Kuehne + Nagel partners with the Irish Dairy Board to support its global expansion

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The Irish Dairy Board (IDB), which already supplies international market leading brands of butter and cheeses such as Kerrygold, Dubliner Cheese and Pilgrim’s Choice to over 90 countries is preparing for expansion from 2015. The abolition of EU milk quotas the same year will see the Group significantly increase its production, and it plans to take its leading products to new markets around the world.

To support this expansion strategy, Kuehne + Nagel will provide a logistics solution to the IDB that is both global and flexible enough to handle the forecasted increase in product volumes, as well as maintaining the highest standards of quality control for food handling.

Fran Dodd, Purchasing Manager at IDB said: “As a customer focused export business we need to know that our route to market is secure and that we deliver a best in class logistics service to our customers.

“We need to be certain that our products will arrive with our customers in the same premium quality as when they left our door. As we continue to grow our business and open new markets for Irish dairy products, we are confident that our partnership with Kuehne + Nagel will help us deliver our iconic brands and dairy ingredients, to all our customers, old and new.”

Under a new three-year agreement, K+ N will manage global transportation operations, including distribution of IDB products by deep-sea freight with global planning, visibility and measurement tools provided by KN Login, the logistics provider’s web-based IT platform. In addition, continuous improvement projects will ensure optimum supply chain performance.

Pamela Doyle, National Manager for K + N Ireland, commented: “The need to be globally competitive is felt as much by Irish exporters as any in Europe. Improved supply chain efficiency and speed to market are critical advantages that Kuehne + Nagel can help provide to the IDB at this exciting time of growth.”

The IDB, who has annualised sales in the region of €2 billion with headquarters in Dublin, employs some 3,100 people globally.