German intralogistics company Jungheinrich and Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas will expand their partnership with a new automated guided vehicle (AGV) joint venture.

Both partners will hold equal shares in Rocrich AGV Solutions, which will be headquartered in Houston, Texas with additional operations in Marengo, Illinois.

Logisnext and Jungheinrich have been collaborating in North America for 15 years, including in the MCJ Supply Chain Solutions joint venture.

Rocrich will combine Logisnext’s Rocla brand and Jungheinrich’s AGV portfolio within the existing MCJ joint venture. 

Current MCJ president Brian Spradlin will continue his role in the expanded joint venture and serve as president of Rocrich.

“We will combine the best people and products in the industry to scale our business,” Spradlin says. “Our ambition is to become one of the leading players in the market and to shape the future of our industry.”

Rocrich will partner with more than 570 Logisnext dealer locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Logisnext and Jungheinrich expect Rocrich to gain all necessary regulatory approvals and begin operations early in the third quarter of 2023.