New Logistics Hub for Freight Forwarder to Manage Aircraft Maker's Supply Chain

EUROPE – CHINA – We are at that time of year when many in the supply chain are reviewing budgets and renewing contracts and Swiss based freight forwarder Kuehne + Nagel has announced it is to be retained as lead logistics provider for Airbus, one of the world’s premium aircraft manufacturers, until 2016. K+N will continue to manage Airbus’ entire production logistics in France, Germany, Spain, the UK and China for all aircraft programmes and has undertaken to further streamline operational processes in order to increase efficiency along the aircraft maker’s supply chain.

K+N has now been providing specialised contract logistics for over ten years and has been performing all European production logistics operations for Airbus since 2008, with a continuous extension in the scope of activities and the geographical range as the client’s business has developed. Kuehne + Nagel offers Airbus a comprehensive service package made up of all the standard logistics activities (receipt of goods, quality inspection, storage and picking & packing) and, in addition, has enlarged its portfolio of value added services by taking over tasks not directly related to Airbus’ core business such as section handling, kitting, after sales support and wing wrapping for the aircraft type A380.

A key factor in the success of the contract is a strong focus on operational excellence to support Airbus’ production ramp-up and the development of new programmes in connection with the aircraft types of A350XWB and A320neo. Other milestones in the cooperation with Airbus will be the operation of a new logistics hub, to be opened in Toulouse later in 2014, and further deploying reusable packaging initiatives as well as extending the ordering business into a global approach to reduce the recurring costs of ordering operations.

Photo: The crew of the A350 XWB test aircraft, MSN3, after successfully making the aircraft’s maiden landing in October 2013.