Kuehne + Nagel expands European overland network, launches KN Euro-Line

The introduction of the new product portfolio, KN Euro-Line, together with a centralised network management approach will provide the basis for the planned growth.

Since 2007, Kuehne + Nagel has continuously extended its European groupage network through organic growth as well as strategic acquisitions. The company’s groupage network now has established line services between 38 countries across the continent.

The network is based on a central hub in Haiger, Germany, and seven regional hubs. In addition to its 300 international connections, Kuehne + Nagel also operates strong domestic groupage networks in large economies such as France and Germany.

To optimise transit times within the network, Kuehne + Nagel will increase its departure frequency and the number of direct lines between Europe’s economic centres; currently direct lines between Poznan and Strasbourg, Stuttgart and Milan, as well as Munich and Bologna have been set up.

According to management board member Dirk Reich, the company will add one new international direct connection each week during the next four years to achieve its objective of offering 500 scheduled connections throughout Europe by 2014.

The introduction of KN Euro-Line, a unified product portfolio across Europe, complemented by the KN Parcel product, is important for the extension of the overland network.

The standard product KN Euro-Line features clearly structured tariffs and set timetables. It is supplemented by KN Euro-Line Time-Definite, which guarantees on-time delivery within an agreed timeframe.

Kuehne + Nagel offers customers with time-sensitive shipments the two express products, KN Euro-Line Express (with shorter transit times than the standard product) and KN Euro-Line Express12 (shorter transit times and delivery before 12h00).

Along with regular groupage cargo, customers can also hand over smaller shipments of up to 32 kg using KN Parcel.

From this month, Kuehne + Nagel and its strategic suppliers, two experienced parcel service providers, will gradually introduce this parcel service across Europe.