Within this environment, medication handling remains a critical and highly regulated function. Medications must be prepared accurately and safely, with full compliance to labelling, traceability and expiry requirements. At the same time, operational steps such as sorting bulk medication, repacking into single-use formats, labelling, barcoding and quality checks are labour-intensive, placing pressure on space, manpower and time within healthcare institutions.

Through ongoing engagement with healthcare partners, it became clear that these operational demands were increasingly difficult to manage within healthcare institutions, particularly as patient volumes continued to rise and workforce pressures persisted.

Supporting medication workflows beyond hospital settings
As healthcare providers looked for ways to manage these operational demands while maintaining the required quality, safety and regulatory standards, there was a need for additional capacity to support medication preparation.

To address this need, Kuehne+Nagel expanded its existing healthcare logistics operations in Singapore to support medication repackaging and labelling activities within a controlled environment outside healthcare institutions. The solution builds on healthcare logistics operations that have supported medication workflows in Singapore for many years, as well as established healthcare and pharmaceutical operations supported by GMP-compliant facilities, specialised infrastructure and trained personnel, including qualified pharmacists and dedicated quality teams.

All repackaging and labelling activities are carried out in licensed, clean and controlled premises under pharmacist supervision. Processes are governed by robust quality systems that support accurate labelling, expiry management and full traceability, helping to maintain patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Reducing operational burden to protect clinical time
Today, these healthcare logistics operations are conducted at scale, with more than 20 dedicated production stations supporting medication packaging activities across both ambient (15°C to 25°C) and cold chain (2°C to 8°C) conditions. This dedicated capacity helps reduce the operational burden on healthcare facilities, where such activities are typically carried out by small pharmacy teams alongside their clinical responsibilities.

Preparing medications in unit dose repackaging formats can support a range of care delivery models. While the current focus is on supporting hospital operations, the approach may also offer opportunities to support community-based and home-centred care models in the future, where appropriate and subject to relevant requirements and quality controls.

For healthcare providers, the impact is practical. Medication packaging outside of their healthcare institutions reduce pressure on limited onsite space, provides access to compliant infrastructure with built-in resilience, and allows capacity to be adjusted in line with changing demand without significant additional investment. Most importantly, it helps protect the time of pharmacists, nurses and clinicians, allowing them to focus on patient care and clinical responsibilities.

A support role within a changing healthcare landscape
As Singapore continues to strengthen preventive care and support healthier ageing, reducing operational burden plays an important role in sustaining the healthcare system. By combining healthcare logistics expertise, GMP-compliant operations and dedicated quality oversight, Kuehne+Nagel supports safe and reliable medication workflows that help healthcare institutions manage growing demand while allowing pharmacists, nurses and clinicians to focus on patient care.

Kuehne+Nagel has announced a strategic investment in a new fleet of prime movers in Thailand to meet the rising demand for reliable and scalable cross-border transportation across Southeast Asia. This initiative builds on the successful 2024 acquisition of City Zone Express, a well-established logistics provider operating across Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and China.

The fleet will be deployed in three phases: the first batch is already operational, while the second and third batches are scheduled for rollout in January and April 2026 respectively. Once fully deployed, the expanded fleet will include nearly 40 prime movers and 100 containers, giving customers greater capacity and flexibility to move goods efficiently across Southeast Asia.

David Roussiere, Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar said: “Customers in fast-growing sectors like e-commerce and high-tech can benefit from customised road logistics solutions, including add-ons like real-time visibility and multimodal options. As supply chains evolve, we are committed to helping businesses build resilience, optimise costs and meet their sustainability goals.”

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport has committed over USD 64 billion to infrastructure development since 2022, including major investments in highway construction and logistics connectivity. The ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS) continues to streamline operations across Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, playing a key role in ASEAN’s efforts to boost intra-regional trade and reduce transaction costs.

With this fleet expansion in Thailand, customers will benefit from faster response times and more reliable transport options to keep their supply chains moving smoothly.

With this AEO certification, companies can have peace of mind knowing that our operations adhere to the stringent supply chain security standards set by Japan Customs. With simplified customs procedures and fewer interventions, their shipments traverse the international trade network swiftly and securely.

Earning this certification was no small feat. It involved an extensive process spanning 2 to 2.5 years. This journey included numerous presentations, engagements with customs officials, multiple rounds of audits, and comprehensive assessments conducted across all our offices.

"In line with our Vision 2030 to become the most trusted supply chain partner supporting a sustainable future, this accomplishment underscores our steadfast commitment to delivering secure, seamless logistics solutions to our valued customers," Cédric Dulong, President of Kuehne+Nagel Japan, affirms.

"This achievement was made possible by our team's unwavering dedication. It serves as a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence," he adds.

The awards were presented during a grand ceremony hosted by KIFFA. Twenty notable individuals representing 10 organisations were recognised for their excellent achievements in the logistics sector, with Kuehne+Nagel Korea being one of the proud achievers. The event, attended by nearly 170 industry professionals, witnessed the recipients receiving merit plaques and certificates of commendation for their outstanding achievements.

Notable guests included representatives from key port authorities such as the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority, Ulsan Port Authority, Busan Port Authority, and experts from the Korea Marine and Oceanographic Development Institute (KORDI).

Simon Fich, Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Korea, expressed his gratitude: "We are deeply honoured by KIFFA and Yeosu-Gwangyang Port's recognition. This distinction highlights our pivotal role as an international logistics organisation actively supporting the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) vision for 2030. Our mission aligns with the MOF's goal of creating high-value-added smart ports with global competitiveness. We are committed to raising awareness about Gwangyang's significance as a critical hub for intra-Asia trade in Korea."

Kuehne+Nagel Korea remains dedicated to driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in logistics, and this award serves as a testament to its relentless pursuit of excellence.

"In line with our Roadmap 2026, renewable energy, including the solar sector, holds a strategic significance,” Alan Ni, President of Kuehne+Nagel Greater China said: “Despite the interconnected challenges and opportunities encountered by both JA Solar and Kuehne+Nagel in 2023, our strength in innovative solutions, excellent service, and ongoing enhancements empowered JA Solar to establish supply chain resilience in the swiftly evolving landscape."

Being at the forefront of global solar adoption, China offers an ideal collaboration environment. JA Solar, a prominent Chinese solar panel manufacturer with a substantial market presence both home and abroad, places its trust in Kuehne+Nagel as its reliable logistics partner for its continued expansion in global markets. Our unwavering commitment is to facilitate JA Solar's growth and renewable energy transition through our expertise and collaborative approach.

This award demonstrates Kuehne+Nagel Indonesia's unwavering commitment to winning as a team, underscoring both companies’ dedication to fostering strong and collaborative partnerships.

Kuehne+Nagel Indonesia has consistently provided crucial support to adidas Indonesia for over 10 years, particularly in managing their sea freight shipments and strategically optimising container utilisation.

Mario Vrljicak, General Manager, Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel Indonesia, expresses his gratitude, saying, "We are truly honoured to receive this accolade. adidas Indonesia's confidence in our team and supply chain solutions is greatly appreciated. At Kuehne+Nagel Indonesia, we understand the critical value of attentively listening to and comprehending our customers' unique needs. Our main goal is to offer an extraordinary experience with adidas Indonesia in every connection."

"Our dedicated team invested significant time in thoroughly understanding adidas Indonesia's specific requirements," Mario emphasises the comprehensive effort put in, saying, "As a result, we developed a customised solution to optimise the shipping fill rate, proving our dedication to creating value in all aspects of our partnership. As we forge ahead in our partnership with adidas Indonesia, we eagerly look forward to a future marked by sustainable growth, ongoing evolution, and a commitment to innovative practices."

Kuehne+Nagel has secured a contract from the leading global wind turbine supplier Envision Energy to transport 190 wind turbine generators (WTG) and 67 tower sets to Saudi Arabia’s new special economic zone, NEOM.

Expected to be completed in 2025, this major project involves the specialised transport of 1.4 million freight tons of WTG. A team of over 100 project logistics professionals, vessel chartering experts, transport engineers, drivers and riggers, will work together to ensure the success of the operation. A dedicated office has been established in the city of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, to coordinate teams at NEOM’s port and the wind farm site.

NEOM is a special economic zone in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. NEOM means ‘new future’ and is intended to become a model for sustainable urban living powered entirely by renewable energy. One of the best-known NEOM projects is “The Line”, the carbon-neutral linear smart city currently under construction on the Red Sea.

When completed, the NEOM wind farm will generate 1.67 GW of renewable energy to power the plant of the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, the world's largest facility for producing hydrogen on a large scale.

Stefan Paul, CEO of Kuehne+Nagel International AG, said: “This is a major milestone in Kuehne+Nagel’s Roadmap 2026, our new strategy that we presented in March this year. We see great potential in providing solutions for renewable energy customers and the NEOM project is a testament to our logistics expertise in this high-growth field that supports the global energy transition.”

Globally, Kuehne+Nagel has successfully provided project logistics solutions to a wide range of original equipment manufacturers, encompassing specialised project management and tailor-made supply chain services. Kuehne+Nagel’s expertise extends to origin and destination/site services, innovative freight solutions, maintenance, repair and operations, distribution and warehousing services.  

As Managing Director of the India Cluster, David will lead a team of 850 industry experts across 28 locations. His impressive background and over 20 years of experience in the logistics industry make him the ideal candidate to drive Kuehne+Nagel's operations and expand its presence in the Indian market. David has held several senior management positions within the company, including Managing Director for the Kuehne+Nagel Singapore cluster, Managing Director for Kuehne+Nagel UAE & Oman, and Managing Director for Kuehne+Nagel Vietnam.

Siewloong Wong, Regional Head for Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific, said: “Kuehne+Nagel India has performed admirably over the years, despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic. With David's professional background and strong leadership experience, we are certain he will continue to drive the growth of Kuehne+Nagel India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives and make it a key contributor to the region's success.”

David said on this appointment: “India has enormous potential and a rapid growth trajectory, backed by strong government support. I am confident that with the highly qualified, experienced, and customer-centric team in India, we can build on the company's current success and steer profitable growth in the coming years.”

Kuehne+Nagel has opened two dedicated fulfilment centres for Elanco, a leading animal healthcare company, in Chengdu, West China. The new facilities now comprise a 3,000 sqm manufacturing warehouse and a 12,000 sqm distribution centre for finished products, increasing the total space in surface and storage capacity through optimised racking systems.

Both facilities fully comply with the regulatory healthcare requirements and are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to support efficient operations while contributing to reducing carbon emissions through electric warehouse equipment, LED lighting and minimised paper processes. To streamline the process whilst satisfying the most stringent standards on healthcare products administration, a state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System and Computerised Systems Validation have been implemented for this project.

Marcello Ferrari, Vice President Global Head Customer Development Healthcare, Contract Logistics for Kuehne+Nagel said: “Our partnership with Elanco in China builds upon our existing collaborations in India and Mexico and highlights our commitment to the animal healthcare industry globally. As an animal healthcare customer, Elanco relies on the highest quality standards. With our HealthChain label, we ensure that our customers’ products are in the best hands across our entire network. Gaining our customers’ trust is a core element of our strategic Roadmap 2026.”

“China is already the second largest market for Elanco, next to the United States, our home market. Thanks to Kuehne+Nagel, we managed to consolidate our existing facilities and upgrade our supply chain operation to the next level. We are looking forward to seizing the growth opportunities in China’s fast-growing animal healthcare market with Kuehne+Nagel as our indispensable logistics partner,” said Dylan Lu, Vice President of Elanco (Greater China).

Alan brings over 20 years of leadership experience and knowledge of the global air logistics industry. In his previous assignment, he was Head of Air Logistics for Kuehne+Nagel Greater China. Before that, from 2016 to 2019, he served as Air Logistics Director for the East China Cluster.

Wong Siew Loong, President of Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific, says: “With Alan’s professional background, extensive knowledge of Greater China, and strong leadership experience, we are confident that he will continue to drive the growth of Kuehne+Nagel Greater China, a key contributor to the region’s success.”

Alan started his career with Exel, a UK-based logistics company now part of DHL. In a logistics career spanning two decades, he has held operations and management positions in several well-known companies in the industry, including JHJ, Hellmann, and Agility.

Graduated from the prestigious Shanghai Tongji University, Alan holds a Bachelor's degree in Administration. He is also an active member of Tongji University Alumni.

A Singaporean, Siew Loong brings more than twenty years of professional experience in the logistics industry having served in multiple leadership roles in Asia.

Most recently as Kuehne+Nagel’s regional co-head for Asia Pacific, he was responsible for Greater China and the successful acquisition of Apex International. Prior to that, he served as the company’s regional manager for North Asia Pacific between 2015 – 2019.

Siew Loong began his career as a management trainee at NOL Group where he held several key managerial positions, including regional president of the group’s North Asian liner and logistics sector. Before joining Kuehne+Nagel in 2015, he served as Global Chief Financial Officer at APL Logistics.

“These are exciting but also challenging times for the industry in a rapidly evolving Asia Pacific region,” said Siew Loong. “I look forward to working with our talented team of experts to deliver a seamless logistics experience for our customers, helping them to fulfil their commitments and realising their business objectives.”

Siew Loong holds a Master in Social Science (Applied Economics) degree and an EMBA diploma from the China Europe International Business School. 

Kuehne+Nagel, the leading global logistics service provider, was named Best Freight Forwarder at India's first  National Logistics Excellence Award, held in New Delhi by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

The awards are intended to spotlight the change-makers driving innovation and transformation in the logistics sector in the country. The Ministry of Commerce and Industries undertook a year-long process of identifying, categorizing, and selecting qualified applications from 169 entries in 12 award categories.

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, presented the award while commending the logistics industry's efforts during the Covid-19 outbreak by developing resilient and efficient supply chains, overcoming the challenges of the pandemic and supporting trade growth as seen over the last two years. Kuehne+Nagel won the award amidst stiff competition from logistics companies in India.

Coen van der Maarel, Managing Director – India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Kuehne+Nagel, comments: “We are very pleased to have won the accolade.  Among the pandemic's vulnerabilities and challenges, the award is a huge recognition and encouragement for our team and a testament to all of our efforts to deliver consistent, reliable and timely services to our valued customers.”

Kuehne+Nagel provides integrated logistics solutions across sea logistics, air logistics, road logistics, and contract logistics from a team of highly experienced professionals.

Kuehne+Nagel, the global logistics company, today announced the launch of the electric vehicle service for airport transfers in Mumbai, India. With this service, Kuehne+Nagel aims to switch to electric vehicles in a phased manner to reduce its carbon footprint and progress towards a sustainable future and Greener India. 

The Indian-made electric vehicle “Mahindra Treo Zor” will shuttle air cargo between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Kuehne+Nagel’s Mumbai Airport warehouse. The use of the EVs is expected to result in a reduction of 24.7 tonnes vehicular CO2 emissions each year, thus reducing the company's overall carbon footprint.

Marcel Fujike, SVP, Global Head Products & Services Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, says: “As an environmentally and socially responsible organisation, Kuehne+Nagel is proud to use EVs in India for its airport transfers to offer green logistics solutions and reduce carbon emissions. Our customers have benefited from the global availability of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) since last year, and we continue to develop sustainable solutions for a fully carbon neutral transport journey. The introduction of EV airport transfer is the next phase in our transition to low-carbon, door-to-door air transportation, with more sustainable services to follow.”

“Today the transportation of goods is a major contributor to carbon emissions. Fully electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, but even when electricity production is taken into account, petrol or diesel vehicles emit almost three times more carbon dioxide than the average EV. Using EVs will not only reduce carbon footprint but will also offer substantial operating cost savings over comparable, conventional, gasoline-fueled vehicles, allowing us to contribute significantly to the sustainability cause”, adds Coen Van Der Maarel, Managing Director - India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Kuehne+Nagel.

Kuehne+Nagel’s initiative of introducing electric vehicles in India is aligned with the company’s global sustainability goals. The company is taking several initiatives globally to create a sustainable future and reduce its environmental footprint.

One of Thailand’s leading supermarket retailers, Lotus’s, has partnered with logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel Thailand to become the first supermarket retailer in the country to use electric vehicles (EVs) in their distribution operations for bakery delivery. Through this partnership, the two companies will mark a first for the retail industry in Thailand, and pave the way towards greater sustainability for the nation.  

The first stage of the bakery distributions using EVs has been rolled out recently in Bangkok, with further plans to increase the number of vehicles and cities to 5 Bangkok routes and 21 regional routes in the coming months. Prior, Lotus’s distributions used standard diesel vans. The replacement of these vans with EVs is expected to result in a reduction of 24.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions per truck each year, greatly reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint.

“Lotus’s is committed to ensuring its operations are sustainable, and we are delighted to work with Kuehne+Nagel Thailand to achieve this milestone and towards Charoen Pokphand Group’s ambition to become a net zero organisation by 2030. As one of the leading supermarket retailers in Thailand, we hope the positive impact we are making will inspire other companies to follow suit,” said Mr. Ekachai Phoosanabhongs, Distribution Director, Lotus’s Thailand.

Bjoern Schoon, Managing Director for Kuehne+Nagel Thailand says: “We are proud to be a part of this initiative, and help pave the way for more similar projects in Thailand and around the world. The EV project is a key development in making logistics more sustainable, and Kuehne+Nagel is committed to helping customers achieve their sustainability goals.”

Simon has held several leadership positions in the Asia Pacific in a logistics career spanning two decades. He joined Kuehne+Nagel in 2011, holding positions in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei and Switzerland.

“I am pleased to have Simon on board. Simon Fich brings a wealth of Asian experience and knowledge to this important role, and has an exceptional track record of growing businesses and delivering strategic transformation. I am confident that he will continue to build on the excellent foundation laid by JW Chung, who retires after 38 years with Kuehne+Nagel,” said Jens Drewes, President of Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific.

Simon Fich said: “The successful tenure of JW Chung humbles me. I look forward to building on the strong foundation put in place and continue to grow Kuehne+Nagel Korea.”

QuickSTAT, a subsidiary of Kuehne+Nagel, has opened a new control tower and conditioning facility in Singapore. The investment is part of Kuehne+Nagel and QuickSTAT’s pharma and healthcare strategy to further expand their logistics capabilities to serve customers across Asia Pacific. As a leading biomedical science hub in the heart of Asia and its proximity to the rest of the region, Singapore is a strategic location for the new QuickSTAT facility.

QuickSTAT is an expert in managing global clinical trial logistics for all phases of the product lifecycle from research and drug development through to commercialisation. The company specialises in time and temperature shipping of clinical research samples, biologics, investigational drugs, clinical trial supplies and vaccines in order to help bring new drugs and medical protocols to market safely and quickly.

The new conditioning facility located at Kuehne+Nagel’s regional centre of excellence - the Singapore Logistics Hub - caters to a full suite of healthcare logistics services for all stages of the pharmaceutical product lifecycle. It provides superior management of cell and gene therapies, where QuickSTAT’s specialists will ensure proper handling, packaging and storage of the time-and-temperature sensitive products. Additionally, the facility includes a controlled-ambient warehouse and in-transit storage for vaccines, investigational drugs, patient clinical specimens and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

Jack Liu, Senior Vice President, Air Logistics of Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific said: “Kuehne+Nagel is delighted to partner with QuickSTAT to provide seamless end-to-end solutions, adding value to our pharma and healthcare customers in Asia Pacific. With the ISO-certified and GxP compliant facility that upholds the best practices for storage, conditioning, transportation, routings and logistics – I am confident that we will consistently deliver product integrity and patient safety.”

“We are committed to providing innovative and customised logistics as well as transportation solutions to meet the ever-challenging demands of the pharma, biotech and life science industry, in all regions of the world. By continuing to expand our global footprint to locations of strategic importance, we are able to provide local and global support for Kuehne+Nagel and QuickSTAT customers,” said Cyril Leger, Executive Vice President of QuickSTAT.

Kuehne+Nagel has agreed to sell to Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, a 24.9% equity stake in Apex International Corporation ("Apex" or "the Company"). Following the transaction, Partners Group will join majority shareholder Kuehne+Nagel Group, one of the world's leading logistics companies, with a seat on the Apex Board.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Shanghai, Apex is one of Asia's leading freight forwarders, especially on the transpacific and intra-Asia trade routes. The Company has around 1,600 employees across 41 locations globally. In 2020, Apex generated turnover of CHF 2.2 billion, gross profit of CHF 296 million and earnings before taxes of CHF 126 million and ranked seventh in terms of global air freight forwarding volume.

Partners Group will work alongside Kuehne+Nagel to implement a transformational value creation plan for Apex together with the Company's management team. Key initiatives include establishing new freight forwarding routes; identifying new growth verticals, such as healthcare; and M&A.

Yngve Ruud, Executive Vice President Air Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel International AG, Chairman of Apex, comments: "On behalf of Kuehne+Nagel as well as Apex’s CEO Tony Song and his management team, we welcome the addition of Partners Group as a shareholder. By combining the financial and strategic expertise of Partners Group with the industry heritage and experience of Kuehne+Nagel, Apex will have access to a powerful partnership through which to consolidate our position in China and further develop the Company."

Dr. Marcel Erni, Co-Founder, Member of the Board of Directors, Partners Group, says: "Apex is a leading player in the China cross-border freight forwarding market, with a growing international presence and significant potential for further expansion. We have long admired the Company and its management team and are excited to be able to contribute to its future growth. Similarly, we are delighted to partner with Kuehne+Nagel, one of the world's longest-established logistics companies, blending private equity with leading logistics industry expertise."

Dr. Joerg Wolle, Chairman of the Board, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, states: "The strategic focus on expansion in Asia, initiated by the Kuehne+Nagel Board about three years ago, is paying off in terms of organic growth supported by acquisitions. We believe Partners Group, with its extensive experience and network, is an ideal partner for Kuehne+Nagel."

Sheng Liu, Managing Director, Private Equity, Partners Group, adds: "We started following the development of Apex after identifying it through our thematic investing approach several years ago. Apex benefits from the rise of cross-border e-commerce – a key transformative trend that has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to working with Kuehne+Nagel as well as Tony Song and his management team to realize this potential."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance by the competent merger control authorities. Apex will then continue to operate separately within the Kuehne+Nagel Group.

Kuehne+Nagel announces the road-to-rail programme with Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda. The programme increasingly relies on train transport on long haul routes, coupled with the use of regional hubs for improved supply chain performance and reduced carbon emissions.

Kuehne+Nagel first announced its Net Zero Carbon programme in 2019, aiming to address CO2 reduction in transport and logistics services. Since 2020, the company has been CO2 neutral worldwide for all own, direct emissions. Kuehne+Nagel further offers solutions to support customers in reducing their carbon footprint.

Through KN Sincero, a joint venture dedicated to supply chain services for the automotive industry, Kuehne+Nagel has been developing a strong footprint in China. In light of challenges around inbound-to-manufacturing transportation, KN Sincero developed an integrated solution for Honda to convert domestic long-haul trucking to rail, offering consolidations and value-added services including sorting, scanning, repackaging, GPS track & trace, as well as recyclable container management.

After six months, the supply chain reliability and efficiency improved significantly. With this road-to-rail model, approximately 16,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 will be emitted on a yearly base, a reduction of 70% compared to the trucking model.

Mr. Jiang Hui and Mr. Takuji Kitamura, Joint General Manager of Wuhan Dong Hon, the logistics affiliate of Dongfong Honda Automotive said: “Kuehne+Nagel has always been a supply chain partner that we can rely on, to help us improve our supply chain performance whilst also achieving our environmental goals.”

“Automotive is one of the most important sectors in Contract Logistics, particularly in China, the world’s largest automotive market. I am glad that Kuehne+Nagel and Honda share a common vision of service, innovation and sustainability,” said Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics.

Kuehne+Nagel has completed the acquisition of Apex International Corporation (“Apex”), following the satisfaction of all closing conditions, including the receipt of unconditional regulatory approvals from the competent authorities.

Apex is one of Asia’s leading freight forwarders, especially on the transpacific and intra-Asia trade routes. In 2020, the company generated turnover of CHF 2.2 billion, gross profit of CHF 296 million and earnings before taxes of CHF 126 million and ranked seventh in terms of global air freight forwarding volume. In the first quarter of 2021, Apex has continued to perform strongly with turnover of CHF 556 million, gross profit of CHF 109 million and earnings before tax of CHF 64 million.

Together, Kuehne+Nagel and Apex offer their customers a compelling value proposition in the competitive Asian logistics industry, especially in e-commerce fulfilment, hi-tech and e-mobility.

Dr. Joerg Wolle, Chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, says: “With the acquisition of Apex, Kuehne+Nagel complements its successful organic growth strategy and substantiates its strong position as one of the world’s largest logistics providers. With this transaction we are expanding the Group’s service offering, networks and potential for growth, in Asia and globally.”

Kuehne+Nagel has acquired the majority of the shares in Apex. A minority participation remains with the Apex management, with the parties retaining customary contractual rights to acquire and sell these shares. The purchase price paid at closing amounts to CHF 1.1 billion and has been financed by the Group’s own funds and approximately 750,000 new Kuehne+Nagel shares issued out of authorized share capital. In addition, over the next three years, Kuehne+Nagel will have the opportunity to acquire all other shares in Apex for a performance-based consideration.

The experienced management team of Apex will continue to run the company, supported by the global network, capabilities and solutions of the Kuehne+Nagel Group.

The economic benefits of the Apex business have been effectively transferred to Kuehne+Nagel with effect from January 1, 2021 as per the terms of the transaction agreement. However, the Apex result will be fully consolidated in Kuehne+Nagel’s financial statements from the closing date of this transaction.

Kuehne+Nagel has successfully delivered its first 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a leading biopharmaceutical company in China (Nasdaq: SVA) to Bangkok, Thailand.

The shipment is part of a global agreement between the two companies. The 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine arrived in Bangkok by air transport from Beijing in special active cooling containers. The team adhered to the strict temperature requirement of +2 to +8°C, ensuring the integrity of the product.

“We are proud to be part of Thailand’s fight against the pandemic by delivering vaccines to the citizens timely and in compliance with the required temperature control. In line with the Thai government’s vaccination strategy, we are ready to support the private sector with the import of the vaccines,” says Sataporn Tanachaisak, National Air Logistics Manager, Kuehne+Nagel Thailand.

Kuehne+Nagel’s global KN PharmaChain network covers almost 250 GxP-certified operations having more than 3,500 GxP trained staff members dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. In Asia Pacific alone, more than 44 GxP stations are well-established.

About Kuehne+Nagel

With 72,500 employees at 1,400 locations in over 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world's leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in sea logistics, air logistics, road logistics and contract logistics, with a clear focus on integrated logistics solutions.

Kuehne+Nagel successfully helped Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a leading biopharmaceutical company in China (Nasdaq: SVA) fulfill its first Covid-19 vaccine shipment from Beijing, China to the Dominican Republic.

Sinovac is one of the global players in Covid-19 vaccine research and development. To date, the vaccine has been approved for emergency use or conditional marketing authorisation in more than 20 countries, including China, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey and Chile.

The pilot shipment containing 768,000 vials of Covid-19 vaccine was stored in active temperature-controlled containers and arrived safely in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, on February 23, benefitting its citizens just before its Independence Day. The shipment was closely monitored and compliant with the most stringent standards to guarantee product integrity.

Helen Yang, General Manager of Sinovac Biotech (Hong Kong) Limited said: “The Dominican Republic is 14,000 kilometers away from our factory in Beijing. During the ongoing pandemic, there are very few carriers connecting to this remote destination. However, Kuehne+Nagel responded to us with a feasible solution in just a short span of twelve hours. Even during the Chinese New Year holidays, the Kuehne+Nagel team was diligently preparing this shipment. We look forward to a collaborative partnership with Kuehne+Nagel.”

Siewloong Wong, President of Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific said: “We couldn’t be prouder to having started shipments of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine. At Kuehne+Nagel, we leverage our global pharma & healthcare network and expertise to bring the Sinovac vaccine to the market. We truly appreciate the trust that Sinovac has bestowed upon us.”

Prior to this shipment, Kuehne+Nagel successfully fulfilled multiple crucial assignments for Sinovac, including an air charter from Beijing to Turkey for a door-to-door delivery of nearly a quarter-million flu vaccines. Kuehne+Nagel also helped with the shipment of Hepatitis A vaccine to Guatemala in South America as well as making nucleic acid detection kits available to people in Indonesia.

With offices all over the world, 240 GxP-certified operations and more than 3,000 dedicated pharma & healthcare specialists, Kuehne+Nagel has the capacity, the ability and the responsibility to play a vital role in the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccine.

Kuehne+Nagel announces a strategic partnership with Jointown, China’s largest non-state-owned pharmaceutical distribution company, to accelerate its footprint in pharma and healthcare logistics in China.

As one of the leading logistics providers in the world, Kuehne+Nagel has been especially focused on developing pharma & healthcare expertise for the past decade. The partnership with Jointown now affords access to their fully GxP-compliant, in-country storage and distribution network, enabling Kuehne+Nagel to comply with the highly-regulated Chinese pharma & healthcare sector.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Jointown. Our cooperation perfectly meets the demands of our global clientele by enabling seamless supply chain coverage connecting China. This will enable us to accelerate our growth in the pharma and healthcare sector in China,” says Siewloong Wong, President of Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific.

Zhang Qingsong, General Manager of the logistics business unit of Jointown Pharmaceutical Group, adds: “Partnering with Kuehne+Nagel will provide Jointown’s customers access to the international market through their global GxP certified air, sea and overseas contract logistics operations. We will now be able to expand our business in overseas markets at a much faster pace and benefit from the partnership in a sustainable way.”

With Covid-19 vaccines becoming widely approved for use in more countries, Jointown and Kuehne+Nagel will collaborate to manage vaccine distribution in a safe and timely manner, leveraging their respective strengths in vaccine storage and distribution both in China and other parts of the world.

Gianfranco Sgro, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics, says: “Pharma & Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in Contract Logistics. Kuehne+Nagel and Jointown share a common vision of service excellence for patients and customers in China and abroad”.

The partnership with Jointown comes shortly after Kuehne+Nagel announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Chinese company Apex International Corporation, one of Asia’s leading freight forwarders.

Kuehne+Nagel enters into a binding agreement to acquire Apex International Corporation (“Apex”), one of Asia’s leading freight forwarders, especially in the transpacific and intra-Asia. The company was founded in China in 2001 and has expanded throughout Asia and beyond over the years of its growth history.

With approximately 1,600 employees, Apex generates yearly turnover in excess of CHF 2.1 billion. In 2020, the company handled total air freight volume of approximately 750,000 tons and sea freight volume of 190,000 TEU.

Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, says: “The combination of Apex and Kuehne+Nagel provides us with an opportunity to offer our customers a compelling proposition in the competitive Asian logistics industry, especially in e-commerce fulfilment, hi-tech and e-mobility. We are looking forward to welcoming the Apex colleagues to the Kuehne+Nagel family.”

Tony Song, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Apex, adds: “With Kuehne+Nagel, we have found a strategic shareholder and logistics group with more than 130 years of heritage. We are sure that with this transaction, we will be able to add value for our customers’ supply chains and expand our global logistics network. We will complement Kuehne+Nagel’s existing global Air Logistics team while offering our management and key talents unique career opportunities.”

Dr. Joerg Wolle, Chairman of the Board of Directors Kuehne + Nagel International AG, comments: “In the past years, Kuehne+Nagel strategically and with great efforts expanded and developed its business in Asia Pacific. Today we are one of the leading players and are further accelerating our growth and impact in this region. Asia Pacific has consistently proven to be one of the most important drivers of global trade. The acquisition of Apex is a further important cornerstone in our strategy and significant fulfilment of the Group’s Asia Pacific ambition.”

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including merger clearance by the competent competition authorities. The purchase price will be financed by available liquid sources and, if needed, by available credit lines. Following closing of the transaction, a minor stake of Apex shares is to remain with the experienced and entrepreneurial management of Apex. Furthermore, the company will then continue to operate separately within the Kuehne+Nagel Group.

At this point, both parties have agreed to not disclose any further transaction details.

Cédric Dulong brings with him over 20 years of leadership experience and knowledge of the logistics industry.

Most recently, Cédric was Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific. Before this role, he ascended through a series of positions in general management, operations and for the last 10 years in business development. He started with Kuehne+Nagel in Japan and spent his last 25 years in Asia.

“Japan is one of our key focus markets in Asia Pacific. I’m confident that Cédric’s in-depth knowledge of the industry and rich Asia experience will lead Kuehne+Nagel Japan in its next phase of growth and bring the company to greater heights,” said Jens Drewes, President of Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific.

Cédric Dulong said: “I am excited to be returning to Japan and work alongside with the Kuehne+Nagel Japan team. Building on the solid work done by the team, I look forward to delivering our industry-leading solutions to meet the needs of our Japanese and international customers, helping them in their growth and service excellence.”

Shanghai, CN, November 25, 2020 – Kuehne+Nagel announces the launch of ePortalChina, the latest air freight digital offering which expands Kuehne+Nagel’s online service capabilities beyond explore, quote, book, track; enabling value-added functions focusing on an easy and quick invoicing and payment experience.

The portal allows both individual and company account registrations, enabling Kuehne+Nagel’s Chinese customers to collaborate effectively among co-workers and suppliers while managing their air freight shipments efficiently without too much paperwork and e-mails.

Developed specifically for the Chinese market, ePortalChina responds to the unique local challenges, including streamlining the processes for online generation of the government uniform invoice (e-GUI).

Customers can now pay invoices directly via the digital portal that has access to a large number of Chinese banks. Additionally, bank transfers made via the platform have a clear reference to the corresponding shipments, reducing the customers’ workload on payment reconciliation.

Apart from web browser access, ePortalChina offers a local solution for mobile-centric users by integrating quote and book functionality for WeChat, the largest social media platform among the Chinese community.

“With ePortalChina, customers who prefer the convenience of WeChat can manage their air freight shipment via their smartphones, enjoying full flexibility and visibility. It also addresses the long-time bottleneck of e-invoicing and online payment for B2B transactions,” said Jack Liu, Senior Vice President for Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific, Air Logistics.

The digital tool is now available for Air Logistics services and will eventually be expanded to Sea Logistics and other transportation modes.

ePortalChina is a further step forward in Kuehne+Nagel’s digital transformation to establish a seamless digital customer journey by putting customers’ needs first.

Quick access to ePortalChina:
Web link：https://acct.kuehne-nagel.com
WeChat: Search and follow KuehneNagel德迅 or scan QR code below

Kuehne+Nagel Australia provides Afends Pty Ltd. seamless CO2 neutralisation services for their full container load shipments. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges that the world faces today. According to the Australian National University, transport is the second largest source of carbon emissions in Australia after electricity production.

Kuehne+Nagel is actively addressing a reduction of CO2 in logistics worldwide. With its Net Zero Carbon programme, Kuehne+Nagel provides environmentally friendly and sustainable supply chain solutions, enabling like-minded customers such as Afends to fully neutralise the CO2 emissions of their supply chains.

Dane Ward, Head of Sales and Digital at Afends said: "Afends is committed to being environmentally and socio-economically sustainable in all facets of our company. We look forward to partnerships with suppliers that share a common vision of sustainability and creating a positive change. For this reason, we are excited to be a part of Kuehne+Nagel's Net Zero Carbon programme to measure, reduce and offset our carbon emissions."

To support these efforts and beyond, Kuehne+Nagel Australia will provide Afends a solution for complete CO2 neutralisation of their supply chain including sustainable service offerings for Full-Container-Load shipments, transparent carbon emissions reports, CO2 route planning and offsetting of remaining emissions via certified carbon credits from investments in nature-based projects.

"A partnership with Afends in conjunction with our Net Zero Carbon programme is another step in the right direction, displaying dedication to a sustainable future. We look forward to a long relationship that not only delivers mutual benefits, but for the environment also," added Bjoern Johansson, Managing Director, Kuehne+Nagel Australia.