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SK energy Co. and Naver Corp. have agreed to work together to build logistic hubs for small and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea. The companies will jointly convert the gas stations owned by the energy company.
The transformed stations will become urban fulfillment centers that are fitted with artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies to make logistic services easier and faster. As per Pulse News, SK energy and Naver signed the deal specifically for their cooperation on the development of urban logistics solutions.
It was outlined in the contract that Naver would make use of the energy firm’s gas stations as distribution facilities for its e-commerce business operation. The tech company will then apply its AI and robotics machinery to make sure that its logistic services will run smoothly.
Naver and SK energy will start their joint project with a pilot logistics service in Seoul next year. It will first provide service to the merchants of Naver’s SmartStore online shop.
Moreover, the two companies are also planning to build micro-fulfillment hubs at SK gas stations in the long term. SK energy owns over 3,000 gas stations in South Korea so setting up fulfillment centers in these locations is certainly a good strategy that will benefit both sides.
Aside from this project, there are also aiming to cooperate for tech-related business in the future. The Korea Economic Daily reported that Naver and SK energy entered into this strategic partnership not only to develop future logistics technology but to create infrastructure to alleviate the logistics burden of SMEs in the country.
"We are paying keen attention to the new role of gas stations in consumers' daily lives to strengthen eco-friendly urban logistics services," SK energy P&M CIC’s head, Oh Jong Hoon, said in a statement.
Finally, Naver Forest CIC’s head, Lee Yoon Sook, added that they “will work with SK Energy to reduce the logistics burden of SMEs and to create new commerce business opportunities."
