Logistics specialist Kuehne+Nagel is revamping its aerospace-focused products and strategies to help companies better tackle supply chain headaches and sustainability targets.
Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) just launched improved AOG logistics capabilities in which control centers across every continent will enable customers to solve issues quickly. “We are trying to have a buddy system where, after [a shift ends], someone takes over,” says Andreas Nyman, K+N’s VP global head of aerospace. With control centers in every region, he says the revamped AOG capabilities will now enable customers to receive a quote and solution within 30 mins.
“With this system we now have, I can sit in Norway and book a shipment from Seattle to Tokyo, and I don’t need to interact with any colleagues because everything is available for me in the system,” he says. “It’s kind of a smart way of bypassing the time difference instead of waiting for someone.”
K+N’s Sustainable Engine Alliance partnership with Atlas Air and SR Technics is also working to establish a clear membership framework that lays out elements such as how new members are invited and what expectations are for all parties. “One of the things we’ll discuss is … a fast track for sustainable aviation fuel at a very good rate, but also the push to collect and share data openly for everyone and pooling that intelligence to share to everyone as a partner,” says Nyman.
Meanwhile, the company is investing in diversification of its data products. Nyman says K+N is working on launching capabilities for customers to digitally book quotes and access sustainability data.
According to Nyman, recent supply chain trends and geopolitical unrest have driven some changes in how customers are planning logistics. For instance, attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea which have disrupted supply chain operations are causing customers to reevaluate where their priorities lie in regard to price versus time. “There’s been an excellent ongoing discussion with all our customers, and we’ve tried to find a sea and air hybrid,” such as air shipments that pass Red Sea bottlenecks and use sea freight for the first and last mile. “People need to save money, but at the end of the day, not at the expense of time, because the delay is actually costing more than the transportation,” he adds.
As aerospace customers also seek short-term stock remedies, K+N is sitting down with them to ramp up forecasting. “I think [feedstock] is one of the root causes, because once those parts are finally available, it’s like everyone’s jumping the gun just to grab it. There was no pre-planning element because it was so rushed, and we lose a lot of efficiencies in the supply chain working that way,” says Nyman.
Like the rest of the aftermarket, K+N is trying to boost recruitment of new workforce. “It’s hard to find good people and to find them at the right location. We try to find efficiencies and work smarter with digital solutions, but now we’re reviewing talent programs and how we can attract people to our industry,” says Nyman. “For logistics, we’re kind of low on the food chain compared to all the OEMs, but we want to be out more in schools to talk about logistics and what we do.”
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