Schindellegi / CH , March 03, 2014 - The globally operating Kuehne + Nagel Group is back on the road to profitable growth and has increased operational EBIT by 9 per cent. At CHF 20,929 million, turnover was slightly higher in 2013 than in the previous year, while gross profit improved by 2.7 per cent to CHF 6,257 million. The operational result (EBITDA) increased by 4.6 per cent to CHF 962 million. Net earnings improved to CHF 607 million. For the 2013 business year, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend increase to CHF 3.85 per share as well as the payment of an extraordinary dividend of CHF 2.00 per share.
Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO, commented: "In 2013, the Kuehne + Nagel Group fully concentrated on profitable growth. Through organisational adjustments, streamlined cost structures and a clear focus on margin improvements we achieved the goals we had set ourselves. I would like to emphasise the excellent performance in airfreight and the strong improvement of results in contract logistics. By concentrating on selective growth in seafreight, we succeeded in keeping margins stable despite high volatility of rates. The implementation of the new overland strategy also led to an improvement in profitability. Our 2013 results confirm the strength of our business model, the efficiency of our focused approach, and the value our solutions offer to customers."