The operation of Beiersdorf’s key logistics location in Hamburg will be transferred to Kuehne+Nagel, in accordance with a newly signed partnership agreement.
Kuehne+Nagel will take over the management of the main warehouse for the German market, and will also handle exports to the international cosmetics group’s foreign affiliates, starting in June 2008.
“This new co-operation will bring more flexibility and is a key step towards meeting the constantly rising demands of the competitive European environment,” said Markus Pinger, Beiersdorf’s executive board member responsible for logistics, adding that the company has significantly improved its international competitiveness by restructuring its supply and production chain in the last two years, which has reduced costs, increased flexibility, and improved the company’s ability to launch new products worldwide extremely quickly.
One of the key criteria for signing the agreement was the preservation of the 148 jobs at the centre as well as the long-term preservation of Hamburg as a logistics location. Logistics Centre employees can choose to stay with the new employer at the expanding Hamburg logistics location or take over other duties at one of Beiersdorf’s production facilities.
Kuehne+Nagel is a strong partner, with more than six million square metres of warehouse and logistics space in strategically important hubs in 55 countries. The company already employs 1,200 staff at its Hamburg location in the field of contract logistics, rail & road, sea freight, airfreight and IT.