Crown Worldwide Group
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Logistics and associated services |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Jim Thompson |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jim Thompson (founder and chairman) |
| Products | Corporate relocation, personal moving, document storage and management, fine art transportation, office design and fit-out, freight forwarding, wine storage |
Crown Worldwide Group is a privately held global corporation based in Hong Kong, specializing in a broad range of logistics and associated services.
Company overview
In 2018, Crown Worldwide Group recorded revenues near US$828 million alongside assets totaling $736 million. The company manages more than 8.5 million square feet of warehousing space, with a strong focus on continuous investment in new infrastructure. Its business units encompass Crown World Mobility, Crown Relocations, Crown Records Management, Crown Fine Art, Crown Logistics, Crown Wine Cellars, and Crown Workspace.
History
Established in 1965 by American businessman Jim Thompson in Yokohama, Japan, the company originally operated under the name Transport Services International with just one office and an initial capital of $1,000. Expansion into Hong Kong took place in 1970, followed by growth throughout Asia Pacific including Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. By 1975, the firm adopted the name Crown Pacific to reinforce its presence across Asia. The 1980s marked further development into markets in America, Australasia, and Europe under the current Crown Worldwide Group brand.
Thompson, who serves as founder and chairman, earned a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from San Jose State University. After graduation, he moved to Asia and has since lived in both Japan and Hong Kong. He holds U.S. citizenship as well as permanent residency status in Hong Kong.
In 2002, recognizing an unmet demand for wine storage in Asia, Thompson proposed transforming Hong Kong’s Central Ordnance Munitions Depot into a commercial wine cellar complemented by a private members’ clubhouse. After extensive discussions with various government agencies and securing a seven-year lease agreement, Crown invested HKD 30 million (approximately $3.8 million). The Crown Wine Cellars facility opened in 2003 within four of the twelve original bunkers dating back to World War II. The clubhouse includes three reception rooms—two located 20 meters below ground—capable of hosting up to 100 seated guests or more than 200 for cocktail receptions.
Following its establishment in Hong Kong, Crown Wine Cellars expanded its operations into Mainland China. The Hong Kong location is situated within the park-like surroundings of Shouson Hill on Hong Kong Island.
Important milestones
Throughout its 55-year existence, Crown has reached significant achievements within art transportation and relocation sectors.
In 2005, Crown Fine Art handled the relocation of the Mona Lisa, assisting the Louvre Museum with both frame replacement and reinstallation. Although modest in size, the artwork is notably heavy due to its secure mounting system.
In April 2007, Crown Relocations managed the transfer of two giant pandas from China to Ocean Park Hong Kong, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the Hong Kong SAR government.
Since its inception, Crown Workspace has experienced substantial growth, notably acquiring Fusion Workplace Services and Premier Workplace Services in 2018 to strengthen its office design and fit-out expertise.
Additionally, Crown Fine Art played a key role in supporting the Rijksmuseum’s Operation Night Watch by relocating Rembrandt’s The Night Watch painting for the third time. This critical conservation effort involved moving the masterpiece for comprehensive research and restoration work following an earlier move during museum renovations in 2003.
Brands
- Crown World Mobility – offers corporate relocation solutions for both international and domestic employee transfers.
- Crown Relocations – provides personal moving services, encompassing visa support, family assistance, and real estate offerings.
- Crown Information Management – delivers document storage, management, destruction, and advisory services in over 40 countries.
- Crown Fine Art – caters to fine art clients such as museums and collectors with expert transportation, installation, and storage.
- Crown Workspace – specializes in office design, interior fit-out projects, and commercial office moves.
- Crown Logistics – manages international freight forwarding and logistics for sectors including furniture, fixtures, equipment, hospitality, and oil & gas.
- Crown Wine Cellars – operates wine storage and handling services in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Marques
In the 1970s, the prevalent red and black colors of commercial trucks in Hong Kong inspired Crown Pacific’s choice of branding hues, which extended to their business cards. Over the years, the red shade gained dominance while the crown emblem remained a consistent element in the company’s logo.
Today, the Crown brand name and emblem are used alongside service-specific identifiers to represent its diverse business areas.