Japan: a. hartrodt sets course for further growth

In the world's third-largest economy, a. hartrodt is setting the course for further growth: "In 2022, we are investing in the development of new human resources in both operations and sales/customer support," says Paolo Mazziotti di Celso, Managing Director at a. hartrodt Japan in Tokyo. By the end of the year, the number of staff is expected to increase from 24 to 26. In demand are both experienced local employees and young talented international professionals, he adds. "Staff increase is mainly aimed in order to get as many new business opportunities as possible and to manage them properly in terms of operations," Paolo Mazziotti di Celso explains.

Traditionally close ties between a. hartrodt and Japan

Traditionally, a. hartrodt has had close ties with Japan. The family-owned company opened its first Asian branch there in 1969, and Andreas Wenzel, who later became Managing Director, studied in the East Asian island state. Today, according to Paolo Mazziotti di Celso, a. hartrodt is focused "mainly on import/export international freight forwarding" at its locations in Tokyo and Osaka, but is expanding its capabilities "to local activities".

a. hartrodt also scores points in e-commerce services

The industrial engineer with a degree from the University of Bologna sees potential in e-commerce services. His target: Offering customers a full logistics package – including B2B, B2C, gift wrapping, returns management, quality checks, cash on delivery payment. "Japan is a mature market with local marketplaces like Rakuten, Zozotown or Mercari, well developed also overseas," he explains. What can a. hartrodt Japan score with? "We guarantee global reach and wide range of services like the big market players, but at the same time a good level of flexibility to match unique requirements of each single client," he emphasizes.

Paolo Mazziotti di Celso has been working at a. hartrodt Japan since January 2014 and in the country for almost twelve years. "I immediately had the feeling to be in the right place," he says. But of course Bologna is "still in my heart" – and once a year family and delicious food lure him to Italy.