Can you give us a brief overview of the current business operations and services offered by Kuehne+Nagel?

As a company that has been present on the Macedonian market since 1996, Kuehne+Nagel offers quality logistics services in truck, air and ship transport, as well as complex multimodal solutions based on customer needs. Through the cooperation with Kuehne+Nagel Macedonia, customers have at their disposal a huge global logistics network of about 79,000 people positioned in over 1,300 locations on the world map...

What recently accomplished goals can the company boast of, what are you particularly proud of that Kuehne+Nagel has achieved lately?

As a National Manager, it gives me pleasure that in the last survey from November 2023, the Macedonian office of Kuehne+Nagel was declared as a Great Place To Work®, being included in the top 50 offices in the world with high employee satisfaction. Along with the management team, we try to provide employees with excellent working conditions, continuous professional upgrading and nurturing a solid corporate culture.

We are proud to grow continuously and gradually, while maintaining a high quality of services, nurturing partnership with our customers by understanding their logistics needs and offering the most suitable solutions for their business.

We are particularly proud to be able to offer environmentally friendly and sustainable transport solutions. Namely, since 2020, every groupage ship shipment transported by Kuehne+Nagel is carbon neutral, and upon customer request, we offer opportunities to offset CO₂ emissions for both full (container) ship shipments and truck shipments. We devote a significant amount of time and resources to digitalization of processes, which ultimately benefits our customers through faster, simpler and more efficient logistics. Regarding the number of clients, we have a significant market share, but there is certainly room for growth and further expansion of our portfolio.

After the world and economic crisis, we have a difficult period of adaptation in almost all industries. What challenges do you face to keep the business at the high level it is at?

The logistics industry is very sensitive to global geo-political and economic processes and of course Kuehne+Nagel is not immune to them. Since the Covid pandemic, the industry has faced continuous challenges, especially as the war in Ukraine has caused displacement in almost every industry globally. The recent military conflicts in the Middle East also have a direct impact on the world of logistics, with disruptions to shipping routes that normally run through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, shipping companies are forced to use an alternative route through the south of the African continent, resulting in significantly longer transit times and high costs for companies... Kuehne+Nagel, as a serious global brand, responded to such challenges by creating appropriate solutions, mainly by establishing new collection centers in the Middle East, multi-modal solutions (such as e.g. "Sea-Air" service), but also expansion of capacities in air transport from Asia to Europe and to the USA respectively...

Do you have any ongoing projects or initiatives that are shaping the direction of the company?

We are serious partners of global suppliers from the automotive industry who have built part of their production facilities here in Macedonia. Those successful stories have lasted for more than 15 years, among other things, thanks to the fact that investors recognize that Kuehne+Nagel Macedonia is a company with the necessary knowledge and quality services that enable their supply chain to function flawlessly.

On the other hand, for several years we have been supporting the import of medicines, vaccines and medical devices, as well as the export of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) with our Air Logistics Department which (in addition to the Road Logistics Department) is the holder of the highest standard for Good Distribution Practices (GDP Standard) – necessary for the transport of the above products according to the strictest standards required by the medical industry.

Last year, however, we established a Project Logistics Department within Kuehne+Nagel Skopje, as part of our strategic commitment to support the production processes of energy obtained from renewable sources with our logistics expertise. So, we are pleased to be part of the construction of wind parks, solar photovoltaic power plants and hydro-power plants in the territory of Macedonia, but also in the region.

Can you share some information about your company's strategic priorities for the coming year?

Our Roadmap 2026 and Vision 2030 consist of 4 pillars that reflect our priorities: Unique Kuehne+Nagel Experience, Digital Ecosystem, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and Market Potential.

Priorities will provide a unique Kuehne+Nagel experience for both employees and customers and support the industry's best logistics experts with a Digital Ecosystem that turns innovative technologies into competitive advantages. Kuehne+Nagel's goal is to create shared values for all stakeholders (community, employees and customers) through ESG...

We will invest in even better solutions in healthcare logistics, E-commerce and quality forwarding services, and we will also deepen cooperation with customers dealing with renewable energy sources...

Any innovations you would share with us that help you maintain a competitive edge in the market?

In times of dynamic digitization in every sphere of life, of course the biggest focus of Kuehne+Nagel is to digitize all internal processes in order to provide a more efficient, faster and better service. It is also a top priority to provide customers with accurate information and traceability of their shipments at any time, literally from any point in the world. For this purpose, our myKN platform is constantly upgraded with new functionalities, the most valuable of which is the so-called Geofencing option, which has completed its test phase and is already in use for some of our customers in the Truck Department. In the sea transport department, on the other hand, the SeaExplorer tool allows companies to decide for themselves which container transport they will choose: the cheapest, the one with the most stable transit times, or the one with the least CO₂ emissions, all based on Business Intelligence (BI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) which of course increasingly play a key role in our activity...

How do you see the development of Kuehne+Nagel in the next few years?

The future of a company is a fascinating and dynamic topic...

The pandemic highlighted the importance of companies' ability to adapt, unplanned and in a short period of time. Being resilient means weathering storms, embracing change, and finding new sources of growth. Companies that can quickly adapt their strategies, internal capabilities and operations are better positioned for an uncertain future.

Leading companies explore new technologies, develop long-term partnerships and exploit technological opportunities.

In a world where all aspects are rapidly digitized, focused learning and use of new tools makes a qualitative difference to companies. The future is shaped by how well companies adapt, innovate and build flexibility. As the world remains uncertain, being prepared for the future is not just a strategic choice – it's a necessity.

Kuehne+Nagel, above all, will remain a reliable partner of clients and their business, offering them the best logistics solution....

Our vision is to become the most trusted supply chain partner of our clients, with whom they will build a successful business together, supporting a sustainable future...