Hitachi and MARC Align Global Logistics Support

Compiled ByDeborah Austin Hitachi Ltd. has forged a strategic alliance for fulfillment software and solutions with MARC Global Systems, a provider of supply chain execution systems headquartered in Reston, Va. Hitachi, the $75.5 billion Tokyo-headquartered industrial and information services company, will resell and integrate the MARC product suite exclusively in Japan, with non-exclusive rights for other nations in the Asia-Pacific market. Many firms are shifting production bases and procurement to the international arena, moving logistics toward globalization, says Hiroyuki Ishizaka, division manager, Hitachi's Distribution Systems Division. "We believe the MARC supply chain execution package can cope with this trend." Hitachi's internal customer base will be its initial target for the MARC product. Also, it will pursue vertical markets such as retail, third-party logistics, automotive and pharmaceutical.