Kuehne + Nagel is to take over three South American freight companies as it seeks to acquire a bigger stake in the global flower export market.

The international freight giant has entered into an agreement to take over two Colombian companies, Translago S.A.S and Agencia de Aduanas Excelsia Ltd and Ecuadorian shipper Mastertransport SA.

Translago and Agencia de Aduanas Excelsia are leading flower exporters to destinations in the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific, while Mastertransport  holds a leading position in Ecuador. Through their acquisition, Kuehne + Nagel has taken over what it estimates is an extra 75,000 tonnes of export perishables per annum.

"By combining the newly acquired companies with our existing operations, we are achieving the leading position in the South American perishables segment," says Karl Gernandt, executive vice chairman, Kuehne + Nagel International AG.

"This represents a further step in implementing our global strategy and will strengthen our position in one of the world's key growth regions," he added.

Image courtesy of Kuehne + Nagel.