Kuehne+Nagel & Airbus' Partnership: Reshaping Logistics
Kuehne+Nagel has announced the renewal of its agreement with Airbus, centralising on the logistics of sites across Spain.
The partnership also ventures into new domains, including helicopter maintenance, impacting procurement strategies notably.
As Kuehne+Nagel and Airbus fortify their procurement networks and extend their supply chain capabilities, they collaborate to maintain a competitive edge in meeting demand.
A longstanding partnership
Kuehne+Nagel ranks among the leading logistics providers globally, employing more than 82,000 personnel across nearly 1,300 locations in about 100 countries.
It is the chosen logistics partner for 400,000 customers worldwide, reflecting its extensive reach and capability in logistics procurement.
For more than 130 years, Kuehne+Nagel has transitioned from a traditional shipping company to a comprehensive global logistics provider.
Meanwhile, Airbus stands as Europe's largest aeronautics and space firm with a 54-year history, supplying products and solutions across commercial aircraft, helicopter, defence and space sectors.
This renewed agreement marks a significant milestone in a partnership spanning over two decades.
Initially formed in 2003, the collaboration between Kuehne+Nagel and Airbus has resulted in successive agreements that have continually bolstered their mutual growth and operational strength in supply chain and procurement practices.
Boosting operational efficiency
To sustain their competitiveness, Kuehne+Nagel has been proactive in investing in technology aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and traceability within the logistics sphere. They have implemented a proprietary warehouse management system and introduced robotic technology.
Moreover, Kuehne+Nagel has integrated an element control system leveraging RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and IoT (Internet of Things) applications. These advancements lead to more automated, efficient and expedited operations, reducing human error and facilitating efficient planning.
This technological integration places traceability at the forefront, allowing the partnership to focus more effectively on sustainability, ensuring suppliers also align with sustainable practices.
The partnership has initiated measures to minimise cardboard and plastic usage throughout the supply chain, ensuring these initiatives are monitored and managed efficiently.
As noted by Álvaro Nebreda, National Contract Logistics Manager for Spain: “We are honoured to continue supporting Airbus with tailored logistics solutions that integrate digital innovation, operational efficiency and a commitment to sustainability.”
Refined logistics strategy
The renewed agreement specifically targets streamlining logistics at production and storage sites across Spain, thereby elevating the efficiency of operations. Additionally, the collaboration now includes helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities as part of its expanded scope.
This partnership will comprehensively improve logistics operations across various facets, including in-plant logistics, inter-site transport services, warehouse-to-line deliveries, supply fulfilment centre operations and spare parts management, offering a seamless end-to-end supply oversight for production and storage sites.
Currently, over 900 Kuehne+Nagel employees are working within Spain, spread across various locations such as Albacete, Cádiz, Madrid, Sevilla, Toledo and Zaragoza.
Álvaro adds: “This collaboration underscores our dedication to the aerospace sector and highlights our adaptability to meet the evolving demands of our customers.”
After collaborating for more than 20 years, it is evident that the procurement partnership between Kuehne+Nagel and Airbus has been mutually advantageous, with both parties eager to continue expanding their logistics and supply chain operations further.
