IN A move designed to create one of Europe's leading integrated networks embracing 35 countries and achieving an
estimated annual turnover of Euros 1,2 billion, Switzerland's Kuehne & Nagel International and Gefco SA of France have signed an agreement on the mutual reshaping of their pan-European groupage and road transport services.
Initially Gefco will acquire a 60% share in K&N's German subisidiary KN Elan, following which Gefco and K&N will merge their respective activities in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK, in which Gefco will hold the majority. They are to be named Gefco-KN.
In the remaining countries the partners will continue to operate with their own national companies: Gefco in France and K&N
in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Austria, Greece, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Turkey.
In order to centrally steer their new pan-European network, the partners will set up a Gefco-controlled joint management company in Paris which will implement uniform IT (information technology) and communication systems.
For local shippers, the benefit will be a more streamlined intra-European transport service according to SA m.d. Karl-Heinz Balzer.
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