Kuehne + Nagel
Kuehne+Nagel is a Swiss-listed global freight forwarder and contract logistics provider operating across sea, air, road, and warehousing modes for ~400,000 customers in seven industry verticals.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1890
- HeadquartersSchönefeld, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Kuehne + Nagel does
Kuehne+Nagel International AG is a publicly listed Swiss freight forwarder and supply chain manager, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Switzerland, operating across sea, air, road, and contract logistics with ~85,000 employees at ~1,300 sites in ~100 countries serving 400,000+ customers. The company runs an asset-light model that procures cargo capacity from carriers and resells it through direct enterprise sales teams organised around seven verticals (aerospace, automotive, healthcare, high-tech, consumer, industrial, perishables), supplemented by digital self-service via the myKN portal and dedicated industry solutions such as HealthChain-certified cold chain and the SAF Certification Programme. Revenue is generated primarily through transaction fees on freight forwarding (Sea, Air, Road) and managed services for contract logistics, with FY2025 net turnover of approximately $42.4 billion and reported EBIT of CHF 1.24 billion. Recent strategy emphasises North American landside container logistics (IMC Logistics), India expansion to ~1 million sqm of warehousing by 2030, a CHF 200 million structural cost reduction programme, and AI-led digital transformation of the freight forwarding workflow.
Kuehne + Nagel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kuehne + Nagel
- Legal name
- Kuehne+Nagel International AG
- Website
- https://home.kuehne-nagel.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1890
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Kuehne+Nagel is a Swiss-listed global freight forwarder and contract logistics provider operating across sea, air, road, and warehousing modes for ~400,000 customers in seven industry verticals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kuehne + Nagel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Wholesale-Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods (5190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Parts & Service‑Critical (Spare Parts, Field Service) (TLAAADAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Chemicals & Petrochemicals (Non-Hazmat Specialized Handling) (TLAIALAJ)
Keywords
Where Kuehne + Nagel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Schönefeld
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Kuehne + Nagel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Sea Logistics: Sea freight forwarding services generating revenue through volume-based freight rates and margin on cargo space procurement. EBIT declined 46% YoY in Q1 2026 to CHF 113 million due to Middle East disruptions and normalized freight rates.
- Air Logistics: Air cargo forwarding services including own-controlled air freight network expansion in early June 2026. Revenue generated from freight rates, with margin pressure from softer demand and normalized volumes.
- Contract Logistics: Warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution services including temperature-controlled facilities. Generates recurring revenue from long-term contracts with enterprise customers. Road Logistics posted 32% EBIT rise in Q1 2026.
- Road Logistics: Overland transportation services across global road networks, generating transaction-based revenue. Strong performance with 32% EBIT growth in Q1 2026 partially offset sea freight losses.
- Customs Clearance and Consulting: Customs brokerage and trade consulting services for import/export compliance, part of integrated supply chain solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Enterprise freight forwarding and contract logistics services quoted per engagement |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kuehne + Nagel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kuehne+Nagel provides international freight forwarding and integrated supply chain solutions across sea, air, and road transport modes, supplemented by contract logistics (warehousing, fulfilment, distribution), customs brokerage, e-commerce, cold chain, and project logistics. The company operates an asset-light model connecting ~400,000 customers across ~100 countries through ~1,300 sites and ~85,000 employees. Its service portfolio is delivered alongside digital tools such as the myKN tracking portal and the HealthChain quality standard for pharmaceutical logistics.
Product overview
Kuehne+Nagel's product portfolio consists of a multi-modal logistics platform organized around four core divisions: Sea Logistics, Air Logistics, Road Logistics, and Contract Logistics. These are supported by value-added services including Customs Clearance, Cargo Insurance, E-commerce, Project Logistics, and Sustainable Logistics. The company's digital layer is anchored by the myKN platform, which enables quote, booking, and tracking across all transport modes, while Seaexplorer provides port visibility. Healthcare capabilities are built on the HealthChain quality standard for GxP compliance. The company operates industry-specific solutions for Aerospace, Automotive and New Mobility, Consumer, Healthcare, High-Tech and Semicon, Industrial, and Perishables sectors, serving 400,000 customers globally with operations in ~100 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SAF Certification Programme: Sustainable Aviation Fuel certification programme helping customers reduce Scope 3 emissions and advance supply chain decarbonisation
- Ship Green
- MyKN
- HealthChain
- Seaexplorer
Products and services
- Sea Freight
Quantifiable outcome
- ~2,979 tonnes CO₂e avoided through Hapag-Lloyd biofuel partnership covering ~3,300 TEU on East Asia to North Europe lane (April–December 2026)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Kuehne + Nagel
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Kuehne + Nagel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature5 records
Kuehne + Nagel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Google CloudcoreKuehne+Nagel and Google Cloud expanded their sustainable aviation fuel partnership, with an agreement to purchase up to 5.2 million litres of SAF in 2026 for Google Cloud's air freight shipments. The deal is expected to reduce up to 12,600 tonnes of CO₂e emissions and serves as a pilot for future sustainability initiatives between the two companies. The collaboration supports Kuehne+Nagel's SAF certification programme and helps Google Cloud reduce Scope 3 emissions.
- MCH GroupcoreMCH Group appointed Kuehne+Nagel as Official Logistics Partner for five years starting July 1, 2026. Covers Messe Basel, Messe Zurich, and Beaulieu Lausanne — over 182,000 sqm of exhibition space supporting 150+ events annually. Includes Art Basel shows in Basel, Hong Kong, Paris, Miami Beach, and Qatar, as well as Swissbau and Giardina. Kuehne+Nagel provides comprehensive logistics services including international shipping and on-site handling.
- Hapag-LloydcoreFirst joint sustainable ocean freight initiative between Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne+Nagel, using Hapag-Lloyd's Ship Green product with certified waste-based biofuels. Covers approximately 3,300 TEU of cargo on the East Asia to North Europe trade lane from April to December 2026, projected to avoid around 2,979 tonnes of CO₂e emissions. Uses a book-and-claim chain-of-custody mechanism. Both companies aim for net-zero by 2045 (Hapag-Lloyd) and 2050 (Kuehne+Nagel).
- IMC LogisticscoreKuehne+Nagel announced plans to acquire a majority stake in IMC Logistics, a US-based marine drayage provider. The transaction is intended to strengthen Kuehne+Nagel's North American landside container logistics capabilities and combines its global network with specialized regional expertise in the US market.
- Changan UKminorKuehne+Nagel operates a 3,600 sq. m temperature-controlled parts warehouse for Changan UK at East Midlands Gateway. Stores parts imported from Changan's parent company in China and supports efficient distribution to the dealer network, aligning with Changan's five-year aftersales growth strategy and broader 'Vast Ocean Plan' for global expansion.
- CasaideascoreSeven-year logistics partnership expanded with a 30,000 m² semi-automated distribution centre in Santiago, Chile, operational since 2025. Handles 34.8 million inbound units and distributes 24.7 million products to 40+ stores nationwide, processing ~190,000 digital orders annually. Supports Casaideas' omnichannel growth strategy with energy-efficient and ESG-aligned operations.
- FarrowcoreKuehne+Nagel set to acquire Farrow in early 2024 (subject to regulatory approval). The acquisition aims to enhance Kuehne+Nagel's capabilities in customs brokerage, trade consulting, and logistics while preserving Farrow's brand and leadership team. Represents strategic expansion in North American customs brokerage services.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kuehne + Nagel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nippon Express Holdings: Japan's largest freight forwarder and 3PL; competes globally in air, ocean, and contract logistics with strong Asia-Pacific presence overlapping K+N's regional footprint.
- DHL Global Forwarding (Deutsche Post DHL): Air and ocean freight forwarding arm of Deutsche Post DHL Group; competes head-on with K+N across sea, air, road, and contract logistics, including DHL's strong cold-chain and life-sciences capabilities that overlap with K+N's HealthChain franchise.
- Expeditors International: US-listed, asset-light freight forwarder focused on sea and air freight with similar customer profile (enterprise shippers) and margin structure. Closest publicly traded pure-play comparable on business model.
- DSV A/S: Denmark-based global freight forwarder and one of the largest in the world following its 2024 acquisition of DB Schenker. Direct competitor across sea, air, and road forwarding with overlapping customer base and asset-light model, and the most direct head-to-head peer to K+N by scale and service mix.
- CEVA Logistics (CMA CGM): Global 3PL owned by CMA CGM; competes with K+N across contract logistics, sea-air forwarding, and finished-vehicle logistics, with increasing integration into ocean carrier parent.
- Maersk Logistics & Services: Logistics arm of A.P. Møller-Mærsk integrating ocean carrier capacity with end-to-end forwarding; competes with K+N in sea freight forwarding and contract logistics, particularly for Asia-Europe lanes.
- Sinotrans Limited: China's largest logistics company and state-affiliated freight forwarder; a direct competitor in Asia-origin ocean and air freight where K+N's Apex Logistics acquisition is positioned to compete.
- Bolloré Logistics: France-headquartered freight forwarder and contract logistics provider; competes with K+N in Europe, Africa, and luxury/fashion verticals under similar asset-light approach.
Broad incumbents
- UPS Supply Chain Solutions: Freight forwarding and contract logistics arm of UPS; broader portfolio spans parcel and supply chain services but directly competes with K+N in air freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and healthcare logistics.
Emerging players
- XPO Logistics / GXO Logistics: Contract logistics and warehousing peers (XPO spun off GXO). GXO in particular competes with K+N Contract Logistics in e-commerce and retail fulfillment, including omnichannel distribution centers similar to the Casaideas DC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kuehne + Nagel social profiles
Digital presenceKuehne + Nagel compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Kuehne + Nagel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kuehne + Nagel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Kuehne + Nagel subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Kuehne + Nagel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kuehne + Nagel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A32 records
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kuehne + Nagel
What does Kuehne + Nagel do?
Kuehne+Nagel provides international freight forwarding and integrated supply chain solutions across sea, air, and road transport modes, supplemented by contract logistics (warehousing, fulfilment, distribution), customs brokerage, e-commerce, cold chain, and project logistics. The company operates an asset-light model connecting ~400,000 customers across ~100 countries through ~1,300 sites and ~85,000 employees. Its service portfolio is delivered alongside digital tools such as the myKN tracking portal and the HealthChain quality standard for pharmaceutical logistics.
Is Kuehne + Nagel a public or private company?
Kuehne + Nagel is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Kuehne + Nagel founded?
Kuehne + Nagel was founded in 1890. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Kuehne + Nagel based?
Kuehne + Nagel is headquartered in Schönefeld, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Kuehne + Nagel make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Sea Logistics are the primary driver. The others are air Logistics, contract Logistics, road Logistics and customs Clearance and Consulting.
Who are Kuehne + Nagel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nippon Express Holdings, DHL Global Forwarding (Deutsche Post DHL), Expeditors International, DSV A/S, CEVA Logistics (CMA CGM), Maersk Logistics & Services, Sinotrans Limited and Bolloré Logistics. UPS Supply Chain Solutions is listed as a broad incumbent. XPO Logistics / GXO Logistics is listed as an emerging player.
Does Kuehne + Nagel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kuehne + Nagel.
What industry is Kuehne + Nagel in?
Kuehne + Nagel's product category is Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAAADAI, Industrial Parts & Service‑Critical (Spare Parts, Field Service), with a secondary code of TLAIALAJ, Chemicals & Petrochemicals (Non-Hazmat Specialized Handling). Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.