Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("Toyota Tsusho") announced today that it has invested in Hacobu Co., Ltd. ("Hacobu"), which operates MOVO,^*1 a platform application for centrally managing logistics information, through a private placement of new shares conducted by Hacobu in April 2021 and also concluded a business tie-up agreement for the utilization of big data of logistics accumulated on MOVO.

The logistics industry is facing pressing issues such as chronic labor shortages due to excessive demand and increases in inefficient logistics resulting from small-lot and frequent transportation. With transportation by truck accounting for 6.8%^*2 of CO₂ emissions in Japan, the necessity of optimizing and increasing the efficiency of logistics is also rising for achieving the Japanese government's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Hacobu works primarily on eliminating paper in business and reducing waiting time for trucks through applications provided on MOVO that digitize logistics operations and communications between companies. Defining the new state of logistics created through sharing data and reviewing facts as "Data-Driven Logistics^TM," the company also accumulates logistics big data on MOVO and promotes utilization of such data.

Toyota Tsusho owns 56 logistics companies in 25 countries and regions across the world and has advanced the management and enhancement of the efficiency of logistics operations, mainly in the automotive industry. In order to resolve the inefficient logistics that the logistics industry faces and reduce environmental impact, it has also promoted smart logistics,^*3 such as the introduction of automatic warehouse operations , development of guideless autonomous driving systems for towing tractors, and trials of automated truck platooning on expressways.

This tie-up will be broadened into cross-industrial activities by capitalizing on the big data accumulated by Hacobu and Toyota Tsusho's networks and knowledge of smart logistics and its ability to improve operations acquired in their automotive businesses. A range of solutions will also be proposed to consignors, consignees and logistics companies toward optimizing logistics operation and transport and delivery including joint delivery and achieving smart logistics.

Toyota Tsusho is contributing to the transition to a decarbonized society by accelerating businesses that contribute to the reduction of CO₂ throughout the industrial life cycle through the utilization of digital technology.

*1 MOVO
MOVO provides four applications (truck booking service “MOVO Berth,” dynamics management service “MOVO Fleet,” distribution materials monitoring service “MOVO Seek,” and delivery transaction management service “MOVO Vista”).

*2 Source: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website
https://www.mlit.go.jp/sogoseisaku/environment/sosei_environment_tk_000007.html

*3 Smart logistics
Smart logistics uses the latest IT, such as big data, sophisticated management systems, work robots, automated and autonomous driving vehicles, and AI, thereby reducing logistics costs, enhancing business efficiency, improving product quality and security, and reducing environmental impact.