Kuehne + Nagel plans India launch of KN PharmaChain in June

KN PharmaChain, Kuehne + Nagel’s new, dedicated, end-to-end supply chain solution for pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments, is scheduled for a June roll out in the India market. The solution which was introduced by the Group in end-March, marked the Group as the first to introduce active wireless sensors for airfreight real-time temperature control across the company’s global network, for both temperature or non-temperature controlled.pharma and healthcare shipments. India is tipped to be one of the key markets for this new product launch.

The use of active wireless sensors is a major achievement in the segment of seamless airfreight cold chains for pharma products. Generally, security rules prohibit the active use of mobile sensors during the air transport. However, together with a number of airline partners, Kuehne + Nagel thoroughly tested low-emission devices which can stay active during the flight so that the temperature is being constantly measured and reported practically in real-time. With this offering the Group set new standards in the handling of pharmceutical products.

With a clear focus on providing IT-based supply chain management services, the Kuehne + Nagel Group has more than 63,000 employees at 1,000 locations in more than 100 countries, and is one of the world’s leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics and overland businesses. The Group currently has over 58 GxP compliant facilities including CoolZones with separate +2°C to +8°C and +15°C to +25°C temperature zones.

KN PharmaChain is being billed as the practical choice for all critical general cargo, as well as ambient and temperature controlled pharma and healthcare shipments. Kuehne + Nagel’s standards of care include a comprehensive GxP policy that addresses requirements and establishes guidelines for their facilities that store, handle and distribute pharma and healthcare shipments.

KN PharmaChain offers four distinct levels of service that cover general cargo, temperature controlled passive, and temperature controlled active shipments. Each of these service levels is supported by a product/lane specific standard operation procedure (SOP) that defines each milestone and the expected execution date. Visibility is provided by the KN Login application, enabling customers to view not only the milestones but the temperature and voltage levels of an active package shipment at designated milestones.

Once the Kuehne + Nagel team takes control of a shipment, their global Care Team begins the monitoring process to ensure the shipments remain within the temperature requirements and that all expected milestones are achieved. This monitoring includes recording of active temperature controlled equipment and any proactive measures that are required such as, but not limited to, the addition of dry ice or the changing of batteries in the container.

In the unlikely event of a supply chain disruption (e.g. flight cancellation, delays, improper handling, etc.) contingency measures previously defined and outlined in the SOP are immediately executed to minimise any disruption within the supply chain, and/or temperature deviations. These contingencies can range from moving the shipment to another flight, re-icing, cool zone storage, etc. while automatically notifying all predefined stakeholders of the issue and explaining the action taken to resolve it.

Kuehne + Nagel started India operations in 1987. Today, it ranks among the market leaders with an extensive network covering 41 locations and more than 1,400 logistics specialists in the country. Total warehousing capacity under management exceeds 170,000 sqm.

In order to maximise on growth opportunities, Kuehne + Nagel is continuously expanding its reach and coverage in the country. In 2012, the logistics provider plans to open at least 15 offices, enabling it to further increase its presence to 56 locations in India.

Kuehne + Nagel has been providing best-in-class integrated logistics. In addition to dynamically increasing its sea- and airfreight capabilities, the company has been expanding its product portfolio by incorporating contract and lead logistics as well as value added services such as customs and insurance brokerage.

To serve the manifold requirements of its customers, industry-specific concepts have been introduced recently. This includes tailor-made solutions for the automotive, FMCG and retail, high tech, industrial and chemical goods as well as pharma and healthcare markets.

Kuehne + Nagel also specialises in several niche sectors, providing aviation logistics, hotel and marine logistics, emergency and relief logistics, fairs and exhibitions logistics, oil and gas logistics, perishables logistics as well as project transport management.

Kuehne + Nagel is considered one of the most reputable logistics companies in India. It has been named “Best Logistics Services Provider – Seafreight” and ‘Best Freight Forwarder of the Year”.

KN PharmaChain Air comes in four shipment levels:

• L1 = Shipment without special temperature and handling requirements
• L2 = Temperature range specific passive shipment without temperature controlled handling and transportation
• L3 = Temperature range specific passive shipment with temperature controlled handling and transportation
• L4 = Temperature controlled shipment using active packaging.

EP NEWS BUREAU – Mumbai