Kühne+Nagel: over 2,000 jobs at risk and impact also in Ticino (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

The logistics giant is reducing its workforce more than expected: 2,000 global jobs cut, with repercussions on the Ticino labor market and cross-border workers.

Contesto

TL;DR - Kühne+Nagel to cut 2,000 jobs worldwide by 2026 - Impact on Ticino's labor market, especially cross-border workers - Company aims for 150 million francs in operational savings ## Key facts - Company: Kühne+Nagel - Job cuts: 2,000 jobs worldwide - Current employees: 80,000 full-time equivalent employees as of end of 2025 - Savings target: 150 million francs in operational savings - Impacted region: Canton of Ticino, Switzerland - Key border crossings: Brogeda and Gaggiolo - Affected municipalities: Chiasso, Mendrisio, and Lugano - Legal deadline: Swiss labor law updated by 2026 Kühne+Nagel, a global leader in the logistics sector with headquarters in Schindellegi (SZ), has announced a restructuring plan that includes the reduction of over 2,000 jobs worldwide. This figure far exceeds the initial estimate of job cuts, which was between 1,000 and 1,500 full-time positions. As of the end of 2025, the company had approximately 80,000 full-time equivalent employees, so the reduction represents a significant cut in the workforce. The group justified this decision by the need to increase efficiency and generate greater savings, aiming for operational economies of 150 million francs, exceeding the previously expected 110 million. The overall cost reduction target remains fixed at 200 million francs. The impact on the Canton of Ticino should not be underestimated, given the presence of numerous employees working in the region and the role of logistics as a key sector for the local labor market, especially for cross-border workers from Lombardy and the province of Varese. In particular, the border crossings of Brogeda and Gaggiolo, critical points for transnational workers, may see a decrease in labor demand from Kühne+Nagel and related companies. The logistics sector...

Dettagli operativi

Kühne+Nagel's downsizing plan is part of a complex regulatory and market context, which requires many large-scale companies to review their personnel management strategies to respond to global economic volatility and cost pressures. Swiss labor law, updated by 2026, provides specific protections for employees and mandatory communication procedures in the event of collective redundancies, which the company is required to respect. In Ticino, the management of cross-border personnel adds further complexity. Cross-border workers, predominantly Italian, are subject to specific tax and social security rules, managed through bilateral agreements between Switzerland and Italy. Any reduction in jobs by Kühne+Nagel therefore also involves issues related to work permits, social insurance, and healthcare, which require careful planning by employers and cantonal authorities. From a practical point of view, the company will have to follow a series of mandatory steps: 1. Preventive information and consultation with worker representatives. 2. Official communication to cantonal authorities, particularly the Labor Office and DFE. 3. Management of the collective redundancy process according to the law, respecting timelines and selection criteria. 4. Offer of support and re-employment measures, in collaboration with institutions such as the Employment Center and employment agencies. 📊 Extraordinary costs related to redundancies and reorganization are expected to increase, but the company aims for a net operating savings balance of at least 150 million francs by the end of 2026. The situation requires continuous monitoring also at the cross-border level, involving Italian entities such as the Chambers of Commerce and employment services of the provinces of Como and Varese, which close...

Punti chiave

For cross-border workers and residents in Ticino involved in the logistics sector, Kühne+Nagel's downsizing plan raises many practical questions and concerns. How to navigate this delicate phase? Here are some useful tips to defend your rights and prepare for possible changes: - Keep track of official communications from the company and cantonal authorities. Information is crucial to knowing the timing and modalities of redundancies. - Check your employment contract and permit conditions, especially for cross-border workers with G or B permits. Any changes can affect your work position. - Use the counseling services offered by the Ticino Cantonal Labor Office and vocational guidance centers to assess re-employment opportunities. - Update your CV and consider training or retraining courses, also at institutions such as SUPSI and USI, which offer specific programs for the logistics and transport sector. - Consider opportunities in related sectors, such as supply chain management or the digital sector, to broaden employment possibilities. 💡 A valuable tool for cross-border workers is our salary calculator, which allows you to assess the impact of contractual changes on your net income, taking into account taxes, social contributions, and living costs in Switzerland and Italy. Monitoring of this situation by cantonal entities and industry associations is ongoing. The goal is to mitigate social effects and ensure adequate support for affected workers. The challenge for Ticino remains that of maintaining a balance between business competitiveness and labor protection, in a sector crucial to the economy and well-being of thousands of cross-border families.

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How many jobs will be cut worldwide by Kühne+Nagel?","a":"The multinational expects to reduce more than 2,000 jobs worldwide."},{"q":"What is the expected impact of Kühne+Nagel's restructuring plan on Italian cross-border commuters in the canton of Ticino?","a":"The impact could be significant, with a decrease in demand for labour, especially in the Brogeda and Gaggiolo crossings, affecting the municipalities of Chiasso, Mendrisio and Lugano."},{"q":"How does the collective redundancy procedure work for cross-border commuters in Ticino if I work for Kühne+Nagel?","a":"The procedure provides for an official communication from the company to the cantonal authorities (DFE) and to the workers' representatives within 30 days of the announcement of the cuts. For cross-border commuters, the selection must comply with objective criteria and the rights provided for by the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and Italy, including work permits and social insurance, are guaranteed."},{"q":"What are my rights as an Italian frontierer if I am fired by Kühne+Nagel in Ticino?","a":"You are entitled to a notice of at least 1-2 months (depending on the antity), to the liquidation of the holidays not enjoyed and to any dismissal allowances provided for by the contract or by the Swiss law. In addition, you can access the relocation services offered by the Canton Ticino and support measures for border guards."},{"q":"Can I request income support if I lose work from Kühne+Nagel in Ticino?","a":"Yes, you can apply to the Canton Ticino Labour Office for unemployment benefit (AD). As a fronter, you have the same rights as Swiss workers, but you have to comply with the requirements of contribution and register promptly at the employment center."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
How many jobs will be cut worldwide by Kühne+Nagel?
The multinational expects to reduce more than 2,000 jobs worldwide.
What is the expected impact of Kühne+Nagel's restructuring plan on Italian cross-border commuters in the canton of Ticino?
The impact could be significant, with a decrease in demand for labour, especially in the Brogeda and Gaggiolo crossings, affecting the municipalities of Chiasso, Mendrisio and Lugano.
How does the collective redundancy procedure work for cross-border commuters in Ticino if I work for Kühne+Nagel?
The procedure provides for an official communication from the company to the cantonal authorities (DFE) and to the workers' representatives within 30 days of the announcement of the cuts. For cross-border commuters, the selection must comply with objective criteria and the rights provided for by the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and Italy, including work permits and social insurance, are guaranteed.
What are my rights as an Italian frontierer if I am fired by Kühne+Nagel in Ticino?
You are entitled to a notice of at least 1-2 months (depending on the antity), to the liquidation of the holidays not enjoyed and to any dismissal allowances provided for by the contract or by the Swiss law. In addition, you can access the relocation services offered by the Canton Ticino and support measures for border guards.
Can I request income support if I lose work from Kühne+Nagel in Ticino?
Yes, you can apply to the Canton Ticino Labour Office for unemployment benefit (AD). As a fronter, you have the same rights as Swiss workers, but you have to comply with the requirements of contribution and register promptly at the employment center.

Related articles