the advantages of Nichirei Logistics Group, we will generate speedy, sustainable logistics solutions and provide utility, usability and superior user experience to our customers and society.
SULS was initially introduced for transportation and delivery among the Nichirei Logistics Group’s facilities in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, with plans for a nationwide rollout in stages. We will continue to support our customers’ supply chains through the evolution of our temperature-controlled logistics’ transportation and delivery operations into higher-quality, more sustainable formats.
The start of operation of Atsugi Gateway in April 2022 improved load factor by consolidating west-bound cargo. With the benefits of SULS switch centers and gateways, it is now possible to transport cargo between the Kanto and Kansai regions using one-day return trips.
●Expansion of Gateway Functions (Trunk-Route Relay)
The start of operation of Kansai Gateway will enable east-bound cargo transport to achieve a similar effect as west-bound cargo transport from the Kanto region.
●Expansion of Transportation and Delivery Network (Trailers)
By increasing the number of detachable, large-capacity trailers (from 19 to 34), we will increase SULS operation in the Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka area, and expand it beyond this area.
