K+N flies high as first-quarter air freight volume surges

Switzerland-based forwarder and logistics services provider Kuehne + Nagel reported first-quarter 2018 net income up 11.5% y-o-y to US$191 million, as gross profit (what some forwarders call net revenue) rose 11.8% to $1.92 billion. Operating income (EBIT) for the quarter was up 12.9% to $245 million. All three of the company’s forwarding divisions (Airfreight, Seafreight, […]

• David Harris
• April 25, 2018

Chengdu launches air cargo development scheme

With air freight demand expected to soar across west and central China, cargo carriers and forwarders have a choice when it comes to selecting sites to develop their regional hubs. Although geography and infrastructure are among the top considerations, government subsidies and preferential policies are two factors which absolutely must be considered in China’s case. Many […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 20, 2017

Expeditors 1Q17: Volume and revenue rise as net income drops

Although Expeditors International of Washington, Inc., transported significantly more air and ocean freight during 1Q17, compared to 1Q16, Expeditors’ operating margin (operating income as a percentage of net revenue) fell below the company’s 30% benchmark, to 28%. Of course, most companies would kill for a 28% margin, but for Expeditors, falling below 30% is a […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 2, 2017

Record second-quarter results for DP-DHL

Deutsche Post-DHL reported second-quarter net income up 66.0% y-o-y to €541 million, a sound indicator the company’s restructuring plans are beginning to have the desired effect. Total revenue declined 3.5% to €14.19 billion (see chart at right). Operating profit (EBIT) for the quarter was up 40.0% to €752 million. For the first half of 2016 […]

• Charles Kauffman
• August 4, 2016

Strong gains in package volume for UPS

UPS reported second-quarter net income up 3.2% y-o-y, to $1.27 billion, as total revenue rose 3.8% to $14.63 billion, driven by the strong operational performance of its air units. With the exception of Domestic Deferred Air, average daily package volumes were up for all products in both the US Domestic and International reporting segments, led […]

• Charles Kauffman
• August 1, 2016

Air freight yield recovery on the horizon?

Netherlands-based WorldACD has released its May report on worldwide air cargo demand (measured by chargeable weight), and to no surprise global demand was nearly flat, up 0.5% y-o-y in May (see the chart, below). True, global-trade growth is still less than burgeoning, but there was some indication that yields are beginning to bottom out, and even […]

• Charles Kauffman
• July 1, 2016

DFW’s new cargo strategy paying off

Smack in the heart of Shanghai’s former French Concession, at the crossroads of Wulumuqi Road and Wuyuan Road, lies an unassuming store fronting a large sign that reads, “Avocado Lady.” Curious visitors to Shanghai are often intrigued by the shop’s name, and venture inside to see if there is indeed a lady offering avocados for […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 29, 2016