Nippon Express Group Invests in Recerqa, Provider of Next-Gen Core System 'RECERQA' Optimizing Order Management

NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. (President: Tomo Horikiri) has made an investment in Recerqa Inc. (CEO: Shuhtarou Umehara; hereinafter "Recerqa"), a company developing and providing the platform "RECERQA" that optimizes processes in order management, through its Nippon Express Global Innovation Investment Limited Partnership. The capital and business alliance agreement was signed on June 25 (Thu).

Overview of Recerqa Inc.

Recerqa is a startup leveraging AI to transform inefficient business processes in supply chain operations, particularly in order management. Its platform "RECERQA" is developed as a "next-generation core system (Agentic ERP)" that goes beyond traditional record-keeping-focused ERP systems by enabling AI to understand data and autonomously support business decisions and execution. RECERQA integrates diverse functions—from digitizing various documents with different formats, structuring business rules, to integrating with existing systems—thereby supporting enterprise-wide operational efficiency and advancement.

Background and Purpose of Investment

Intercompany order management processes still rely heavily on paper and PDF documents with varying formats, resulting in manual tasks such as data entry and verification. Additionally, a shortage of personnel for ERP maintenance and operation, along with system aging, has heightened the need for business transformation.

Recerqa addresses these challenges by offering "RECERQA," a platform that enables digitalization and automation in supply chain operations centered on order management. By leveraging this system, companies can gradually transition while maintaining integration with existing ERP systems, enabling progressive optimization of procurement, inventory, sales, and other areas without disrupting operations.

The Nippon Express (NX) Group aims to enhance and advance its own order management processes by leveraging Recerqa's AI technology, working toward realizing a new model of supply chain operations. Furthermore, in pursuit of its long-term vision of becoming a logistics company with a strong global presence, the NX Group continues to drive corporate value creation and address societal challenges.

Key Collaboration Initiatives

1. Operational Efficiency and DX Advancement within the NX Group

By leveraging Recerqa's AI technology, the NX Group will automate non-routine tasks and improve efficiency in order-related operations. Additionally, the two companies will jointly develop new AI agents specialized for logistics operations.

2. Enhancement of Logistics Solutions and Supply Chain Value

By combining Recerqa's technology with the NX Group's global network, the partnership will deliver advanced logistics solutions such as inventory visibility and transportation network optimization, contributing to overall supply chain value enhancement.

Moving forward, the NX Group will continue to collaborate with domestic and international startups to solve societal challenges and contribute to advancing supply chains and building a sustainable society.

Details of Investee Company

Company Name: Recerqa Inc.

Headquarters: 6th Floor, Nakanospring Building, 4-11-17 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Date of Establishment: April 8, 2022

Representative: CEO and Representative Director Shuhtarou Umehara

Business Activities: Development and provision of Agentic ERP "RECERQA" optimizing order management processes

Website: https://recerqa.com/

Executive Comments

Shuhtarou Umehara, CEO and Representative Director, Recerqa Inc.

"The supply chain, starting with order management, still contains a vast number of fundamental challenges that can be solved by AI but remain untouched. Solving these at scale requires both cutting-edge technology and a robust business infrastructure for large-scale societal implementation. We are thrilled to have the NX Group as a partner who can drive both of these engines together.

We view this alliance not merely as an investment, but as the starting point of co-creation. By combining Recerqa's AI with the NX Group's operational expertise and network, we will jointly create new standards in logistics and supply chain operations. In response to the NX Group's vision of becoming a logistics company with a strong global presence, Recerqa will serve as an essential engine for realizing that vision.

Together, we will steadily advance our mission to transform order management worldwide."

Koji Ao, Head of Corporate Venturing, NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.

"In the supply chain domain, where digitalization is increasingly in demand, Recerqa's approach to automating and optimizing analog order processes using AI is becoming ever more critical. We see strong potential in their innovative 'Agentic ERP' solution—going beyond simple AI-OCR—to address the limitations of existing systems by enabling AI agents to autonomously support business operations.

About the NX Group:

Since its founding in 1937, the NX Group has connected people, businesses, and communities by transporting goods, growing alongside societal development. As a global logistics company with approximately 78,000 employees across 57 countries and regions, it delivers high-quality logistics services by leveraging multimodal transportation (land, sea, and air) and warehousing and IT solutions.

The NX Group's corporate message, 'We Find the Way,' reflects our strong determination and confidence to always find the best solution and get the job done, no matter the circumstances. More than just moving goods, we serve as a partner in co-creating our customers' futures, providing sustainable and environmentally conscious supply chain solutions.

For more information, please visit https://www.nipponexpress-holdings.com/en/"