K+N enters strategic partnership with Chinese pharma firm Jointown
24 / 02 / 2021
Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) has entered into a strategic partnership with China’s largest non-state-owned pharma distribution company, Jointown.
The move comes as the process of K+N’s acquisition of freight forwarder Apex moves forward, as it seeks to expand in Asia.
The Apex deal is the largest acquisition in K+N’s history and will make the company the largest forwarder in the airfreight market, surpassing current market leader DHL Global Forwarding.
Meanwhile, K+N’s partnership with Jointown will strengthen its pharma handling and distribution capabilities in China and other parts of the world, as the global distribution of coronavirus vaccines continues.
Through the partnership, K+N will have access to Jointown’s GxP-compliant pharma network and storage facilities, enabling compliance with China’s “highly-regulated” pharma and healthcare sector.
Siewloong Wong, President of Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific, commented: “We are pleased to be partnering with Jointown. Our cooperation perfectly meets the demands of our global clientele by enabling seamless supply chain coverage connecting China. This will enable us to accelerate our growth in the pharma and healthcare sector in China.”
Zhang Qingsong, general manager of the logistics business unit of Jointown Pharmaceutical Group, added: “Partnering with K+N will provide Jointown’s customers access to the international market through their global GxP certified air, sea and overseas contract logistics operations. We will now be able to expand our business in overseas markets at a much faster pace and benefit from the partnership in a sustainable way.”
Gianfranco Sgro, member of the management board at K+N, and responsible for contract logistics, said: “Pharma and healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors in contract logistics. K+N and Jointown share a common vision of service excellence for patients and customers in China and abroad.”
