Rakuten Super Logistics (RSL), a leader in in e-commerce order fulfillment, will open six additional fulfillment centers in 2019, expanding its operations to a total of 18 markets.
"Our continued expansion into major metropolitan markets is a commitment to our clients. We're creating a network that provides our clients a greater choice and flexibility that aligns their customer base with their product," says Mike Manzione, chief executive officer of RSL.
"With the change to zone-based pricing for first class packages, all clients must reconsider how to locate their product closer to their customers," he adds.
The recent USPS shipping structure changes will increase retailers shipping costs. To offset these increases, retailers can utilize a network of order fulfillment centers, thereby controlling shipping costs while decreasing shipping times.
"By 2021, worldwide retail e-commerce sales are projected to be $4.9 trillion. At the same time, customers are demanding shorter shipping timelines. With our increased major metropolitan presence, RSL will reduce ground transit delivery to within one day," says Manzione.
Houston and Los Angeles will be RSL's first 2019 expansion markets.
"The new Houston facility will be strategic for our clients importing product and materials from all over the world, including Brazil and Germany. Los Angeles will be strategically located near the Port of Los Angeles, a major container port. The Los Angeles location will be instrumental for our clients that import product from Asia," explains Manzione.
As a leader in the order fulfillment industry, RSL will also be employing state-of-the-art technology in all six new facilities. In 2018, RSL began deploying order fulfillment robots, developed by inVia Robotics, in its facilities nationwide and will be expanding with inVia's automation technology in the new warehouses.
