Another Freight Forwarder Expands Chinese Logistics Operations

CHINA – Kuehne + Nagel is the latest European based freight forwarder to upgrade supply chain logistics services within in the country as it spreads its network of offices and road haulage operations particularly in the Central and Western areas. In April K + N launched its first long-haul shuttle between Shanghai and Tianjin departing both points thrice weekly on the 1,200 kilometre route.

This service utilised the K + N hub and spoke operation and brought about a further expansion last month with the introduction of a connection between Shanghai and Guangzhou, again three times a week. Recently, new offices were opened in Fuzhou, Wuxi, Zhengzhou, Taicang, Yangzhou and Yinchuan and the company plans to increase its footprint to 36 cities with the establishment of four more new offices, mainly in the central and western provinces of the country with further network extensions scheduled for 2012.

K + N are backing up the road haulage operations with a full range of supply chain services and ad-hoc features plus value-added services, such as pick and pack operations, labelling and consolidation as well as cargo insurance. Thanks to GPS technology, customers have full visibility along the entire supply chain and by the end of 2011, eight depots will be established at the strategic locations in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Beijing, Xiamen, Chengdu and Wuhan, enabling Kuehne + Nagel to offer a total of 20 links.

Andy Weber, President of Kuehne + Nagel (Asia Pacific) Management Pte. Ltd feels the company can offer customers in China a fully integrated range of supply chain services saying:

“The expansion is in line with our growth strategy and ‘Go-West’ market approach in China. With the additional road logistics services, customers can benefit from a truly high-value integrated logistics package from Kuehne + Nagel as their single-source provider.”