Wal-Mart to the high seas?

[Scooter24]

The executive leadership of Wal-Mart must be constantly asking "what's next?" Life at the top can be lonely. The numerous less-than-flattering pieces appearing in print and on cable and public television, plus the company's lagging post-Thanksgiving sales have to be a little more than off-putting.

Wal-Mart has achieved its status as the world's largest retailer not by worrying about the here and now, but by always looking toward the future. If it's to retain its heralded status, Wal-Mart must continue to adapt to market pressures: cost-conscious customers, adapting competitors and increased transportation costs at home.

So what's next? Wal-Mart may be taking its know-how to the high seas.

It is rumored that the company may be considering a purchase of a major container shipping outfit. Word out of Northwest Arkansas is that Wal-Mart is eyeing American President Lines (APL) for acquisition.

APL is one of the largest logistics and container transportation companies in the world. It has offices in over 80 countries, including 30 offices in China. APL's parent company, Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), is headquartered in Singapore.

...

If Wal-Mart were to acquire APL it would instantly have access to a business that historically has relied on others to provide. Wal-Mart is on the cutting edge of logistics. Such a merger would make Wal-Mart one of the largest shipping companies in the world and further solidify its global position by giving its leadership direct control over the company's supply channels.

http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2004/12/08/DavidJSanders/311347.html

[Solon]

1. Jesus H. Christ...

Wal Mart is positioning itself to be the ONLY corporation in the world, how much longer will it be before everything is related to Wal Mart?

[jmowreader]

2. I'm surprised it took them this long

It's called supply chain management for a reason.

Right now, Wal-Mart owns all but two links in that chain--manufacturing and transoceanic shipping. They probably can't afford to own their own manufacturing plants, but they can definitely afford a shipping line.

Next question: where will they build their deepwater ports? You know that if Wal-Mart owns a shipping line it's going to want ports that no one else can use.