Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni”) has transferred all shares of Marubeni SuMiT Rail Transport Inc. (hereinafter, “MSRT”), an equity-method affiliate of Marubeni and a holding company of Midwest Railcar Corporation (hereinafter, “MRC”), which operates a railcar leasing business in North America, to an unaffiliated third party.*

Since Marubeni’s full acquisition of MRC in 2006, MRC has grown to become one of the industry’s leading companies in North America, owning more than 25,000 railcars. In 2016, MRC transferred 50% of its stake to Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Panasonic Finance Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, the “SuMiTB Group”), and has since been working with both companies to further enhance its business value.

In its Mid-Term Management Strategy (GC2027), Marubeni aims to accelerate investment recovery and prioritize capital allocation to high-quality growth investments. As part of this initiative, Marubeni has now transferred all shares to the aforementioned unaffiliated third party together with the SuMiTB Group. Marubeni will continue to maximize efficiency of invested capital through prompt divestment and the recycling of assets. 

*Due to contractual confidentiality obligations, details of the transferee are not disclosed.

MSRT Overview
Company Name:	Marubeni SuMiT Rail Transport Inc.
Head Office:	Delaware, USA
Establishment:	October 19, 2006
Representative:	President & CEO Takuo Hayakawa
Main Business:	Investment in MRC, a railroad freight car leasing company
MRC Overview
Company Name:	Midwest Railcar Corporation
Head Office:	Illinois, USA
Establishment:	December 31, 1998
Representative:	President & CEO Richard M. Murphy
Main Business:	Railroad car leasing business in North America
Website:	http://www.midwestrailcar.com/