Panasonic to Develop Joint Solutions with Blue Yonder

Panasonic’s recent equity investment in Blue Yonder gives it a 20% minority ownership stake in the supply chain software provider and one seat on the Blue Yonder board of directors.

The investment via a secondary sale of shares values Blue Yonder at an enterprise value of $5.5 billion.

Building on an existing relationship that also includes a joint venture in Japan, Blue Yonder and Panasonic will combine resources and work with partner companies in Japan to fuel growth by selling Blue Yonder’s Luminate solutions.

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They will also develop new joint solutions on the Luminate platform to enhance customers’ capabilities for supply and demand forecasting, inventory and labor optimization, and streamlining business operations.

Blue Yonder’s customers include such companies as Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, DHL, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, Unilever and Walmart. The company was formerly known as JDA Software.

“I am excited about this collaboration to realize our joint vision for digital supply chain — where Blue Yonder’s platform synchronizes with Panasonic’s edge offerings to deliver more autonomous, successful business outcomes for retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers,” said Girish Rishi, CEO of Blue Yonder. “We look forward to working within our joint venture in Japan to deliver tremendous customer value.”