Logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel has expanded its road delivery network in China as part of an ongoing growth of services that the company said will be of particular benefit to its automotive customers.
Having launched its first long-haul shuttle service between Shanghai and Tianjin in April this year, with scheduled departures in either direction along the 1,200-km route three times a week, the company has added a second connection between Shanghai and Guangzhou, which will also run three times a week from both locations.
Using its own hub and spoke network Kuehne+Nagel said the services offer door-to-door services, direct pickups and deliveries, guaranteed departures and lead times, as well as proof-of-delivery management.
Automotive customers will also benefit from value-added services said a spokesperson for the company.
“Kuehne + Nagel’s road logistics services offer value propositions that will particularly benefit the automotive customers, including scheduled long-haul shuttle services, fast-speed lead times, GPS-managed tracking + tracing tools as well as strict safety and security rules,” he told Automotive Logistics. “We [also] provide our automotive customers value-added services such as packing, repacking, wrapping, labeling, among others.”
By the end of 2011 the company will have eight depots along its network at Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Beijing, Xiamen, Chengdu and Wuhan. The depots will offer a total of 20 links according to the company.
“The eight strategic depots are designed with the objectives of serving customers from all industries, in line with the company’s expansion strategies, and using our own hub and spoke network,” added the spokesperson..
The company said that the newly-launched services are being put in place to meet growing demand for reliable domestic services from new and established customers driven by rising local consumption. As part of this, it is also extending its office network, with new branches recently opened in Fuzhou, Wuxi, Zhengzhou, Taicang, Yangzhou and Yinchuan. Four more offices are planned in the central and western provinces by the end of the year, increasing Kuehne+Nagel’s presence in the country to 36 cities.
