Oct 18, 2016: Kuehne + Nagel reported increase in gross profit by 6.3 percent to CHF 4.900 million while net turnover slightly decreased in the first nine months of 2016.

The operational result (EBITDA) improved by 5.1 percent to CHF 817 million. Earnings for the period increased by 4.1 percent to CHF 533 million compared to the previous year’s period.

Despite the airfreight market remained tense in the third quarter, Kuehne + Nagel grew its tonnage by 3.8 percent and gross profit per 100 kilos by 1.4 percent, mainly due to further scaling its industry-specific solutions. Compared to the first nine months of the previous year, Kuehne + Nagel increased its volume by 2.2 percent.

The seafreight division sees 4.5 percent increase in container volumes in the third quarter 2016. Kuehne + Nagel again outperformed market growth of one to two percent. Beside material volume increases in the transpacific and intra-Asian trade lanes, reefer transports in particular contributed to the favourable development. The low rate levels in most of the trade lanes continued and the impact of the further consolidation of the shipping industry increased pressure on the margins. Compared to the first nine months of the previous year, Kuehne + Nagel expanded its container volume by 5.4 percent.

In the overland business unit, growth momentum in turnover and gross profit from the previous quarters continued. Business developed particularly well in Europe, whilst slowing in the USA due to the development of transport cost.

The successful implementation of new projects continued, leading to an increase of 4.4 percent in gross profit in the third quarter.

Detlef Trefzger, CEO of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, said, “Cautious consumer behaviour in parts of the EU and the USA resulted in lower export volumes in Asia. In addition, the tougher situation in the shipping industry increased pressure on seafreight margins. By maintaining our Group’s focus on industry-specific logistics solutions and high-quality services, we succeeded in achieving growth and stable results despite the demanding market environment. We are confident about the business development in the fourth quarter of 2016.”

Read Full Article