With the acquisition of CFI, Commodity Forwarders Inc., an airfreight forwarder of perishables products in the United States, and Trillvane Ltd, one of the largest perishables specialists in Kenya, Kuehne + Nagel expands its global perishables network by adding more than 150,000 tons of perishables and further strengthens its position in providing end-to-end international and domestic fresh chain solutions.

CFI, 1974 established by Alfred Kuehlewind as one-man office in Los Angeles shipping strawberries to Europe, today operates 14 locations throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, with more than 700 employees. The company is specialized in airfreight export and import as well as distribution of seafood, all kinds of agricultural products, flowers, and greens. As a leader in the US perishable forwarding industry, CFI differentiates itself through its expertise, ability to provide high-end visibility and delivering unprecedented product quality for its customers’ fresh chains.

“We are looking forward to become part of the Kuehne + Nagel Group,” said Kuehlewind, founder and CEO of CFI. “The planned transaction will offer us new growth perspectives and access to a global logistics network. Both companies’ customers will benefit from an extended service scope.”

The acquisition of Trillvane Ltd, Kenya, will enable Kuehne + Nagel to strengthen its position in perishables operations between Kenya and Europe, in particular to the UK. With its 130 employees Trillvane is specialized in the export of flowers and vegetables. Its location at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi provides easy and quick access to all major airlines allowing for later cut-offs and shorter transit times leading to both cost savings and optimal handling of temperature sensitive goods.

“The two acquisitions mark another important step in our global perishable logistics strategy,” said Yngve Ruud, member of the management board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Airfreight Logistics. “These two transactions further strengthen and expand our fresh chain network connecting key production countries to major consumer markets. The business potential in the steadily growing global perishable sector is huge. Based on our dedicated network by now the largest in the logistics industry for perishables and globally integrated IT systems we can scale business opportunities and accelerate our growth in this sector with end-to-end transparency. At the same time, we improve our global and national positioning in airfreight. Together with CFI Kuehne + Nagel becomes the number two airfreight forwarder in the United States and the acquisition of Trillvane confirms our leading position in Kenya.”