Schindellegi / CH, April 14, 2015 - In the first three months of the year the Kuehne + Nagel Group improved earnings for the period by 2 per cent to CHF 153 million, while net turnover was flat and gross profit slightly declined pared with the previous year's period. Earnings for the period increased pared to the first quarter of 2014 despite the changed currency relation between the Swiss Franc and the Euro that negatively impacted the result by 7 per cent.


Seafreight

Due to the concentration on profitable business and the unexpected weakness of market volumes in the Asia-Europe trade lanes, container volumes slightly decreased in parison to the previous year's period (-0.7 per cent). However, Kuehne + Nagel succeeded to improve gross profit per TEU by 2.2 per cent as well as the conversion rate from 28.8 per cent in the previous year to 29.0 per cent. EBIT grew by 2.2 per cent.

Airfreight

Kuehne + Nagel had a very successful start into 2015 with a tonnage increase of 7 per cent pared to the previous year's period. The Group gained significant share of the strong European export business and - occasionally in contrast to the market trend - grew volumes in export activities from North America and Asia. The airfreight business from South America, the Middle East and Africa developed with the same volumes as in the previous year's period. The conversion rate improved from 28.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 to remarkable 30.8 per cent. EBIT increased by 9.7 per cent pared to the previous year.

Overland

The positive development of results continued although net turnover declined by 15.2 per cent due to the discontinuation of project business and lower rates as a result of declining diesel prices. EBIT, however, improved from CHF 3 milllion in the previous year's period to CHF 4 million due to business wins in the focused industry segments and strict management of operational costs.

Contract Logistics

The positive momentum in regard to new business wins extended into the first quarter of 2015, but slowed down due to volume reductions in existing businesses with major customers in Western Europe. The strong Swiss Franc disproportionally affected the turnover and gross profit development negatively. Structural changes and price negotiations with contract logistics customers in Western Europe as well as the built-up of resources for organic growth impacted the result negatively. EBIT decreased by CHF 9 million pared to previous year's period.

Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO of Kuehne + Nagel International AG: "The development of our results is remarkably positive, considering the decreasing import flows of goods to Europe due to the weakness of the Euro. In addition, the strong Swiss Franc negatively affected the result. We will pursue our strategy of profitable growth."

With over 63,000 employees at more than 1000 locations in over 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world's leading logistics panies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics and overland businesses, with a clear focus on providing IT-based integrated logistics solutions.Further information can be found at www.kuehne-nagel.

distributed by