Kuehne+Nagel Bolsters Schwalbe’s Expansion in Vietnam as Partnership Celebrates 10-Year Milestone
Kuehne+Nagel, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management, is supporting Schwalbe’s significant expansion in Vietnam, marking a decade of successful collaboration between the two companies. This strategic development underscores both organizations’ commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving global bicycle tyre market.
As part of this expansion, Schwalbe’s export distribution centre in Vietnam will grow to nearly 20,000 square meters, significantly increasing its capacity to meet rising international demand for high-quality bicycle tyres. The facility will continue to serve as a central hub for Schwalbe’s global operations, strengthening the company’s ability to deliver products efficiently across multiple continents.
Expanding Global Reach from Vietnam
Vietnam has become an increasingly important node in Schwalbe’s international supply chain. From this expanded distribution centre, Schwalbe products are shipped to 43 international markets, spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa. By increasing the centre’s capacity, Schwalbe can ensure faster delivery times, improve service levels, and respond more effectively to fluctuations in global demand.
This growth comes at a time when the global cycling market is experiencing heightened interest, fueled by trends in urban mobility, sustainability, and recreational cycling. Schwalbe’s tyre range, known for its durability and quality, is a key product in meeting these trends, and the expansion of its Vietnamese hub ensures that the company can maintain competitive lead times and support the growing international customer base.
Strengthening Local Impact and Employment
The expansion of Schwalbe’s export distribution centre is also expected to have a positive economic impact locally, creating new employment opportunities for Vietnamese talent. Roles are anticipated across warehouse operations, logistics planning, and supply chain management, offering career growth within a multinational operational environment.
By fostering local talent development, Schwalbe and Kuehne+Nagel are contributing to the sustainable growth of Vietnam’s logistics and industrial sectors. This alignment of business growth with local economic benefits illustrates how multinational companies can simultaneously expand their global footprint while promoting social and economic development in host countries.
A Decade of Partnership: Collaboration Driving Innovation
The partnership between Schwalbe and Kuehne+Nagel now spans 10 years, a testament to the trust, alignment, and shared vision that have characterized their collaboration. Over the past decade, Kuehne+Nagel has provided Schwalbe with comprehensive logistics and supply chain solutions, including warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, and international distribution services.
Bjoern Traemann, Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Vietnam, commented:
“We value our strong relationship with Schwalbe and look forward to continuing this partnership. This expansion demonstrates how collaboration drives innovation and enables us to meet global customer demands sustainably. I would like to thank the teams from both companies for making this partnership possible.”
Traemann’s remarks highlight the strategic importance of logistics partnerships in enabling companies like Schwalbe to achieve global scale. By leveraging Kuehne+Nagel’s expertise in international freight, customs management, and supply chain optimization, Schwalbe has been able to accelerate its expansion plans and maintain consistent service quality across continents.
Commitment to Sustainability
A key pillar of the Schwalbe-Kuehne+Nagel collaboration is a shared focus on sustainability. Both companies are aligned in their efforts to reduce environmental impact, implement energy-efficient warehouse operations, and optimize transportation routes. These measures contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of Schwalbe’s international logistics operations, supporting global efforts toward sustainable supply chain practices.
Vanessa Schulte, Schwalbe’s Head of Supply Chain Management, emphasized the importance of sustainability in the partnership:
“We are proud to celebrate 10 years of partnership with Kuehne+Nagel. Their expertise and commitment to sustainability have been vital to our success. Looking ahead, we are confident in achieving our goals with the continued excellence of our partnership.”
The expansion of the Vietnamese distribution centre incorporates environmentally friendly practices, including energy-efficient lighting, optimized storage systems, and lean handling processes designed to minimize waste and improve operational efficiency. Such initiatives align with both companies’ long-term strategic objectives of responsible growth and sustainable business operations.
Supporting Rising Global Demand
Schwalbe’s decision to expand its Vietnamese hub comes amid rapid growth in global bicycle demand, driven by rising interest in urban cycling, recreational biking, and eco-friendly transport solutions. The expansion ensures that Schwalbe can quickly scale operations to meet surging demand while maintaining product quality and delivery reliability.
The enhanced facility will enable Schwalbe to:
- Increase inventory throughput to meet seasonal and regional demand fluctuations.
- Improve international shipping efficiency, reducing lead times for distributors and retail partners.
- Enhance operational flexibility, allowing the company to respond to market dynamics in real-time.
The integration of Kuehne+Nagel’s logistics solutions ensures that Schwalbe can leverage best-in-class supply chain practices, including warehouse automation, advanced inventory tracking, and real-time order monitoring.
Vietnam: A Strategic Global Hub
Vietnam’s strategic geographic location in Southeast Asia makes it an ideal hub for Schwalbe’s Asia-Pacific and global export operations. The country offers excellent access to key international shipping routes, a skilled logistics workforce, and supportive government policies for industrial and export development.
By establishing a 20,000 sqm centre, Schwalbe not only strengthens its capacity in Asia but also enhances its ability to serve global markets efficiently. This expansion positions Vietnam as a critical node in Schwalbe’s worldwide logistics network, ensuring that products can be delivered to distributors and retailers in a timely and cost-effective manner.
The Future of Schwalbe-Kuehne+Nagel Collaboration
Looking ahead, the partnership is expected to continue driving innovation in supply chain management and logistics. Both companies are committed to scaling operations sustainably, embracing technology-enabled solutions, and maintaining high standards for customer service and product delivery.
The 10-year milestone also provides a platform for further collaboration in areas such as:
- Digital transformation, using data analytics and automation to optimize inventory, reduce waste, and improve delivery accuracy.
- Green logistics initiatives, including the use of alternative energy sources, eco-friendly packaging, and route optimization to reduce emissions.
- Workforce development, fostering skills in logistics, supply chain planning, and technology adoption for local employees.
By combining Schwalbe’s product expertise and Kuehne+Nagel’s global logistics capabilities, the partnership sets a benchmark for how international collaborations can enable sustainable and efficient global operations.
The expansion of Schwalbe’s export distribution centre in Vietnam represents a major milestone for both companies, reflecting a decade of successful collaboration, strategic planning, and sustainable growth. The facility’s increased capacity will enable Schwalbe to meet rising global demand for bicycle tyres, improve service levels across 43 international markets, and support local employment and economic development in Vietnam.
With Kuehne+Nagel’s continued support in logistics, supply chain management, and sustainability, Schwalbe is well-positioned to navigate global market opportunities, scale operations efficiently, and reinforce its position as a leading international bicycle tyre brand.
As the partnership moves into its next decade, the combination of innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence is expected to continue delivering value for both companies, their customers, and the communities in which they operate.
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