The partnership between Kuehne+Nagel and Lexmark is based on the common commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. Kuehne+Nagel and Lexmark achieved their 20-year partnership in 2020. The collaboration started in Belgium with a medium-sized contract logistics hub and has since expanded globally, with Kuehne+Nagel offering contract logistics, sea, air and road logistics as well as integrated logistics services across all continents.

Since 2004, Kuehne+Nagel's 4PL team has been working with Lexmark to develop and optimise the Lexmark Cartridge Collection Program (LCCP). As part of the LCCP, Lexmark collects used printer cartridges and remanufactures and recycles  them, reducing waste and minimising the environmental impact of discarded materials. Thanks to Kuehne+Nagel’s global integrated logistics network and expertise of managing reverse logistics across all modes of transport, the company helps Lexmark carry out its LCCP programme in over 30 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The capacity to act as a transport broker for waste carriers across all Europe and beyond, has brought its strong contribution to the long and sustainable partnership. The team designed different box sizes to reduce carton waste and space during transportation while also consolidating orders to optimise line hauls from different locations across Europe, to the Lexmark partner's  remanufacturing centre in Poland. In addition, Kuehne+Nagel's 4PL team has developed a customised order management system with integration to Lexmark’s IT systems to initiate and monitor return flows, further streamlining the reverse logistics process for Lexmark.

A significant milestone in this partnership was the establishment of the Alliance Control Centres (ACC), operated by Kuehne+Nagel in Hungary and Poland. Here, a team of specialists collaborates closely with Lexmark to enhance their operations and introduce sustainable, circular practices. The ACC serves as a hub for managing and optimising logistics operations, ensuring that they are efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.

In addition, Lexmark supports Kuehne+Nagel by providing sustainable print solutions such as Lexmark Managed Print Services (MPS). With the help of the MPS, Kuehne+Nagel optimises its print infrastructure, ensures best-in-class service and supports and streamlines its workflows, thereby reducing its printer fleet, achieving a 77% reduction in cost per page and saving millions of pages of paper.  

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics and Integrated Logistics, comments: “Collaboration is an essential aspect of any successful business, and when two companies join forces, the results can be remarkable. The collaboration between Kuehne+Nagel and Lexmark proves the power of partnerships in driving positive change. With our new Roadmap 2026, we will continue to combine our expertise and resources, allowing the two companies to take their businesses to the next level and work towards a sustainable future.”

Lee Ann Disponett, Manager Corporate Sustainability and EH&S at Lexmark, says: “What started out as a relatively small cartridge collection programme in the 1990s has become a state-of-the-art remanufacturing and recycling mission that is setting standards in our industry and combining high-performance logistics and service with innovative tools to offer a collection, remanufacturing, recycling and reuse process. Over 40% of our cartridges are being returned for remanufacturing. Lexmark devices contain an average of 39% PCR plastic vs. 7%[1] as the industry standard. During the past 20 years, Kuehne+Nagel has been not only a reliable partner but also an enabler that has empowered us to deliver on our sustainability goals by carrying out the reverse logistics of our LCCP programme. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to taking it to the next level by continuing and expanding our partnership in sustainability.”

[1] According to Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) 7% 

Following the growing demand for integrated logistics and requirements for lean and demand-driven supply chains in South & Central America, the LCC was developed to offer digital supply chain management in a shared environment. Based on data analytics and continuous improvement methodologies, the LCC will provide Kuehne + Nagel customers tailored solutions with focus on cost efficiency, reduction of supply chain complexity and increase of supply chain performance.

Strategically positioned in Bogotá and supported by dedicated experts, the new LCC is fully connected to the global LCC network in terms of standard processes and leading technology.

Ingo Goldhammer, President of Kuehne + Nagel South & Central America: “This investment represents our commitment to the region and our customers. The LCC will especially benefit multinational corporations with complex international supply chains. We are pleased to further enhance our existing partnerships especially with our leading pharma, healthcare and beauty industry customers by an upgraded infrastructure and optimised set-up of services and customer-related teams.”

Tobias Jerschke, Global Head of Integrated Logistics: “By strengthening our integrated logistics network with the 9^th LCC globally, we are able to better leverage our innovative value chain solutions also across our growing customer base in South & Central America.”

Siguiendo la creciente demanda en la región de logística integrada y de soluciones lean para las cadenas de suministro, el LCC fue desarrollado para ofrecer gestión digital en un entorno compartido. Basado en análisis de datos y metodologías de mejora continua, el LCC proporcionará a los clientes de Kuehne + Nagel soluciones a la medida y enfocadas en la eficiencia de costos, reducción de la complejidad y aumento del rendimiento de las cadenas de suministro.

Estratégicamente ubicado en Bogotá y respaldado por expertos especializados, el nuevo LCC está completamente conectado a la red global de LCC en términos de procesos estandarizados y tecnología de punta.

"Esta inversión representa nuestro compromiso con la región y con nuestros clientes. El LCC beneficiará especialmente a las compañías con cadenas de suministro internacionales complejas. Nos complace mejorar aún más las asociaciones existentes, especialmente con los principales clientes de la industria farmacéutica, de salud y de belleza, mediante una infraestructura mejorada, una configuración optimizada de servicios y equipos enfocados en los clientes", comentó Ingo Goldhammer, Presidente de Kuehne + Nagel de Sur y Centroamérica.

Tobias Jerschke, Director Global de Logística Integrada complementó: "A través del 9º LCC global, fortalecemos nuestra red de logística integrada, posibilitando atender a nuestra creciente base de clientes en Sur y Centroamérica con soluciones innovadoras para la cadena de valor”.

Seguindo a crescente demanda na região por soluções logísticas integradas e por soluções lean para as cadeias de suprimentos, o LCC foi desenvolvido para oferecer uma gestão digital em um ambiente compartilhado. Com base nas análises de dados e metodologias de melhoria contínua, o LCC proporcionará aos clientes da Kuehne + Nagel soluções customizadas e focadas na eficiência de custos, na redução da complexidade e no aumento do rendimento das cadeias de suprimentos.

Estrategicamente localizado em Bogotá e com o apoio de especialistas dedicados, o novo LCC está totalmente conectado à rede global de LCC em termos de processos padronizados e tecnologia de ponta.

"Este investimento representa o nosso compromisso com a região e com os nossos clientes. O LCC beneficiará especialmente empresas com cadeias de suprimentos internacionais complexas. Estamos contentes por poder aprimorar ainda mais as parcerias existentes, especialmente com os principais clientes da indústria farmacêutica, de saúde e beleza, por meio de uma melhor infraestrutura, uma configuração otimizada de serviços e equipes focadas nos clientes", comentou Ingo Goldhammer, Presidente da Kuehne + Nagel da América do Sul e Central.

Tobias Jerschke, Diretor Global de Logística Integrada complementou: "Através do 9º LCC global, fortalecemos a nossa rede de logística integrada, possibilitando atender a nossa crescente base de clientes da América do Sul e Central com soluções inovadoras para a cadeia de valor”.

KN ControlTowerDynamic will allow SME customers to benefit from a scalable and efficient supply chain management solution with faster time-to-value and a revolutionary pricing model. Based on the global leading Integrated Logistics organisation, KN ControlTowerDynamic has been designed to fulfil all major SME requirements especially for customers in the industrial, consumer and high-tech industries.

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics: “Small and medium-sized enterprises are of special importance for Kuehne + Nagel. They face the same challenges as the big corporations in terms of needs of advanced end-to-end visibility solutions and harmonised reporting and analytics. KN ControlTowerDynamic is the first product in the logistics market that is specifically designed for them. It completes our global offering. We are an active partner in the digital transformation of the SME’s around the world.”

The Logistics Control Centre (LCC) in Shanghai provides a wide range of managed services addressing the fulfilment of customers’ orders across international supply chains. In order to simplify complexity and to meet customers’ requirements for lean and demand-driven supply chains, dedicated teams handle contract and transportation management including logistics partner management in a shared environment. In addition, customer data analytics and continuous improvement methodologies are important activities.

Kuehne + Nagel’s Integrated Logistics’ ControlTower services in North Asia Pacific are of particular interest for customers of the automotive, consumer, high-tech, industrial and pharma & healthcare industries.

Siewloong Wong, President Kuehne + Nagel North Asia Pacific: “The new LCC in Shanghai is in line with the Group’s strategic approach to globally provide integrated logistics services and to expand Kuehne + Nagel’s end-to-end offering also in North Asia Pacific. With the enhanced set-up and know-how bundled in expert teams, we will be able to even better serve our customers by developing, implementing and operating scalable solutions for greater flexibility and speed, thus improving supply chain performance.”

Tobias Jerschke, Global Head of Integrated Logistics: “The Kuehne + Nagel Logistics Control Centre in Shanghai is the eighth of its kind in the world. The footprint extension of our LCC is a clear answer to the growing demand of our Asian customers to manage global supply chains flows.”

The Logistics Control Centre (LCC) in Wroclaw offers Integrated Logistics Services for the fulfilment of customers’ orders across international supply chains. It is part of Kuehne + Nagel’s global network of Integrated Logistics Control Centers, consisting of seven strategic locations across the globe.

In order to simplify complexity and to manage various international customers’ requirements for lean and demand-driven supply chains, the staff provides transportation management, logistics partner management, customer data analytics and continuous improvement methodologies to maximize the synergies.

Ingo Goldhammer, Managing Director of Kuehne + Nagel Poland, said, “By extending the Logistics Control Centre in Wroclaw, we improve supply chain performance and flexibility of our customers from automotive, industrial and consumer sector by the one-stop solution for managing their international supply chains.”

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG responsible for Contract Logistics said, “Kuehne + Nagel is a global leader in providing Supply Chain advanced visibility and management throughout a network of Logistics Control Centres. With the expanded Logistics Control Centre in Wroclaw, we continue to invest in strengthening our network. It will allow us to considerably scale our solutions.”

Kuehne + Nagel will be responsible for the main inbound supply route from specific UK sites and the final mile delivery of all subsequent outbound shipments. This new agreement expands Kuehne + Nagel and GSK’s collaboration, comprising air, sea, overland services and Logistics Control Centres, having already signed a five year end-to-end global logistics partnership in 2016. In the scope of this successfully implemented partnership Kuehne + Nagel run the core business of transporting products from the raw materials supplier to trade customers for GSK.

"Following the successful deployment of the air and seafreight operations into Kuehne + Nagel during 2016 as part of the end-to-end partnership with GSK, we are very pleased to now be awarded the overland distribution business, especially in the UK where the GSK journey began. By understanding the challenges facing customers and the increasing execution compliance standards required in the market, we offer GSK tailor-made solutions that provide a competitive advantage through supply chain efficiency. This expanded partnership will enable GSK to continue to develop and deliver their services, facilitating continued global growth through effective distribution of their fast moving consumer and healthcare goods across UK. The new cooperation highlights Kuehne + Nagel’s continued commitment to the pharma and health care industry, which is of strategical importance for us, strengthening our position as the market leader.” said Marcus Bennett, National Manager of Kuehne + Nagel UK.

“When we started with the implementation project we knew that we had a challenging timeline considering the required level of integration. We are glad to see that all operations were implemented on schedule”, stated Gian Paolo Gandini, Corporate Sourcing Director for Belcorp. “During the whole process, Kuehne + Nagel supported us with high professionalism and state-of-the-art technical solutions.”

Boris Franchomme, Managing Director for Kuehne + Nagel Andean cluster said: “We look forward to supporting Belcorp’s growth targets by offering our end-to-end logistics services. Partnering with Belcorp confirms Kuehne + Nagel’s capability to develop and provide tailor-made solutions that are able to reduce logistics costs and increase process efficiency.”

The cooperation between the companies comes in a decisive moment: With effect from July 1, 2016, the current OSRAM Lamps business division is intended to become a legally independent organisation under the name LEDVANCE GmbH in order to suit the requirements caused by the breakthrough of the LED (light-emitting diode) technology. As the logistics partner in Brazil, Kuehne + Nagel will guarantee efficiency, agility and synergy benefits providing state-of-the art services for both OSRAM and LEDVANCE.

Everton Mello, CEO of OSRAM in Brazil, comments: “During a one year preparation time, together with Kuehne + Nagel we were able to build an efficient, hopefully long-lasting partnership to serve better our own customers. Now, that the new facility is fully operational, we can move on even faster and make everything work with a great logistics advantage.”

“We are very excited about this cooperation and our focus is to show operational excellence based on our diversified experience and proven processes and information systems” says Eduardo Razuck, Managing Director of Kuehne + Nagel Brazil. “This business win underlines our capacity to be a strong partner for global consumer goods manufacturers offering logistics solutions with integrated end-to-end supply chain management.”

In line with Kuehne + Nagel’s global end-to-end strategy the LCC in Raleigh will further strengthen Kuehne + Nagel’s worldwide network of integrated logistics control centres, consisting of six strategic locations across the globe. Within these, supply chain professionals with industry-specific expertise and local market knowledge are responsible for the development and management of end-to-end Integrated Logistics services across key markets.

Kuehne + Nagel is an established market leader within the North America Region, comprising of Canada, Mexico and the United States. More than 100 employees in the region are currently dedicated to Integrated Logistics solutions and services, while future growth and market opportunities are expected to drive this number up significantly in the following years.

The value proposition of Kuehne + Nagel’s Integrated Logistics offering is based on a comprehensive range of services that addresses the fulfillment of customers’ orders across international supply chains. Dedicated customer-related teams for contract management, continuous improvement, logistics partner management and customer analytics closely collaborate in a shared environment for the efficient provision of request & exception management, visibility & event monitoring, order fulfilment, transport management, freight settlement, business systems support as well as report and performance management.

Tobias Jerschke, Global Head of Kuehne + Nagel Integrated Logistics emphasised: “With the extension of the LCC in Raleigh our customers from the automotive, aerospace, consumer, high-tech, industrial and pharmaceutical sectors will further benefit from our best-in-class service. Our holistic supply chain visibility and control tools deliver solutions which are tailored to meet each client’s specific needs.”

In line with Kuehne + Nagel’s global end-to-end strategy presented at the Capital Markets Day in London in September 2013, the new LCC in Singapore will further strengthen its global network of integrated logistics control centres, which consists of seven locations across the globe. Within these, supply chain professionals with industry-specific expertise and local market knowledge are responsible for the development and management of end-to-end integrated logistics services across key markets. In the Asia Pacific region, focus countries are particularly Australia, China, India, Japan and Singapore. 

The market leading value proposition of Kuehne + Nagel’s integrated logistics offering is based on a comprehensive range of services that addresses the fulfillment of customers’ orders across international supply chains. Dedicated customer-related teams for contract management, continuous improvement, logistics partner management and customer analytics closely collaborate in a shared environment for the efficient provision of request & exception management, visibility & event monitoring, order management, transport management, freight settlement, business systems support as well as report and performance management.

“The new development underlines Kuehne + Nagel’s commitment to providing best-in-class end-to-end supply chain services around the globe and it marks an important milestone for us in Asia Pacific,” said Detlef Trefzger. “Leveraging on our new platform in Singapore, our customers can focus on their core competences while constantly improving their supply chain performance, reducing transaction costs and increasing efficiencies in today’s dynamic marketplace.”

Kuehne + Nagel’s Asia Pacific customer base in integrated logistics comprises globally leading companies especially from the FMCG, pharmaceutical & healthcare, high-tech and oil & gas industries. A typical range of services is provided to an FMCG customer, where Kuehne + Nagel manages all of its international sea- and airfreight movements for both raw and packaging materials into its extensive factory network in the region, and finished goods flows to all markets within the region.

On the global level, the Singapore logistics control centre is managing the worldwide logistics for a customer in the pharmaceutical & healthcare industry, together with Kuehne + Nagel’s logistics control centres in Raleigh/NC, USA and Luxembourg. Services provided include the management of sales orders from the customer’s factories in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, the coordination of last mile transportation and the installation of medical equipment in the hospitals.