NNR

NNR Logistics, a division of Japan’s Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd., is a global leader in supply chain solutions, offering air and ocean freight, warehousing, and integrated logistics with a commitment to innovation and efficiency.

BRANDING & IDENTITY

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WEBSITES & APPS

NNR Logistics is a global leader in supply chain solutions, driven by innovation, customer-centricity, and sustainability, aiming to deliver reliable and efficient global connectivity.

NNR Global Logistics, a division of Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd., is a leading provider of comprehensive logistics solutions. With a global network spanning over 130 offices and a workforce exceeding 18,000, NNR offers services including air and ocean freight, warehousing, and supply chain management.
The company’s mission emphasizes delivering safe, environmentally friendly transportation to ensure a pleasant environment for future generations. Core values focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and sustainability, aiming to provide confidence, comfort, and enjoyment through their services.
Founded in 1948, NNR Global Logistics originated as Japan’s first licensed international freight forwarder. It is part of the Nishitetsu Group, established in 1908 in Fukuoka, Japan, which has diversified interests ranging from transportation to real estate and leisure. Over the decades, NNR has expanded its operations globally, maintaining a commitment to quality and innovation in the logistics industry.

The Challenge

Redesigning the NNR Logistics website presented a unique set of challenges. The primary issue stemmed from malfunctioning plugins that compromised site functionality. Additionally, the brand wanted to move away from its previous emphasis on safety, seeking instead a more versatile, language-inclusive, and modern aesthetic to reflect its global presence. However, revamping the site was not just about visual appeal; it required addressing the technical limitations that hindered the user experience
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One of the biggest challenges SimplePlan faced was the corporate structure itself. NNR is a large, multinational entity with stakeholders from multiple regions: the UK team (our primary client), the US team, and the Japan team. This dynamic meant navigating varied perspectives and aligning them with a cohesive design vision while maintaining consistency and brand integrity.

Adding to the complexity was the limited creative scope: we were provided with an existing brand guide, which we had to abide by. This made it crucial for us to inject subtle creativity and nuanced design elements to ensure the site felt fresh and engaging, despite the inherent limitations of the font and color palette.

How did SimplePlan do it?

SimplePlan delivered a fresh, modern website for NNR Logistics with a custom design, easy content management, and engaging visuals. As the project evolved, we also supported with media integration and content refinement.

Thoughtful UI/UX Design with Custom Elements

SimplePlan took on the challenge of redesigning the NNR Logistics website with a focus on creating a modern, user-friendly interface while working within strict brand guidelines. We were given just three colors and the Montserrat font to work with—quite a challenge, considering Montserrat’s reputation as a rather overused and uninspiring choice.
To overcome this, we introduced creative design elements like layered color accents and subtle micro-interactions, such as moving boxes, to add visual interest and depth to the site. These touches helped make the design feel dynamic and engaging, despite the limited palette.
Additionally, we focused on enhancing usability with a clean, intuitive layout, ensuring that users could easily navigate the site and find the information they needed. By balancing creativity with functionality, we transformed the limited design resources into a visually appealing, cohesive, and user-centric digital experience.

Integrating Media to Enhance User Engagement

To create a website that resonated with NNR Logistics’ global presence, we prioritized the integration of media elements that would add vibrancy and appeal. From the outset, we offered flexibility by allowing the client to either provide their own photos and videos or opt for high-quality stock media that we would help select.
Initially, the plan was to include basic photo and video content to complement the website’s modern aesthetic. However, as the project progressed, the client was impressed with our approach, leading to an expansion of the scope. We assisted NNR in editing existing images to enhance their visual quality and created a custom video for the homepage. Additionally, we edited existing videos to align them with the site’s updated design.
These rich media integrations helped the website feel more dynamic and engaging, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and strengthening NNR’s digital presence

Building a Flexible and User-Friendly Backend

One of the primary goals for the NNR Logistics website redesign was to ensure that the site could be easily managed by the client’s internal teams. To achieve this, SimplePlan developed the website on a WordPress-based backend, which offers straightforward content management and scalability.
We focused on creating a clean and organized backend structure that allowed for easy updates, whether adding new pages, changing images, or modifying text. By opting for WordPress, we enabled NNR to maintain the site efficiently without needing specialized technical skills. Additionally, we provided training and guidance to their team, ensuring they felt confident navigating the system.
The result was a website that not only looked modern and professional but was also practical for daily use. This approach was particularly valuable given the involvement of multiple stakeholders across regions, as it provided a consistent and manageable solution for content updates.

Refining Content to Reflect Modernity and Versatility

The redesign of the NNR Logistics website was not just a visual transformation but also a strategic content upgrade. The client provided raw content, which we then refined to better fit the new website’s tone and structure. Our goal was to move away from the previous focus on safety and instead highlight the brand’s commitment to versatility, global connectivity, and modern logistics solutions.
We carefully edited the text for clarity, ensuring it was concise, professional, and aligned with the company’s evolving image. The challenge here was balancing the technical nature of logistics with approachable, engaging language that would appeal to a diverse audience. We also adapted the copy to complement the new visual elements, creating a cohesive experience where text and design worked together seamlessly.
This meticulous approach to content helped elevate the overall user experience while accurately representing NNR’s forward-thinking approach.

Conclusion

The NNR Logistics website redesign successfully combined modern design, seamless functionality, and refined content within strict brand limits. SimplePlan’s collaborative approach and creative solutions delivered a user-friendly, visually engaging platform that supports NNR’s global presence and future growth, meeting the needs of multiple stakeholders effectively.

Client:

NNR

Sector:

Logistics

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Deliverables:

  • Custom UI/ UX designs
  • Simple animations
  • Custom Handmade 2D Illustrations
  • Photo & Video editing and integration
  • Copy refinement
  • WordPress-based backend