Kuehne + Nagel Group New logistics hub for Hamburg

JOC Staff |
Hamburg, November 4, 2009 – In the presence of numerous customers and business partners from industry and trade, Ole von Beust, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and Chairman Klaus-Michael Kuehne officially opened one of the Kuehne + Nagel Group’s largest logistics centres in Obergeorgswerder to the south of Hamburg. The opening underlines the Company’s growth-oriented business strategy and its commitment to the Elbe metropolis.

The new complex of buildings which comprises five warehouses and two office facilities is situated on a 120,000 sqm plot of land and was completed after a construction period of roughly one year. The multifunctional facility provides 44,000 sqm of warehousing and handling space and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Featuring 166 loading bays, a spacious vehicle yard and closed-circuit TV, the logistics centre is geared to ensure fast and secure freight handling. The total investment amounts to 55 million euros.

Great importance was attached to the environmentally-friendly and sustainable architectural design and operations of the facility, demonstrated through extensive green spaces and plants as well as the lighting and heating systems and the use of regenerative energies. Kuehne + Nagel’s environmental commitment is also exemplified in a photovoltaic array on a roof space of 4,500 sqm which is among the largest in Hamburg.

With the opening of its new logistics centre in the Hamburg area Kuehne + Nagel is meeting the continuous demand for cost efficient integrated logistics solutions. The location is of particular importance for national and international overland traffic. The dimension and technical equipment of the handling spaces support the ambitious growth targets Kuehne + Nagel has set itself in this strategic business unit.

Consolidating the activities of contract logistics, overland transport, seafreight import and export, sales and management under one roof allows for more efficient processes and the generation of synergies. In Obergeorgswerder Kuehne + Nagel currently employs a staff of 450, of which 20 people work in newly created jobs.

Klaus-Michael Kuehne commented: “After our new German head office in the HafenCity and our logistics terminal in Altenwerder, the completion of this large-scale facility in Obergeorgswerder marks the third major investment in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg within six years. This underlines the outstanding importance of Hamburg as a logistics location for the globally operating Kuehne + Nagel Group. Just as in the HafenCity, we are among the pioneers of location optimisation. I am convinced that this new hub will considerably enlarge our service offering and at the same time will strengthen Hamburg’s position as an important logistics metropolis.”

Ole von Beust, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, said: “This investment shows Kuehne + Nagel’s loyalty to this location as well as their strong bond with Hamburg.”

About Kuehne + Nagel
With approximately 55,000 employees at 900 locations in over 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics and overland businesses, with a clear focus on providing IT-based lead logistics and supply chain management services. In Germany, Kuehne + Nagel employs around 10.000 people at over 100 locations.

For further information, please visit www.kuehne-nagel.com

For further information:
Kuehne + Nagel Corporate Communications
Ms Inge Lauble-Meffert +41 (0)44 786 96 78 inge.lauble@kuehne-nagel.com