Initially engaged in maritime transport and cargo shipping, Grupo Empresas Navieras (GEN) has diversified its activities to include land transport equipment, logistics infrastructure and storage facilities.
Aside from running those various operations, GEN also manages CCNI, a goods transport company established in 1930 that began with the importation of cars before it evolved into a full-service logistics operation with Japanese partners.
GEN saw the need to diversify because of a shift in the container and cargo business around the world. The decision eliminated many risks and gave the company a more stable and sustainable growth model. Throughout this evolution, GEN continued to partner with Japanese companies.
“Maybe it’s the practices of our company or our own mentality, but we somehow always feel more comfortable doing business with Asian countries, particularly with Japanese companies,” Company Advisor Jose Luis Chanes said.
The group’s relationship with Japan is very important. It began many decades back when Japanese car manufacturers launched operations in Chile and made the country their ‘testing ground’ for different models before selling them in other countries in Latin America.
While Chile has also become a major supplier of mining, forestry and fishery products to Japan, the Asian giant has also become an important source of advanced machinery and high tech goods.
“We are very confident that this long term relationship is synonymous to success. With Japanese companies, we have been able to create a growing business and we hope to continue growing together,” said Carcarrier Service Vice President Alberto Contreras.
