Swiss forwarding giant Kuehne + Nagel and British American Tobacco (BAT) have extended their collaboration with the implementation of a new global integrated logistics solution.

The concept widens the scope of activity carried out by Kuehne + Nagel for BAT and sees the two organisations collaborate further to drive innovation in BAT's existing supply chain, according to a K+N statement.

The new Global Marine and Air Logistics Service Centre (GMALSC) concept integrates all of BAT's global air and sea freight flows into a single logistics control tower structure.

In contrast to previous commodity-specific and geography-specific models operated by Kuehne + Nagel, which dealt with BAT's Global Leaf Pool and Asia-Pacific requirements independently, GMALSC now facilitates end-to-end supply chain management across all commodities, inbound and outbound, via one information platform worldwide.

This platform enables full visibility of product moves at all stages, supporting better decision-making for BAT. Standardised global processes are combined with local knowledge through K+N's global air and sea network to enhance efficiency.

Said BAT supply chain chief Dave Anderson: "The service provided by Kuehne + Nagel is now fully integrated into our target operating model, providing increased efficiency and flexibility."

Said Kuehne + Nagel integrated logistics chief Tobias Jerschke: "The market in which BAT operates is changing rapidly. Through our close partnership and the further development of Kuehne + Nagel's control tower, BAT can respond quickly to new challenges."

British American Tobacco is a global company with brands sold in more than 200 markets. It employs 57,000 worldwide. BAT has leadership in more than 60 markets.

Kuehne + Nagel employs 63,000 at more than 1.000 locations in 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world's leading logistics companies.