Marc Rooms, Global Reefer Trainer, has quite an impressive travel log as his job takes him to Kuehne + Nagel offices around the world. The reefer specialist spent a large part of his career with carriers in the reefer business, until his aspirations shifted to teaching. “My previous jobs were more commercial, but in one of them I also supported the teams in expanding their reefer knowledge. So at some point I decided to take teacher trainings to prepare me for a career focused on educating others.” Since 2017, Marc has been sharing his expertise - often with a touch of humour - with colleagues and customers around the world.

It is this knowledge-sharing practice which, according to Marc, makes Kuehne + Nagel a reliable partner for seafood transportation. “The freshness and storage life of salmon and fish in general is determined by the temperature it is stored in. Our trained KN FreshChain professionals know this and can guide the customer. Most fish that is transported by sea logistics is frozen, and although the commonly agreed temperature for frozen goods is -18°C, fish is an outlier. It is better to go below -20°C. Essentially, the colder you go the longer the shelf life. Sushi grade salmon and tuna can even be shipped with superfreezers at –60°C. At that level virtually all bacteriological live stops so the fish remains as good as fresh.”

Talking on behalf of air logistics, Jon Bayliss – Head of Seafood Development Europe - adds that the majority of salmon transported by air is chilled rather than frozen. Here time is even more of the essence to maintain its freshness. According to him, our good relationships with carriers – in addition to our aforementioned expertise - also distinguish KN FreshChain’s offer. "I have been working with salmon in air logistics for over 20 years now, and I can tell you that the logistic of it is very complex. Our operational teams are trained to react promptly to any unexpected changes and can leverage our carrier networks to make sure that the fish reaches its destination fast.”

The UK-based salmon expert also highlights our own storage facilities, one of which he helped set up in 2007 when he joined Kuehne + Nagel. Jon: "I joined Kuehne + Nagel to start up the UK perishables business and the first thing we did was to start operating from a chilled warehouse so that we can maintain the chill chain for our customers for as long as possible. Being able to receive, screen and build aircraft pallets in a chilled environment at our own dedicated facilities really sets us apart. It gives us the capability to be fully in control and deliver high quality service and tailored solutions to our customers."

Over the years, the seafood business has grown immensely partly thanks to great customer loyalty and the convenient solutions that Kuehne + Nagel can offer. Jon: "We're very proud of our year-by-year growth and I am confident to say that we can handle even the most challenging shipments. One of the most satisfying things is to fill the hold of a passenger 777-ER flying from London Heathrow to New York with 11 air cargo containers of salmon, weighing 45 tonnes! So if you're looking for a dependable partner to ship your seafood, give us a call!"

"The value of pineapples in 15th century Europe reflected these difficulties well", says Robert Mant, Global Reefer Sales Manager at Kuehne + Nagel. "In that époque a single pineapple could fetch you a fortune and thus symbolised wealth. The reason? Their rarity in Europe due to a very short shelf life", he explains. While today we're much better equipped - with temperature-controlled containers and faster transportation modes - to move pineapples, the shortest possible transit time from farm to market remains key to retain their freshness. “Unlike bananas, pineapples won’t ripen anymore once harvested and after their prime time they degenerate quickly”, Robert explains. Both for sea and air freight, this presents our KN FreshChain specialists with a true race against the clock.

While unexpected hurdles such as strikes and weather conditions can complicate this race even more, Jeanne-Mari Van Rooyen, Global Perishables Development Manager for Airfreight, clarifies that the stakes are further raised because of the perishables business’ personal character. "The people you meet are the farmers who are really passionate about the product and who make a living out of it. This passion keeps you on your toes and gives you extra motivation to provide the best service. At the same time, admittedly, it presents an additional pressure to treat their perishables cargo with the highest care ever."

Expeditious operations, however, isn't everything. "There's more to shipping pineapples than a short transit time. You also have to understand what pineapples are sensitive to in order to get the packaging, temperature and every other aspect right", Jeanne-Mari explains. “We regularly organise visits on farms to see where, and more importantly how the pineapples and other fruits we transport grow. We walk to process from field to table so that we can piece together the best plan for transportation", she adds.

It is good to know, that our experts have this knowledge. But even more importantly, our perishables experts ensure that this wealth of information is also shared with our customers. The result? Peace of mind for the latter and a fruitful cooperation. Having spent several years on the customer-side of the fruit transportation business before coming to Kuehne + Nagel, Robert understands the value of partnerships over a mere transactional way of doing business: “At Kuehne + Nagel we interact with customers using our knowledge and operational excellence. You see, as a sales person I can promise anything. However, the moment we fail on that we put ourselves in jeopardy. Working closely with the customer as a partner, managing their expectations and being transparent is essential to maintain our reputation and to retain our customers.”

For Jeanne-Mari there is another important aspect: "We’re in a privileged position in that we have a large network of contacts in airports, harbours and beyond. This gives us access to information that the farmers - our customers - often lack. So what we want to do is open that door for them and consult them on how to prepare the product for transportation, explain what kind of markets they might want to get into, and which limitations certain carriers may have.” Partnerships such as these, Robert and Jeanne-Mari both concur, cultivate the best results. It might require going the extra mile, but the fruits of the labour can be picked later. "There are many examples of customers whose business growth made our business grow. It shows that this approach pays off for both parties."

So think again before topping your pizza with pineapple. Not about whether it belongs there, but about the passion, expertise and partnership that went into getting it there in the first place!

The selected topics showed a variety of interest areas including automation, gamification, knowledge sharing, and open source. The winning team presented a game that serves as an ice breaker, team building and gamified learning session – all at once. Joachim Albers, SVP Global IT Products, summarises: “At the KN Hackathon, colleagues from different departments and different countries come together to explore ideas and learn. I am impressed by their creativity, collaboration and commitment.”

“We are delighted to be working with Kuehne + Nagel. This is a company that has a global reach and can help us expand across the globe, offering a one-stop-shop for all our logistics needs. Their expansive e-commerce capability also provides a competitive advantage in the UK and Europe which will undoubtedly help with our growth plans”, says Neville Dobson, Head of Logistics for Huel.

In the last years, Kuehne + Nagel has been expanding its e-commerce services all over the globe. With KN OmniChain, Kuehne + Nagel combines the global scale of leading logistics organisation with the flexibility required in e-commerce, offering e-fulfilment solutions, last-mile deliveries and returns, cross-border as well as digital services.

“I started working at Kuehne + Nagel in August 2009 as a Packer. I had to stack all goods that had been picked by our Pickers on pallets. To be honest, at the time I didn’t think I could keep doing this job for a long time.” But after one week Hannah’s mood had lifted and she started to really enjoy her job. “After just a couple of days I became really happy in my workplace and I had great colleagues to work with”, she says with a broad smile. “It was only a few years later, when I was pregnant for several months, that I mentioned that I would like a job at the Quality department.”

Heavily pregnant, Hannah traded her physically intense job for a less strenuous challenge in the Quality department where she could work in the day shift and was able to sit down a bit more. “It was a great feeling that my team leader and colleagues took care of me and the health of my baby. I no longer had to be on my feet the entire day. In this new job, I was responsible for checking the quality of the packing and the way pallets were stacked”, she explains. Also after her maternity leave Hannah continued her new role in the Quality department, where she happily worked until 2013.

That’s when she reached a moment in her career when she felt it was time for a change. “A colleague mentioned that there was an open vacancy as Publishing Editor to write instructions and make instruction videos for our warehouse colleagues. I felt that it was time for me to take my career in a new direction so I indicated this to my manager and applied for the position. It was a completely different role in comparison with my former ones, but I was very excited to learn new things. In my first months I had to translate over 200 instructions from English to Dutch!”

Until today Hannah is thriving in her role as Publishing Editor. But even more intriguing than her career path, is the reason why in her ten years at Kuehne + Nagel she never considered changing employers. “The fact that I have great colleagues is one of the reasons why I love working for Kuehne + Nagel. Apart from that, the office is also very close to my home which is a nice benefit! But the most important reason is definitely all the development opportunities the company has given me so far! Kuehne + Nagel really invests in its employees, whether via trainings or teambuilding activities, and it is great to feel valued like that!”

Would you also like to work for an employer that values its employees? Check our Career Portal on https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

“Integrated Logistics fascinates me because of the complexity of the services", she explains. "You need to fit all the different pieces of the supply chain puzzle into one working machinery, from managing the warehousing activities to the freight forwarding of goods – all while harmonising each of the different parties and people involved. The way all of these elements come together into a supply chain solution that meets or even exceeds the customer's expectation is what I like so much", Agnieszka concludes.

So when the chance arose for Agnieszka to get an all-round experience within the different teams of Kuehne + Nagel Luxembourg's Integrated Logistics unit, she didn't have to think twice. “I signed up as a candidate for the KN BuILdUp traineeship in Kuehne + Nagel Luxembourg because it is very interesting for self-development. Thanks to the rotation system that allows you to discover different teams you not only gain operational knowledge, but you can also develop your skills in Business Management, Process Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Project Management", she explains. "And as for the international part, I've done several internships abroad as a student so I'm used to living elsewhere and I also saw moving to Luxembourg as a chance to improve my French and English."

Despite being far from home, Agnieszka is well integrated in our Luxembourg office. "I just finished my rotation in Project Management which I liked a lot. Again it's almost like putting puzzle pieces together since you have to coordinate people and time lines to make it all work. My next stop is Continuous Improvement which I'm also quite excited for." As she is gathering new insights into the department, Agnieszka in turn can share her own best practices from the Polish counterpart. “I’m happy that I can use my knowhow and experience from Poland in another Integrated Logistics office. This is what we have to do: share knowledge between projects and people. If you don’t keep it for yourself, we as a company will improve faster.”

Are you also fascinated by logistics? Check our vacancies in the career portal on https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

A worldwide presence was one of the prerequisites in Bernard’s search for a new employer. Opportunities for growth and development were another. The role of Business Controller in Kuehne + Nagel BeLux offered both. “In this role I’m both a financial guard dog of our contract logistics site as well as a business partner of the site manager. Critically analysing processes and decisions on a financial level is key in making our site thrive and my experience as a financial analyst helped a great deal in that”, Bernard clarifies.

As part of the Management Team, he also has a front-row seat overlooking the developments of contract logistics, ranging from improvement projects to facility-related decisions. According to Bernard, “the challenge in this position is striking the right balance between critically questioning each decision that has a financial impact – which is the case for almost everything – and at the same time supporting the site management in their visions.” But despite this difficult task, the talented Business Controller takes great satisfaction in standing close to the business as an adviser from a financial perspective.

Nowadays, Bernard is a familiar face in most of the local offices. “Although my usual office is in Geel, I try to work from Antwerp at least once per month to see my colleagues from the Finance department. And all Business Controllers from the different contract logistics sites gather every two months in a different site to share experiences, which I think is great”, he says. His open-mindedness and entrepreneurial spirit make him a great fit for Kuehne + Nagel BeLux, and in the future perhaps also for a Kuehne + Nagel office abroad!

Would you also like to work in a company that supports your ambitions? Check our career portal on https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

In August 2010, Stefaan handed in the keys of the warehouse in which he had spent his first 10 years at Kuehne + Nagel. “Our operations and warehouse activities moved to a bigger location to accommodate the company’s growth and to make room for business expansion and new customers”, Stefaan clarifies. A new chapter for the organisation, which also marked the beginning of a new challenge for Stefaan as Operations Manager in a brand new Kuehne + Nagel warehouse.

Over the years, the customer portfolio grew and along with it Stefaan’s responsibilities. “A very exciting time in my career was when we implemented a new big customer which is a well-known player in the toy industry”, he recalls. “Since I was responsible for the operational implementation for this project, my team and I set up all the warehouse processes for this new business. I’m proud to say that today the operations for this customer are still part of my job alongside several other new customers for which my team and I manage the warehouse activities!”

Managing warehouse operations is also managing people. For Stefaan, the days that he hasn’t had the chance to make his usual tour around the warehouse, is a day that he goes home unfulfilled. “It is my job to spend sufficient time in the warehouse to be available for my team. An observation I’ve made over the past 19 years is that our strength largely lies in our motivated people, whose passion for their jobs results in sustainable and strong customer relationships. And that is our Kuehne + Nagel mission.”

Would you also like to work for a company that values both its people and its customers? Check our career portal on https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Yelena Gangalo, Advisor to the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on nature protection, environmental and transport issues, states: “Kuehne + Nagel’s reliable and fast shipments are of great help to us in supplying our critical technical equipment to the place of action on time. It’s logistics experts are always ready to react proactively to our sometimes rather urgent transportation demands.”

The efforts to preserve the Far Eastern wild cat are already bearing fruit: The leopard population has started to grow, and its geographical distribution has expanded, spreading from Russia into China. Extermination is stopped, but the population must reach at least 150 before the species can be considered safe.

Perry Neumann, President Cluster Russia + CIS and General Director of Kuehne + Nagel LLC, comments: “We are very pleased to support this great initiative for the preservation of the Amur leopard. If our logistics services can help to achieve this honourable goal, Kuehne + Nagel and its employees are more than happy to contribute.”

A management traineeship allows one to discover different aspects and positions in the world of logistics. Brecht’s traineeship began in the warehouse where he contributed to a customer transition and integration project. Today, he leads his own "yellow belt" project with the goal of optimising the stock management for one of our customers. “The advantage of being a trainee is that you get to try different things to make an informed decision about your next career steps. Now the role of operations manager sounds very attractive to me, but I still have to start the third part of my traineeship in which I’ll be introduced into the engineering department of our company, which is more focused on data analysis.”

While a management traineeship can be quite a handful for the young professionals they’re targeted at, mentors ensure that the trainees are supported. “I think it’s great to have a mentor with many years of experience whom I can ask questions and who stimulates us to grow and develop”, Brecht says. “Many people in the office, up until the national management, are also always more than happy to help out if needed.” And trainees are also encouraged to take trainings for self-development. “I was given the opportunity to follow a leadership training together with others in the company that has been really interesting. The fact that you’re encouraged to grow is much appreciated!”

Would you also like to work for a company that values its people’s development? Check our career portal on https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

She explains: “For two years I led the operations in one of our warehouses. During that time, I’ve had the chance to implement a lot of changes with a large degree of freedom. It allowed me to learn a lot, from getting to the bottom of the warehouse processes to leading a team.”

But after two years, Anneleen felt like it was time for a change. “I wasn’t sure what kind of change I wanted. Taking on a different customer crossed my mind. But then the vacancy of Project Assistant opened, and suddenly it was clear to me that that’s what I wanted to do next”, she says. Although she sometimes misses the fast-paced hustle and bustle of the warehouse environment, Anneleen confirms that she’s very happy with this career step. “I’m very happy where I am today but I still try to visit the warehouse at least once per week”, she adds.

As Project Assistant, she now has a full overview of contract logistics in Belgium and Luxembourg. “We’re growing a lot, and my role is to see how we can further improve our project implementations on all contract logistics sites in BeLux”, she explains. Thanks to the large variety of projects she deals with, from customer implementations, to customer engagement projects, footprints and CTI - to name a few - every day brings a new and interesting challenge.

For Anneleen, the development chances that she received over the past few years have been a big motivator. “Kuehne + Nagel is a company where you get a lot of opportunities if you’re open for it and take initiative”, she says. “There are plenty of trainings or even temporary projects to grow! And Kuehne + Nagel is also one big and connected global team. Everyone works together to reach the same goal.”

Would you like to join our team? Then check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Since 2005, Rainer Zietlow supports the international organization “SOS Children`s Villages” with his projects. This time, for each driven kilometer during this world record, he will donate 15 Euro Cents for a SOS Children’s Village in Goioere, Brazil.

Rainer Zietlow commented: “Once more, Kuehne + Nagel assisted us on the logistics operation for the challenge, through a service of excellence and global and local expertise. It is a reliable and competent partner that helps making this expedition possible.”

Good luck, Rainer and team!

As the weight on his shoulders increased, and Laurens felt like he couldn’t bear it much longer, he found a new opportunity at Kuehne + Nagel. Although he applied for a role with fewer responsibilities, it wasn’t long until Laurens was encouraged to take the next career step. “Coincidentally a training for new foremen started around the same time as I did, and they offered me to join to get to know the company, the people and the way of working”, he explains.

In the training, which prepares natural leaders for the position of foreman, Laurens realised how much more pleasant working can be with the right framework in place. “The available tools at Kuehne + Nagel alleviate the daily challenges. Things like the 5S audits, belt projects, and even the meetings with supervisors and foremen make working a lot more enjoyable. People are also always ready to help out when they can.”

Today, you can find Laurens in our warehouse as supervisor where he steers a team of more than 30 people. As a people manager, he aims to convey these values of mutual support to his colleagues because “you’re only just as strong as your team!” Equally important as a supportive work environment, is one that recognises and invests in talent. “One of the reasons I joined Kuehne + Nagel are the development opportunities. The foreman training is a good illustration of that, but there are many more ways to develop your skills here”, Laurens exclaims.

Do you want to discover your development opportunities? Then check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

His task was to provide support on incidents related to the contract logistics core Warehouse Management System (WMS) and surrounding systems on a global level. “The company is investing a lot into people’s professional development, so I was also involved in several interesting projects”, he adds. “The first big one was for Kuehne + Nagel Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. I travelled three times to this oasis in the middle of desert to help with a new customer implementation, providing support in analysing the customer’s requirements, designing systems solutions and eventually implementing those solutions during the go-live.”

At Kuehne + Nagel UAE, Sergey’s proficiency in the use of the internal software and the seemingly effortless way in which he tweaked all configurations was quickly noticed. A job offer was the result of these efforts, and Sergey and his wife became part of the large expat community in the extravagant desert city. “Over 80% of Dubai’s population are expats”, Sergey explains. “And it took me about a month to arrange the paperwork for my wife to join me. I clearly remember the day she arrived because her plane was supposed to land at 3 pm on December 31, but it had a delay of 5 hours. I was tracking it online and suddenly it even disappeared from the radar. Thankfully the plane landed safely and we celebrated New Year’s together.”

Besides an interesting cultural experience, Dubai also offered Sergey several fascinating projects which allowed him to develop professionally and build his Kuehne + Nagel network. “One project was a customer implementation for both UAE and Belgium”, he says. “That’s how I met one of my Belgian colleagues and when I decided to move back to Europe I reached out to her for opportunities in Belgium.” Thanks to Sergey’s proven track record in Dubai and Kyiv, the IT Director in Kuehne + Nagel Belgium was more than happy to see his CV appearing on his desk and not much later a one-way ticket to Belgium was booked.

For Sergey’s wife, the move was a welcome change. “Moving abroad is always somewhat difficult in the beginning, but also very exciting”, she explains. “And in Belgium the weather is much better than in Ukraine and UAE. Less extremes in temperatures!”  Not only the climate convinced the couple that Belgium was a good decision, but also the prospect of new professional challenges: “Extremely complex business processes and market growth means that we need to invest in innovations like pick by voice, automated conveyors, advanced software and hardware to increase our warehouse productivity and keep on delivering top notch quality services. I get energy from developing myself in new areas to work with the cutting edge of 21st century technologies.”

Would you also like to work in an international company with the latest technologies? Then check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

For Najib, the biggest change in comparison with his former jobs has been the deeply embedded KNPS or continuous improvement mindset within Kuehne + Nagel. “I quickly learned how important KNPS and the 5S method are within the Kuehne + Nagel contract logistics environment. Every week a specific area in the warehouse is evaluated to verify whether everything is in its place and meets the requirements of the methodology”, he explains. “And in the broader sense of KNPS I regularly remind my team members of the shared responsibility to think about continuous improvement.”

Despite all the structure and pre-described processes, Najib describes the Kuehne + Nagel work environment as one with a large degree of freedom. “I do like the fact that almost everything has a specific procedure because it makes everything very clear, controlled and efficient. But when it comes to how I approach my job as a supervisor, I have to a large extent the liberty to develop my own way of working which I appreciate a lot”, he says.

Would you also like to work in an environment characterised by continous improvement? Then check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

“With this important investment, Kuehne + Nagel confirms its choice for BruCargo and Brussels Airport as a key strategic location for its airfreight activities”, declares Kuehne + Nagel Belgium’s Airfreight Manager Lennert Bosman, adding that “the new facility will handle a diversity of commodities, with a strong focus on pharma & healthcare shipments thanks to 6,500 m² of temperature-controlled area in full compliance with GDP standards and KN PharmaChain certified.”

In addition to a modern office and warehouse environment, the TAPA-compliant building will have direct access to the tarmac and will be equipped with an ULD build-up and receiving capabilities.

At Kuehne + Nagel, Sabrina initially planned the overland transportation activities for the Austria and Switzerland business. Then she moved to the "Italy team", where her team leader quickly noticed her people skills and prepared her to become his successor upon his retirement. “I was happy with the new challenge that I was offered as Team Leader”, she recalls. “In this department our main priority is to keep the customer satisfied, which in the transportation sector can be stressful at times. Thanks to my own experience as a planner I could always easily place myself in the shoes of my team members resulting in a better understanding for the challenges they encounter.”

Step by step her responsibilities and her team continued to grow, first by taking responsibility over the bigger Eastern Europe team, and finally by accepting her current challenge as Manager Planning. “In this role I’m leading a team of 60 people. There can be quite a big workload, but luckily I can always count on my team. I believe that in return for their efforts it’s my responsibility as a manager to give them tools to make their lives easier, by striving to simplifying processes, improving our IT tools and by developing them. Especially the latter is important to me, since I also got the chance to develop myself. Development opportunities are motivating and the road to success both individually as collectively.”

Would you also like to work in a company with development opportunities? Then check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Bundesminister Andreas Scheuer: „Die Logistik ist eine Schlüsselbranche mit superspannenden Jobs. Ihre Arbeit hält die Wirtschaft am Laufen – und hat unser Land zum Logistikweltmeister gemacht. Das zeigt sich auch am Firmenstandort Hafen Straubing-Sand: Hier haben sich viele mittelständische Unternehmen mit großen Namen angesiedelt. Das beweist: Hier stimmen die Bedingungen. Das soll auch in Zukunft so bleiben: Mit dem Innovationsprogramm Logistik 2030 wollen wir eine moderne, vernetzte und digitale Logistik weiter fördern.“

Die neue Speditionsniederlassung von Kühne + Nagel, einem der weltweit führenden Logistikdienstleister, ist ein modernes Leistungszentrum für Luft- und Seefracht sowie Landverkehr. Auf dem mehr als 54.000 Quadratmeter großen Areal stehen unter anderem eine Umschlaghalle mit rund 12.000 Quadratmetern Fläche und 115 Toren sowie ein Bürogebäude. „Von diesem Komplex aus versenden wir jedes Jahr weltweit auf dem Landweg mehr als 850.000 Aufträge mit 450.000 Tonnen Fracht, auf dem Luftweg rund 11.500 Aufträge und rund 12.500 Container per Schiff. Wir stärken mit dieser Niederlassung unseren Fußabdruck in einer der wachstumsstärksten Regionen Europas“, sagte Nicholas Minde, Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung von Kühne + Nagel Deutschland.

Die Straubinger Speditionsniederlassung von Kühne + Nagel besteht seit 1989. Am bisherigen Standort wurde es für das stetig wachsende Unternehmen und die rund 250 Mitarbeiter zu eng. Bereits Ende Dezember 2018 erfolgte daher der Umzug vom alten Standort am Sachsenring in die neue Anlage. „Mit dem Neubau bekennen wir uns zum Standort Straubing mit seiner guten Infrastruktur und Anbindung an alle regionalen und internationalen Verkehrswege“, sagte Henning Mack, Regionalleiter Bayern von Kühne + Nagel.

Die Stadt Straubing und der Landkreis Straubing-Bogen sind laut Oberbürgermeister Markus Pannermayr und Landrat Josef Laumer bemüht und bestrebt gewesen, Kühne + Nagel vor Ort zu halten. „Wir sind froh, dass dies gelungen ist. Denn davon profitiert die gesamte Region. Kühne + Nagel ist ein Global Player, der lokal denkt, in der Region tief verwurzelt ist und den lokalen Ansatz nie verloren hat.“ Pannermayr fügte hinzu: „Wir freuen uns, dass wir nun auch die Spedition dieses herausragenden Unternehmens aus dem Logistikbereich für unseren Hafen Straubing-Sand gewinnen konnten.“

The new Sustainability Report covers Kuehne + Nagel's environmental, social and economic performance in 2018 complying with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). It also gives insights how the company is engaging with the global UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. Consistent with our commitment to taking action on the environment, this report is available online only:

The donation supports the vital musical activities in Mozambique: second-hand musical instruments find new life in a country where musical life is experiencing great momentum, with educational activities and newly-founded choruses and orchestras. Further, the project aims to expand the employment opportunities for locals, progressively diversifying the interventions at the center of the country and equipping the technicians, trained with the support of Music Fund and Milano Musica, with the necessary means to continue their activity independently and to develop further the professional skills acquired.

Click here to for more information on the project (in Italian).

But there can be a world of difference between theory and practice, and Guillaume wanted to explore the daily workings of a leading logistics company. His aim? Taking a leap out of his comfort zone to discover his professional side. “In my daily life I noticed some things that I wanted to change about myself”, Guillaume explains. “Becoming more assertive was an important one.” At Kuehne + Nagel, Guillaume discussed this topic with his supervisor who ensures to give Guillaume plenty of autonomy in his research project so that he gets used to addressing the management with his questions and ideas.

Besides stepping out of his comfort zone, Guillaume also dived into the workings of the company – both on a strategical and operational level. “My research centers around redesigning processes in alignment with the company strategy”, he explains. “This means that I’m sitting together with a lot of people from different departments, and even with customers, to ask what they think works well or what potentially could be improved. Then I’ll use that input to suggest ways in which processes could be redesigned to be more efficient.”

For Guillaume, it has been an enlightening experience bringing him one step closer to successful career in logistics. Positively surprised by the company’s flexible work regulations and the friendly atmosphere in the office, he feels great at Kuehne + Nagel BeLux. And most importantly, Guillaume will finish his internship knowing that he has made a difference, exclaiming that “I think it’s a great internship because I can hopefully contribute to the future and help innovate, and I can also build a great network of leading logistics experts.”

Would you also like to work in a leading logistics company? Then check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Dusanka blossomed in the HR department, where she eventually accepted the role of Team Leader for the BeLux recruitment team. She not only gained a lot of experience in leading a team, but also launched several innovative ideas to improve the recruitment and sourcing practices developing into a true Talent Acquisition Specialist. The HR department in Belgium noticed her potential, and in December 2017 Dusanka left Serbia and was warmly greeted by her colleagues in Antwerp.

“So far, it has been a great learning experience”, Dusanka exclaims, adding that “I truly enjoy working with my team here in Antwerp. I am still challenged on a daily basis, and the learning never stops! Being based in Belgium, where I’m surrounded by colleagues from the departments I recruit for, also enables me to grasp the complexity of their recruitment needs much better.”

When asked whether Dusanka has more international plans for the future, she clarifies: “As said, there are still plenty of challenges to learn in my current role so I don’t have any plans to switch jobs or location. But beyond that, I am open to whatever might come my way as long as it’s fun, exciting and gives me the opportunity to develop myself further!”

Would you also like to work in an international company with a lot of possibilities? Check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Proud to be part of the visit, at Kuehne + Nagel, Lothar Harings (CHRO), Stefan Paul (Member of the Management Board, responsible for Overland), Amit Sethi (SVP Overland), and Christian Berthold (Managing Director of the Kühne Foundation), met with the students to discuss about challenges, transformation and the future of logistics. The students, being well informed about Kuehne + Nagel and the logistics sector, quickly engaged in lively discussions and appreciated the open dialogue and exchange with the company's management.

IIFT is a government institution mainly responsible for foreign trade. The IIFT students attending this study week in Zurich are enrolled in an Executive Post Graduate Diploma in International Management. The students were accompanied by Dr. Sonya Sharma and Dr. Anup Nastik, both Program Directors and Lecturers at the Swiss Indian Business School in Zurich.

The logistics sector suffers from a hard-to-shake-off image of being boring. Nothing is more wrong! According to Jennifer, “logistics is the driving force behind the world economy. In my opinion, that’s pretty cool. I think the problem is that not many people know what logistics really entails and are unaware of the large variety of jobs and opportunities there are.”

For her apprenticeship, Jennifer attends school two days per week. The rest of the time is spent in the office. She deliberately chose Kuehne + Nagel as the location of her apprenticeship for several reasons. “Kuehne + Nagel is a global player with a good reputation and many opportunities, and it’s also nice to be able to see several departments as an apprentice and to work in international teams.”

In June, Jennifer will graduate from her apprenticeship. She will be among the first Luxembourgish apprentices to complete the training. “Before I started there was no option to complete an apprenticeship in the office, only in the warehouse”, she explains. “So I will be one of the first apprentices to ‘graduate’.” What she will do afterwards? “I already know that I can stay in the company, and I will probably stay in Overland. But within Kuehne + Nagel you can always change departments if you wish so!”

Would you also like to work in an international company with a lot of possibilities? Check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Bremen / DE, 16. April 2019 – In Anwesenheit des Bürgermeisters der Freien Hansestadt Bremen, Dr. Carsten Sieling, und des Mehrheitsgesellschafters der Kühne + Nagel-Gruppe, Klaus-Michael Kühne, wurde heute das Richtfest für das neue August-Kühne-Haus in Bremen gefeiert. Etwa eineinhalb Jahre nach der Grundsteinlegung ist damit der Rohbau abgeschlossen.

Der Neubau deckt den durch das anhaltende Wachstum in allen Geschäftsbereichen entstehenden zusätzlichen Flächenbedarf des Unternehmens in Bremen ab. Hier werden attraktive Arbeitsplätze für ca. 725 Mitarbeiter entstehen. Zudem wird die Geschäftsleitung der deutschen Kühne + Nagel-Organisation zukünftig ihren Sitz im August-Kühne-Haus haben.

Die Fertigstellung des Hauses ist für Ende des Jahres geplant. Es befindet sich an der gleichen Stelle, an der das im Jahr 1909 von August Kühne erworbene von Kapffsche Haus stand, das im Zweiten Weltkrieg vollständig zerstört wurde. Das im Jahr 1960 am gleichen Ort errichtete erste August-Kühne-Haus musste vor rund zwei Jahren dem Neubau weichen.

Das neue Gebäude verfügt über eine Bruttogeschossfläche von ca.13.500 m². Sein 44 Meter hoher Turm markiert den Eingang zur Bremer Innenstadt.

Klaus Michael Kühne: „Die Errichtung des neuen August-Kühne-Hauses ist ein bedeutendes Ereignis in der 129-jährigen Geschichte von Kühne + Nagel in Bremen. Mit der Fertigstellung des Rohbaus wurde nun ein wichtiges Etappenziel erreicht und ich danke allen am Bau Beteiligten für ihre sehr gute Arbeit. Dieser Standort hat für uns eine historische Bedeutung, denn bereits vor 110 Jahren befand sich das Stammhaus der 1890 von meinem Grossvater August Kühne und seinem Partner Friedrich Nagel gegründeten Seehafenspedition an der Weser.“

Bremens Bürgermeister Dr. Carsten Sieling: „Ich freue mich sehr über das heutige Richtfest für das neue Stammhaus von Kühne + Nagel. Dass das Unternehmen seinen Standort hier weiter ausbaut und die Deutschlandzentrale von Kühne + Nagel nun ihren Sitz in Bremen haben wird, sichert viele Arbeitsplätze und ist ein klares Bekenntnis für unsere Stadt. Die Entscheidung, hier einen wesentlichen Teil des Geschäfts zu konzentrieren, stärkt zudem den Logistikstandort Bremen und Bremerhaven. Darüber hinaus setzt der Neubau an der Weser auch einen zusätzlichen positiven Impuls für die Entwicklung unserer Innenstadt.“

„Für die deutsche Kühne + Nagel-Organisation spielt der zukünftige Standort eine sehr bedeutende Rolle, denn hier befindet sich u.a. das Zentrum weltweiter Seefrachtaktivitäten – der wichtigsten Geschäftssparte des Unternehmens. Ich freue mich daher besonders, dass die deutsche Geschäftsleitung die Geschicke zukünftig aus dem August-Kühne-Haus heraus lenken wird. Alle Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter werden beste Arbeitsbedingungen vorfinden“, sagte Holger Ketz, Vorsitzender der Geschäftsleitung von Kühne + Nagel Deutschland.

As Marketing Assistant, Julie learned a lot about Kuehne + Nagel’s business and customers, but a certain distance with operations made it hard to grasp the workings of the operational departments. That changed during her time as Excellence Manager. “In that position I had to work closer together with operations and I also followed trainings to broaden my knowledge of freight forwarding”, she clarifies.

But Julie admits that she’s still learning more every day, especially when she took on another new role as Project & Implementation Lead. Within that position, her responsibilities focus on steering the implementation of new customers in our systems and operational processes. A role in which she serves as a bridge between the customer and operations. She explains how she goes about her business: “I always start with a kick-off meeting with the customer to understand their ways of working, and then we keep in touch on a weekly basis throughout the implementation phase. This usually takes a couple of months. In that time, I convey the customer’s wishes to my colleagues from operations until they’re all set and don’t need me anymore.”

For Julie, there are two amazing perks to her role. “I love the fact that I can get to the bottom of a customer’s business for several months, and then move on to the next customer”, she says, “But the best part is the contact with the operational colleagues.” And besides customer implementations on a national level, Julie sometimes even gets to manage regional customer implementations. “I’m currently working on the European implementation of an Israeli customer. The challenge lies in getting all countries aligned but it’s also a great experience to be connected with all these colleagues all over the world”, Julie adds.

Would you also like to work in a dynamic environment which offers continoues development opportunities? Check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

In South Africa, the hub for Pan African trade, Kuehne + Nagel is represented with 5 locations and over 400 employees. Together with the achievement of the level 1 B-BBEE compliance the company demonstrates its full commitment towards further development of both the country and the people of South Africa.

“I attribute this success to a brilliant team of dedicated colleagues but also our customers and business partners whom have been relying on our services and solutions, and willing to form a trust based corporation for now more than 65 years,” commented Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO of the Kuehne + Nagel Group, the celebrations last night in Johannesburg.

From humble beginnings, strong partnerships, a defined strategy, and the continuous expansion of projects such as the new Skycentre further enables South Africa to reach new heights as an integrated logistics provider driving innovative products and solutions.

“I am immensely proud to lead a team of dedicated people and I look forward to our future of endless potential in Africa, as we continue to create value for all our customers," said Marcus Balzereit, Managing Director of Kuehne + Nagel Southern Africa, during the event which hosted customers, business partners and employees to honor the anniversary.

In one improvement project, as a simple example, Frederick and his team investigated the benefits of implementing an automated conveyor belt with working platforms to make a process for one customer’s products more efficient. “Before our warehouse workers constantly spent time walking around from one station to another, now they can just stay where they are and be more productive in the same amount of time”, he explains. But his is just the tip of the iceberg of all types of interesting improvement projects tackled by our KNPS team.

Right after our chat, Frederick has to travel to another Kuehne + Nagel site to sit together with other colleagues for a project centered focused on quality. A lot of time is being spent on pick bin checks for one of our customers in the Healthcare business. “Too much time”, Frederick adds. “And I’m sure that is not necessary. So our goal is to reduce the time spent doing pick bin checks without giving up our high quality standards. We’ll sit together with the customer to align and to find a solution that pleases both parties.”

Despite Kuehne + Nagel’s outspoken culture of continuous improvement, many of these projects are executed behind the scenes. Yet their impact is of immense value to our business and that of our customers. Another motivator for Frederick, who so far has completed four projects. “But I only started my job in May 2018”, he clarifies, “and I’m already looking forward to the projects that will come my way in the future!”

Would you also like to work for Kuehne + Nagel? Check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

And in order to meet the customer’s requirements, part of Gertjan’s task is also to align with them on a frequent basis. “Today I have my monthly customer meeting”, he says, stressing that these meetings are essential to determine the right course of action for the following weeks and months. “Forecasting and budgeting are also important aspects of this role. If the customer expects high volumes, we need to ensure to have enough capacity to handle that.”

Added to that, Operations Managers also constantly have to think of ways to make existing processes more efficient. Thankfully, Gertjan can always count on his team for support. “The supervisors reporting to me are yellow belts who lead their own continuous improvement projects. My team and I do the largest part of the productivity projects by ourselves, but we can always ask coaching from the KNPS team when needed”, he clarifies.

Despite all his responsibilities, it’s impossible for Gertjan to see himself in any other position. “I was a Solutions Engineer for a while, but I missed the people and the warehouse so it didn’t take long before I decided to go back to the ‘floor’.” And also culture-wise Gertjan feels like he’s in the right place at Kuehne + Nagel, saying that “you’re always listened to. You can be open and say what’s on your mind and get support from the management. I value that immensely.”

Would you also like to work in a company where you can speak your mind? Check our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Despite Frank’s near-perfect English and his in-depth knowledge of the warehouse processes – skills that are very useful in our offices – Frank politely refused a ‘desk job’ when he was offered one. “I helped out in the office for a while and they can count on me whenever they need me”, he explains, “but I still prefer working with my hands in the warehouse.”

Although Frank is in his element in his familiar warehouse, he doesn’t shy away from a temporary change of environment. Even if that environment is all the way across the ocean in Memphis, Tennessee. His quest? Sharing best practices with North American Kuehne + Nagel colleagues for one of our common customers.

“Several colleagues and I stayed in Memphis for three weeks. It was the first time I travelled for work. I think that, whether you go to the US, or Canada or wherever, you can learn a lot from travelling and seeing how others work. It was a good experience, and in the end we saw that our presence and knowledge-sharing made a difference.”

Few things are more rewarding than seeing your efforts take effect, benefitting both colleagues and the customer.

Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Immersed in the transportation sector, you gain a lot of general business knowledge. That is especially the case for our Integrated Logistics (4PL) department where Julia currently reinforces the team for one of our customers. “I enjoy working in Integrated Logistics because you can focus on one customer and get a deep understanding of that customer’s business.”

Nonetheless, Julia also enjoyed her time in Seafreight where she worked for half a year thanks to the rotation system that allows apprentices to change departments every 6 months. “What’s great in Seafreight is that you cooperate a lot with colleagues from all over the world, from Brazil to China”, Julia explains. Intrigued by the international character of Kuehne + Nagel’s business, Julia even leaves open the possibility of moving abroad should the opportunity ever arise.

Our fast-paced environment keeps our young apprentice busy, but in a good way. “It can be a bit stressful at times”, she admits, “but at least the time flies!” So if you’re young, hands-on and ambitious, take some advice from Julia: “Kuehne + Nagel is a great place to end up when you’re young and eager to grow. Apprentices get many development opportunities and are supported in that with extra trainings!”

Would you also like to join an international company that develops its people? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

You might know them by their acronym, P&G, or by any one of the products you likely use to clean your home, office, or even your child – from Pampers, to Bounty, to Tide, Dawn, Crest, and many more. Procter & Gamble creates products to clean bodies, clean counters, clean teeth and even babies’ bottoms – and…for the past 15 years, they’ve been cleaning dirty water.

It began twenty years ago, when one of P&G’s brilliant scientists followed a leap of faith assumption–that he and his team could create a product capable of cleaning water, so women in water-stressed regions could save time and resources recycling the water they use to wash their family’s clothes. After some trial and error, these laundry scientists discovered a way to clean that water using a simple powder technology. But solving that one problem wasn’t enough, because Procter & Gamble believed that if wash water could be removed of its filth and grime, then undoubtedly water could be made clean and pure enough to drink.

The solution arrived in the form of a small envelope that could fit in the smallest of pant or dress pockets – a portable packet that held promise. A life-changing product derived from the powerful combination of science and compassion, to address one of world’s most pressing problems.

Since 2004, the P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program has provided 15 billion liters of clean water through a thirty-minute process of pour, stir, settle and filter. 15 billion liters that have altered the lives of millions. Lives forever changed because of a powder technology that packs the power of a water treatment plant into a 4-gram packet.

The P&G production facility that makes these life-changing P&G Purifier of Water packets is in Singapore, and they work with more than 150 partners around the world to get them to families and children who are in need.

“To see children drink clean water instead of the dirty water that makes them sick and have to miss school touches your heart. And it’s a community of folks that make those moments happen. From our NGO partners on the ground, to our innovators and scientists, to our logistics partners like Kuehne + Nagel, this program transforms the lives of millions of people.”- Julie deSylva, P&G Senior Communications Manager

Here at Kuehne + Nagel, the partnership with P&G is one we deeply appreciate, because it shows the best of business in action, and the power of partnership born from shared values and complementary skills. To learn more about the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, visit www.csdw.org.

“There are so many people around this planet that struggle with the basic necessities that we take for granted. To know there are organizations out there that strive to make this planet a little better is encouraging, but to be a part of it is extraordinarily special.” – Jen Griffin, Kuehne + Nagel Seafreight and Emergency Relief Expert

Two years later Damien and his girlfriend decided to move back to Europe. Conveniently, his relocation to Belgium was again arranged in a breeze. “It is great to be able to do pretty much the same job here as in Montréal, dealing with intermodal transportation”, Damien explains. “The only real difference is the size of the country and the scope of operations.”

Damien’s move to Antwerp went smoothly, as the uniformity of IT tools and software makes transitioning between Kuehne + Nagel offices a piece of cake. “The most challenging part of the move was the fact that people speak Dutch here”, Damien adds. “That’s why I’m following Dutch classes via the company.”

Damien is glad to have had this international experience, which has been an added value professionally as well as personally. “It is interesting to see how alike Kuehne + Nagel sites all over the world are. Not just in their ways of working, but also in terms of the work environment. The multicultural aspect of Kuehne + Nagel remains very outspoken which I appreciate a lot.”

Are you, like Damien, fascinated by logistics? Perhaps you also aspire an international career? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

During our young communications expert’s search for an in interesting internship, a friend who works at Kuehne + Nagel suggested to enquire about an internship there. “I had never heard of Kuehne + Nagel before, but after some research I was quite impressed by the company’s size and global activities. So I took a shot and sent my CV. Before I knew it, my internship at Kuehne + Nagel had been arranged.”

From day one, Larissa has been involved in several communications and Employer Branding projects of Kuehne + Nagel’s communication team. “I immediately felt welcome and I have never been treated as ‘the intern’, but as a real employee”, Larissa adds. “I can assure you that the pillars of the company’s Employer Brand, like developing people, are true to their word. And I’m not just saying that because it’s part of the job!”, Larissa adds with a wink.

Her involvement in our Employer Branding campaigns, also opened up a whole new world for Larissa. When she started her internship, she didn’t quite know what this concept meant. “I knew the concept of Personal Branding, but I had never heard of Employer Branding. So for me it was quite interesting to find out how Employer Branding works behind the scenes. I know notice how ubiquitous Employer Branding is!”

Despite her short stay of only 6 weeks, Larissa managed to pick up a lot and had a great time. “The 6 weeks flew by way too fast. Another proof that I had an amazing time at Kuehne + Nagel!”.

Are you also interested in an exciting opportunity in an international environment? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Always looking for new challenges, an interesting position in Kuehne + Nagel Luxembourg caught his attention. He applied and not much later packed his bags to move with his wife to the small European country. New environment, new job, but… same customer! For nine years now, Krzysztof has been working with the same customer — most recently as Logistics Partner Manager.

He clarifies: “As Logistics Partner Manager I run the European network for my customer, ensuring that there are carriers available to transport the customer’s goods. I procure the carriers and I implement them together with operations.” The mutual trust Krzysztof and his customer built after all these years, allows Krzysztof a high degree of independency. “The part of my job that I appreciate the most is that I can take part in the decision making process with the customer.”

Also Krzysztof’s management detected his capabilities, and invested in his development. “Over the years I’ve had great support from the management. Every year I joined several trainings, and I was always rewarded for my hard work.” And, Krzysztof makes sure to mention, Kuehne + Nagel has changed a lot over the years as well. “I like how the company adapts constantly. We’re always moving forward, in all aspects ranging from the business to the workings of HR. That’s one of our strengths.”

Would you also like to work for a company that cares about their people’s development? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Professionally, Kuehne + Nagel allowed Elpida to constantly grow and to move from one country to another. After two years in her operational position, her manager - who had noticed Elpida’s talent for processes - prepared her for the next step in her career: “At some point a new system had to be introduced, and my manager handed the project to me.” This would be the stepping stone to her new role as Systems & Process Manager.

Elpida explains what her job entails: “I implement change from A to Z, the goal being to enable a user to work faster and be more productive. This can go from making setups in the systems we use and changing the whole process flow that we follow, to adapting the Outlook rules in the mailboxes of our colleagues.”

After several years in Athens, Elpida took her expertise to the Kuehne + Nagel in Belgrade. “It was always quite easy to develop throughout the years, because my management always pushed me to go forward”, Elpida explains. And Belgrade offered an amazing new challenge, permitting Elpida to establish the processes of the seafreight department from scratch allowing operational tasks to be nearshored from all over EMEA.

In March 2018, Elpida took another career step and moved to Kuehne + Nagel Antwerp where she’s currently continuing her job as Seafreight Systems & Processes Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg. “I received an offer from Belgium, where I already had good connections with certain colleagues that I cooperated with. I saw it as a great opportunity and accepted the offer.”

On a personal level, the people Elpida met in Kuehne + Nagel impacted her career path as well as her life. “I met my husband in Kuehne + Nagel, and we have a son together”, she clarifies. The occasional visit of their son to the office always has everyone smitten with his enthusiasm, especially when he utters the names of the seafreight systems in use. “My friends are even joking that our son will also join Kuehne + Nagel”, Elpida adds with a laugh.

Would you also like to work for a company that is more than just a workplace? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Although most consignments are large volumes of pharmaceuticals, there’s one type of shipment destined for one person only. Usually these individuals—who can find themselves in all corners of the globe—are in need of specific type of medical equipment or medicines. “Airfreight Pharma in general is very interesting and fast-paced, but these shipments destined for one individual are in my opinion the most challenging aspect of the job. Timing can potentially make a big difference.”

Little did we know that Michael’s first aid knowledge would also come in handy in an obstacle run in which we participated with several colleagues from Kuehne + Nagel. One of them dislocated his ankle in a painful unfortunate jump. “Until the ambulance arrived, I helped to stabilise his foot. A couple of days after the accident he contacted me to thank me.”

Michael shows how useful first aid knowledge can be, and we are grateful that Michael was present at the event, and he, in turn, is grateful to be a part of the Kuehne + Nagel family. “I really appreciate that I was offered the opportunity to join the company as a Forwarder without any knowledge previous experience or knowledge about the field!”

Would you also like to work at Kuehne + Nagel? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

Pamela Quinn confirms Kuehne + Nagel Ireland’s pledge to continuous improvement as a Best Workplace: “Kuehne + Nagel Ireland is committed to developing high-trust relationships throughout every level of our organisation. This is demonstrated through our active involvement with the Great Place to Work® institute for the last 9 years. The insights gained from the employee survey give Kuehne + Nagel Ireland clear direction on where we excel as an employer and areas where we can develop year on year, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement as a Best Workplace for our colleagues.”

Through the annual survey for Great Place to Work, Kuehne + Nagel Ireland gain definitive insights showing consistent growth in their Trust scores. These scores clearly indicate that trust in their leader is at an all-time high. The Great Place to Work model defines the Employee Perspective of a Great Workplace as one where you trust the people you work for, you have pride in the work you do, and you enjoy the people you work with.

The Best Workplace accolade is a remarkable achievement, since it demonstrates to customers and competitors alike that Kuehne + Nagel have unlocked the business benefits of a high-trust, high performing culture. Pamela Quinn confirms “Kuehne + Nagel Ireland is dedicated to maintaining a culture that values entrepreneurial spirit, diversity, innovation and teamwork. We are committed to providing an environment where every employee is able to bring their best self to work; encouraging an agile organisation which is better placed to respond to a rapidly changing world.”

Tamuna had never heard of Kuehne + Nagel before applying for this position, and she was positively surprised to find out that it is one of the world’s leading logistics service providers. “I can proudly say that I work for Kuehne + Nagel! It's such a big company with a worldwide presence and an important player in the forwarding industry.”

Although Tamuna’s job as a receptionist differs a lot from her previous occupation as a tour guide, both professions share the aspect that she likes the most: people. Our international environment allows her to interact with people from different backgrounds. "For me, a job is not just to earn money. You pass more time at work than with your family, so it should be a pleasure to wake up in the morning and go to work. And I really feel that way here, because everyone is so friendly."

Would you also like to work in an international environment? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

The Environment Day in Bangladesh was the first of a year round series of activities targeted to prevent water pollution, tree planting, carbon emissions reductions, and noise, river and air pollution. The Day started with a street rally with the slogan “Save the Earth”, planting 300 trees around the city, and a drama performance by our employees with the theme “plant more trees and do not waste water”.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom the Environment Day was set to promote environmental awareness. Amongst the many initiatives Kuehne + Nagel fully equipped another three locations with LED lighting and reviewed the use of plastic across all operations which resulted in removing plastic cups from drinks machines in many locations. A lot of effort was put in reducing fuel by using telematics to monitor, inform and train drivers to improve their driving styles. Moreover, in a local school Kuehne + Nagel employees helped planting 200 trees!

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain

Kuehne + Nagel employees and their families in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain drew paintings with the theme “Environment Day”. Apart from that, the campaign “think before you print” was introduced in all sites together with a paper usage training, and the plastic free initiative included the distribution of porcelain cups and carry bags to promote reusable items.

And that’s where our "Performance and Potential Review" comes in! In January 2019, Beau started his new position as Route Development Manager for Asia Pacific. This new function, which will allow Beau to travel abroad, was a result of a conversation with our Sales Director Harsha.

“In the Performance and Potential Review you talk with your manager about the company’s expectations for you, as well as your expectations for the company. It has always been one of my dreams to travel for work, so I got the chance to go on a business trip to China and Taiwan to see if this function would suit me.”

And indeed it did!

Would you also like to work for a company that cares about its peoples’ development? Check out our open vacancies in our Career Portal: https://jobs.kuehne-nagel.com

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF IMO 2020?

The prospect of IMO 2020 has resulted in a high level of uncertainty about availability of petroleum products and pricing. It will affect vessel operators, refineries, and global oil markets. Vessel operators have the following choices to comply with the new IMO 2020 sulphur limits:

1. Use scrubbers (emission cleaning technology) to remove pollutants from the ship’s exhaust, which allows them to continue using higher-sulphur fuels. However, the process of installing scrubbers is limited and expensive due to space and capacity constraints and will increase operating costs. In addition, the price and availability of higher-sulphur fuels after 2020 remains uncertain. Amongst others, China and Singapore have already banned open-loop scrubbers in inland port waters and coastal shipping ECAs because the environmental benefits are questionable.

2. Switch to non-petroleum-based fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) for newer vessels with appropriate specifications. However, the infrastructure to support the use of LNG is currently limited in scope and availability. Experts predict that by 2020 approximately 250 to 500 vessels, or a maximum of 10% of the global container fleet, will either be equipped with pollution cleaning technology or will be able to burn LNG.

3. Switch to a Very Low Sulphur Fuel (VLSF) that complies with the new rules (most likely choice). However, the cost, widespread availability and specifications of a new fuel for use in marine engines are still uncertain. The petroleum industry needs to adapt refineries and supply chains and is likely to pass these costs on to the market.

WHAT ARE IMPACTS AND RISKS?

It is currently not possible to indicate an amount for the future price levels for VLSF. At this stage all we can predict is that it will cost more than currently available fuels. Today’s forecast assumes a short- to midterm increase in bunker prices between US$ 180 and US$ 400 per TEU. Due to the significant increase in bunker prices, every company involved in seafreight will be confronted with rising transportation costs. When IMO 2020 comes into effect transportation services may be disrupted as a result of inadequate fuel quality, which may lead to engine failures or insufficient availability of compliant bunker fuels.

WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT ON FREIGHT RATES?

According to current calculations, the expected increase in costs will have a significant impact on the overall prices of container transportation and on freight rates. Whilst the implementation date for IMO 2020 is January 1, 2020, we anticipate freight rates to increase as early as the end of the third quarter of 2019. Therefore, long-term agreements for both full and part load containers will include a price adjustment method also known as Bunker Adjustment Factor.

ILLUSTRATION OF IMO 2020 CHALLENGES

POSITIONING OF KUEHNE + NAGEL

The shipping industry must prepare for a future with lower transport emissions. Kuehne + Nagel welcomes any industry approach to improve environmental protection and fully supports this initiative. IMO 2020 will ensure that ocean transportation remains the most environmentally friendly and carbon efficient mode of transportation.

KUEHNE + NAGEL SUPPORTS ITS CUSTOMERS TO MASTER IMO 2020

Our ultimate goal at Kuehne + Nagel is to run our customer’s business without disruptions but at competitive prices. As the world’s largest seafreight service provider, we are ideally positioned to respond to the challenges related to IMO 2020. We provide our customers with up-to-date information, transparency and security and enable them to react appropriately to possible disruptions in the supply chain. Our experts will constantly strive to successfully solve potential IMO 2020 challenges.

In order to offset price risks associated with the foreseeable increase in freight costs for new fuels, Kuehne + Nagel is currently working on a fixed bunker scheme that will be available for certain volume contracts at competitive prices.

Robert Mant, Vice President Global Reefer Sales, has been in the fruit transportation business for 27 years. His job at Kuehne + Nagel is to look at the requirements of customers in the perishables business on a global scale. Not surprisingly, then, Robert is well aware of what fruit producers and customers are looking for in a logistics partner. He follows up on their changing needs and shares this knowledge with our global network of experts. “My goal is to leverage our global network of KN FreshChain professionals across the world to achieve the best results for the customer.”

Initially, Robert was at the other side of the negotiation table himself, entrusting bananas and pineapples of a previous employer to Kuehne + Nagel. His experience on the customer side allows him to place himself in the customer’s shoes. “What I already learned back then is, if something is promised by Kuehne + Nagel, it will be delivered. That’s crucial in this business. And as a customer, it gives you peace of mind.”

This positive experience, along with Kuehne + Nagel’s renowned in-house perishable expertise, operational excellence, and IT capabilities, steered Robert’s decision to join the company almost two years ago. In the digital age, with real-time data increasingly gaining importance, those IT capabilities have become a big selling point.

“The customer, especially in the fast-paced perishables business in which timing is essential, likes to know exactly where the cargo is. When will it be shipped? When will it arrive? Are there problems on route? One of our biggest assets are our integrated IT systems which provides this transparency to the customer.”

Even Robert himself has been amazed by Kuehne + Nagel’s deliberate strategies and advanced digital solutions, exclaiming that “the company’s capabilities are far more than I thought they were before I started working here in 2017”. And part of this strength lies in its people: “Working here has been very eye opening and positive. The group I belong to in Bremen is a tight-knit management team, but we’re part of the huge seafreight teams we have all over the world. Each and every person matters to create the best possible customer experience.”

“What a great way to start 2019, which is also the year we mark our 65 successful years in the country. We are very excited about this achievement, which is another important milestone, as we work together to support the sustainable growth of the local economy” says Marcus Balzereit, Managing Director of Kuehne + Nagel Southern Africa. “As a company, we are part of the society and actively take part in the transformation of South Africa. Our new BEE status is a clear demonstration of our commitment towards the country, and, in turn, it is a proof that we are fully committed to our customers and suppliers who seek out Level 1 business partners” explains Balzereit.

Kuehne + Nagel South Africa has entrenched transformation programmes based on its key strategic pillars “People, Customers and Technology”, with a strong focus on enterprise development, employment, and skills development initiatives within the communities it operates in.

Through the Kuehne + Nagel Inzuzo Trust, the company invests in the education and entrepreneurial development of young, female South Africans. This year, the Trust continues with the Bursary Program, which will offer bursaries to second- and third-year students studying towards a bachelor degree in logistics, transport economics, accounting, financial management, and information systems.

Kevin Verstraelen, Business Development Manager for Belgium’s reefer business, explains why you should “cherry pick” Kuehne + Nagel as a logistics partner for a fruitful cooperation: “We have a unique global network of dedicated reefer specialists. Our reefer desk was founded almost 20 years ago, in 1999, and has been growing ever since. Think of us as a specialist team within the Kuehne + Nagel organisation giving your special product a special treatment.”

With more than 55 reefer desks and 350 reefer professionals across the globe, Kuehne + Nagel is well-equipped to transport temperature-sensitive goods with the care they need and deserve. Our KN FreshChain solution, which focuses on the transport of fruits and vegetables, ensures an even more tailored solution for fruit farmers.

Great service starts with knowing your customer’s product. Last year’s harvest season, Kevin put on his rain boots and ventured into the lush apple orchards of one of our customers in the Belgian province of Limburg. He exclaims: “I’m always interested to learn what is important for our customers. The customer’s business is our business. Did you know, for example, that apple blossoms are extremely sensitive to frostbite and will not yield any apples when frozen? Together we root for a great harvest, so that afterwards we can transport delicious crunchy apples around the world.”

Behind the scenes, this transportation involves many more Kuehne + Nagel colleagues than one might think. As Kevin proudly explains, our colleagues in operations do an excellent job demonstrating true customer care which, so he add, makes his own job as Business Development Manager a lot easier. “It’s a relief to be able to assure the customer that once their business is on board it will be handled competently by our respective operational teams in the reefer desks.”

In the beginning of February, Kevin will attend Fruit Logistica in Berlin for the fourth time. Convinced of the added value that Kuehne + Nagel can provide, Kevin calls upon all fruit farmers to visit the booth at the fair. “The apple and pear business is looking good this year. We’re still expecting a fruitful export season of apples to India. Jump on board with us, we’re ready to move your apples!”

Recognised for his active involvement in community service and for his achievements in establishing and driving the Integrated Logistics service offering across the region, John Hancock, Vice President of Integrated Logistics for South Asia Pacific, was conferred the ‘Supply Chain Executive of the Year’. When asked what keeps him motivated, John shared that “developing people and business, challenging the status quo and collaborating with customers to drive real improvements in logistics and supply chain performance” are his main drivers.

In the Corporate Award category, Kuehne + Nagel took home the ‘Care and Positive Work Environment of the Year’ award (received by Laurent Simon, Head of Kuehne + Nagel Singapore and Malaysia) and the ‘Global 3PL of the Year’ award (received by Jens Drewes, President of Kuehne + Nagel South Asia Pacific). Providing a positive work environment and strong people development plans are at the heart of the company’s organisational strategy focused on a core belief that people and their expertise are the key drivers to its success. “Your + Shapes our Future”, Kuehne + Nagel’s employer branding motto, highlights the importance of people and how their “plus” (talents, contributions, growth) are imperative in shaping the company’s future.

The ‘Global 3PL of the Year’ award recognises industry leaders on the global stage. Kuehne + Nagel is proud to be the sole recipient of this award, a testament to our commitment to customer excellence and to staying ahead of the rapid changes in the logistics industry.

We dedicate all of these awards to our customers and colleagues. Thank you for your continued affirmation, support and trust.

About Supply Chain Asia:
Supply Chain Asia is a not-for-profit professional body that aims to bring professionals from within the logistics and supply chain industry together to share knowledge, learn from one another and create opportunities for collaborations.

The new state of the art facility will be equipped with cold rooms, bonded areas, secure areas, high bay racking and the office for the national airfreight management. Marcus Balzereit, Managing Director Kuehne + Nagel Southern Africa: “With these features in an excellent location close to the Tambo Airport and inside the JT Ross Plumbago Logistics Park, the facility is an important milestone to support our growth in automotive, perishables and retail logistics. It is also an integer part of Kuehne + Nagel's KN PharmaChain network providing a GxP compliant Pharma Competency Center servicing Sub Sahara Africa."

Kuehne + Nagel with its 11 offices is one of the leading international freight forwarders in South Africa with 64 years of history and is a Level 2 BBBEE contributor with 30% Black Woman Ownership.

Laurent Simon, Managing Director of Kuehne + Nagel Singapore and Malaysia, “We are proud to use EVs to reduce carbon emissions. This initiative aligns with the Singapore’s government vision of an environmentally-friendly and self-sustainable transportation infrastructure while positioning us as a leader in Green logistics. As a company, we are always looking at how we can improve sustainability and driving greener solutions is an important part of our approach to greater sustainability.”

“We are delighted with Kuehne + Nagel efforts to partner local businesses for sustainable growth. With Kuehne + Nagel leading the commercial deployment of EVs for the logistics industry, we hope that more companies in Singapore will be inspired to embark on such environmentally-friendly initiatives, for a greener Singapore,” said Mr Lee Eng Keat, Executive Director, Logistics, Singapore Economic Development Board.

To further involve the company in the Green Logistics journey, Kuehne + Nagel employees with hybrid or electric cars are encouraged to use the charging stations during the day, when the stations are not in use by the commercial vehicles.

The JCB logistics center in Miami will service JCB dealers in the eastern United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The Kuehne + Nagel team will manage inbound deliveries from JCB and its external vendors, storage and inventory management of 30,000 parts, and the picking of goods according to JCB customer shipment schedules. For complete visibility, transparency, and service improvement of all flows, Kuehne + Nagel’s CIEL warehouse management system will be tailored with RF processes and full EDI data integration. The WMS allows for real time order management and sets the environment for future innovations such as voice picking. In addition, Kuehne + Nagel’s Lean management system, KNPS, will be utilized to drive year on year savings by monitoring product flows and continuously optimizing processes.

"JCB is committed to providing timely and reliable parts support for our dealers and customers around the globe," said Clyde Shepherd, General Manager of North American Parts Operations at JCB. "JCB's partnership with Kuehne + Nagel at our Miami parts facility will ensure better parts availability and shorter delivery times for our customers, and an even better overall JCB ownership experience."

“We’re proud to include JCB among our customers,” said Bob Mihok, President, Kuehne + Nagel North America. “Managing complex spare parts supply chains is one of Kuehne + Nagel’s strengths; and we are confident that the new logistics operations in Miami will benefit both JCB and their customers.”