The forwarder’s ‘Singapore Logistics Hub’ is a 50,000 sqm built-to-suit facility located in the west of the city-state and is designed to support K+N supply chain clients operating in ASEAN countries. More than 40 per cent of the hub has been fitted with chilled storage, redressing and postponement facilities to support the growing base of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies operating in Asia.

Klaus-Michael Kuehne, majority shareholder and honorary chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International, said Singapore was chosen as the location for the hub due its position on major shipping lanes. “We identified [Singapore’s] pivotal role to regional trade 46 years ago and it remains today an important part of our growth strategy in Asia Pacific,” he said.

“The Singapore Logistics Hub is Kuehne + Nagel’s largest investment outside Europe and represents our long-term commitment to the market.”

K+N did not divulge the exact amount it spent building the new hub but claimed that apart from offering standard freight and warehousing services it would also serve as “a regional centre of excellence for high-tech, industrial, pharmaceutical and healthcare customers, offering supply chain optimisation and value-chain transformation solutions”.

Detlef Trefzger, CEO of the Kuehne + Nagel Group, said setting up a centre of excellence for logistics innovation was an integral element of Kuehne + Nagel’s strategy to foster operations-related logistics innovation through stronger collaboration with customers, partners and employees.

“Global companies are realising that efficient supply chain management can be the differentiator in today’s dynamic business landscape,” he added. “The centre of excellence will allow us to work alongside our customers and partners in developing technologies and business strategies that are pragmatic and enhance supply chain efficiencies.”

Source: lloydsloadinglist.com