Continental extends inbound deal with Kerry Logistics

Kerry Logistics has secured a four-year extension to its contract with the tyre-making division of tier supplier Continental.

The third-party logistics provider’s division in Germany will handle international ocean freight export of tyres and provide logistics services for Continental’s procurement of raw materials to production sites worldwide, mainly from Asia.

Kerry Logistics’ German division has been working with Continental for more than 25 years in providing procurement operations for raw materials including rubber, carbon black and steel cord from Asian source countries including China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.

Kerry has 40 logistics professionals managing the transport of materials from Asia to western Europe. Continental’s tyre division has seen an increase of more than 10% in materials moved in recent years. The 3PL said it was now organising logistics solutions for Continental sites in 13 countries and managing transport services, as well as partly acting as customs broker. In addition, Kerry Logistics is now providing warehousing and distribution solutions in China and the United Arab Emirates.

“We are delighted to continue our cooperation with Kerry Logistics,” said Jorge Almeida, senior vice-president, rubber division purchasing and corporate indirect materials at Continental. “Kerry Logistics’ global network supports us in our growth strategy and expansion of our international business. The team in Bremen provides tailored solutions that meet our supply chain demands, leveraging our sourcing and export activities in multiple countries.”