THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008

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Nippon Express, DP Together Again

By TOM ROBB

Journal Reporter

Import-export business Nippon Express USA is back home in Des Plaines having moved into its new 155,193 sq. ft. facility at 401 E. Touhy Avenue.

The company moved from a smaller facility in Bensenville earlier this year.

Senior company manager Lou Villa-Arce told the Journal & Topics Newspapers this week that the new Des Plaines facility has 50% more warehouse space than the Bensenville facility to store cargo on trucks and move loads to the airport for shipment overseas.

Villa-Arce said that because of the weak dollar he has never seen so many U.S. products shipped overseas, adding that the import side of the business is way down. Villa-Arce said the company's move would not result is new jobs "yet." He said troubles in the airline industry with increased fuel costs and canceled schedules have taken their toll but he remained up beat.

The company shifted employees to its export business but has not had any layoffs.

The company currently employs between 130 and 140 workers.

Villa-Arce said the company is "coming home" in its move back to Des Plaines. He said the business started in Des Plaines in 1969, moved to Franklin Park in the early 1970's, then to Bensenville in 2003 until its latest move.

Trucks currently drive seven miles to O'Hare Airport's cargo area but it's hoped that once airport expansion is completed they will be able to use a gate a mere one-quarter mile from the new facility.

Villa-Arce said the Des Plaines facility was a steel plant that was completely rebuilt with new and modern high-tech features.