Kuehne + Nagel has expanded its global perishables network with the acquisition of CFI (Commodity Forwarders Inc) an airfreight forwarder of perishables products in the US, and Trillvane Ltd, one of the largest perishables specialists in Kenya.

These it says will add more than 150,000 tonnes of perishables to the forwarder’s perishables network and further “strengthens its position in providing end-to-end international and domestic fresh chain solutions”.

CFI was established in 1974 by Alfred Kuehlewind as one-man office in Los Angeles shipping strawberries to Europe, and now operates 14 locations throughout the US including Alaska and Hawaii with more than 700 employees.

The company is specialised in airfreight export and import as well as distribution of seafood, all kinds of agricultural products, flowers and greens.

CFI founder and chief executive officer, Alfred Kuehlewind says: “We are looking forward to become part of the Kuehne + Nagel Group. The planned transaction will offer us new growth perspectives and access to a global logistics network. Both companies’ customers will benefit from an extended service scope.”

The acquisition of Trillvane Ltd will enable Kuehne + Nagel to strengthen its position in perishables operations between Kenya and Europe, in particular to the UK.

The company has 130 employees and is specialised in the export of flowers and vegetables and is located at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

Kuehne + Nagel member of the management board responsible for airfreight logistics, Yngve Ruud says: “The two acquisitions mark another important step in our global perishable logistics strategy. These two transactions further strengthen and expand our fresh chain network connecting key production countries to major consumer markets.

“The business potential in the steadily growing global perishable sector is huge. Based on our dedicated network – by now the largest in the logistics industry for perishables – and globally integrated IT systems we can scale business opportunities and accelerate our growth in this sector with end-to-end transparency.

“At the same time, we improve our global and national positioning in airfreight. Together with CFI Kuehne + Nagel becomes the number two airfreight forwarder in the US and the acquisition of Trillvane confirms our leading position in Kenya.”

Kuehne + Nagel says all parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price and both transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and clearance by the merger control authorities.