Kuehne + Nagel opens logistics centre in the Flemish town of Geel
Kuehne + Nagel’s new and highly functional logistics facility was officially inaugurated today. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt, and the Executive Chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Klaus-Michael Kuehne, as well as numerous customers and business partners.Located on a 100,000 sqm plot in Geel Punt Industrial Park and built in less than a year, the logistics complex is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology and complies with strictest security and environmental requirements. The facility’s 45,000 sqm of warehouse space are efficiently utilised by a high-bay storage systems offering 50,000 pallet positions and include 12,000 sqm for the provision of value-added services. The total investment amounted to 30 million euros. In a next phase of construction, warehouse space at the site can be extended to a total 75,000 sqm.In line with Kuehne + Nagel’s full service concept, the currently 300 employees basedatthefacilityprovidetraditional inbound and outbound logistics services, efficient warehousing and distribution solutions as well as comprehensive value-added services across the entire supply chain. For the key customer at the location, Lexmark, one of the world’s leading providers of printing solutions and associated supplies and services for offices and homes, the logistics terminal serves as European import, warehousing and distribution centre.„Kuehne + Nagel’s new terminal in Geel supports our development strategy and represents a significant operational improvement to better serve our customers. We were very impressed with Kuehne + Nagel’s cooperation and the partnership approach to launch this new state-of-the-art logistics centre“, said Cathy Iacobo, Vice President Customer Services EMEA for Lexmark.Decisive in Kuehne + Nagel’s decision to locate its new facility in Geel were the site’s excellent tri-modal access to motorways, railways and waterways as well as its proximity to Brussels airport and the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam; advantages for which Flanders is recognised as a preferred hub by globally operating logistics providers. The bundling of goods at this strategic location facilitates the optimisation of processes and reduction of costs.In his speech, Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt welcomed Kuehne + Nagel’s investment in Belgium, which in addition to creating new jobs underlines the significance of the country and the region for the strongly growing logistics industry.Executive Chairman Klaus-Michael Kuehne said at the opening ceremony: “I am very pleased that the inauguration of this large and modern logistics facility in Geel coincides with the 50th anniversary of our Belgian organisation. It takes our dynamic business performance into account and justifies the confidence our customers place in Kuehne + Nagel’s sophisticated service offering.”After successful beginnings in its traditional seafreight business at the port of Antwerp, Kuehne + Nagel has over the last five decades continually expanded its logistics infrastructure in Belgium and today ranks among the country’s leading providers in all business fields. The completion of the acquisition of ACR Logistics with strong operations in Europe at the beginning of this year has considerably strengthened the Belgian Kuehne + Nagel organisation. The company meanwhile employs 2,000 staff at seven locations and has 300,000 sqm under management.
With around 45,000 employees at 750 locations in more than 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics and overland businesses, with a clear focus on providing IT-based supply chain management services.
