Page 20 - LUA November December 2024 Issue for website
P. 20
INTERVIEW
? In a recent statement,
Kuehne+Nagel’s CEO emphasised
that “bigger isn’t always better,”
highlighting their focus on quality, not
just size, through their Roadmap 2026
strategy. Are we witnessing a shift
towards consolidation, where major
players are absorbing smaller and
mid-sized companies to strengthen their
market position?
The logistics market is highly fragmented.
Kuehne+Nagel, the number one freight
forwarder in sea logistics, controls between
3 and 4% of the sea freight market globally.
This number changes between the countries
and regions; still, it proves that even large
consolidations do not monopolise the
global market and leave room for small and
medium-sized logistics companies.
Our strategy at Kuehne+Nagel is
to continue growing organically, by
expanding our customer base and
increasing handled volumes across all
business units and verticals. Our Vision
2030, to become the most trusted supply high-tech, or high-value. For large
chain partner supporting a sustainable The booming customers with large volumes, having one
future, remains steadfast. Our Roadmap e-commerce contact person instead of multiple teams
2026 provides clear guidelines on how for all the logistics-related services is a
we plan to achieve this ambitious goal, industry actively great relief. In case of market disruptions,
with our cornerstones reflecting our key adds to the air freight no matter the kind, we can utilise our
priorities: the Kuehne+Nagel Experience, network and instantly offer alternative
Digital Ecosystem, Living ESG, and volumes. Customers solutions, something that small forwarders
Market Potential. are now used to ultra- simply cannot do.
At Kuehne+Nagel, our focus remains For many years, there have been
on quality and customer experience, rather fast delivery, which can discussions about whether some customers
than sheer quantity. As our global CEO, be achieved only with will shift to working with carriers directly,
Stefan Paul, has articulated, our approach air logistics. bypassing freight forwarders. While this
to growth is about becoming better, not certainly happens, we often see these
necessarily bigger. customers returning to us. The reason
Is Kuehne+Nagel looking into mergers I believe the fragmented market is simple: working with a carrier means
and acquisitions? We are always on the creates healthy competition and gives lost flexibility and a significant increase
lookout for the right partners, especially customers a selection of partners they in workload for the customer, who would
for the niche markets and services that can want to work with. rather focus on their core business than
support our global network and offerings At Kuehne+Nagel, our top priority the logistics. By choosing Kuehne+Nagel,
to our customers. is building and maintaining strong customers can enjoy the benefits of
relationships with our customers, our comprehensive services, industry
? With the rise of super forwarders, business partners, and freight forwarders. expertise, and commitment to making
how do you see the dynamics We achieve this by providing the their logistics experience as smooth and
evolving between carriers, shippers, and experience and quality our customers efficient as possible.
forwarders, especially in the GCC region? and their cargo deserve and fostering
And how is Kuehne+Nagel positioning transparent and respectful cooperation ? The logistics industry in the GCC
itself to navigate these changes? with all parties involved. region faces unique challenges, such
The UAE alone has around 7,500 freight Our advantage is that we offer our as geopolitical tensions and shifting
forwarding companies. Some support customers a full range of services. We also trade routes. What are the main obstacles
only a few customers and ship a dozen have expertise and experience in handling you see in the region, and how is Kuehne
containers monthly. Some specialise in a specific, demanding products, such as + Nagel adapting to overcome them?
single activity, such as customs clearance. healthcare, semiconductors, perishables, Disruptions, whether geopolitical, natural
18 LUA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2024