THE
HUMAN FACTOR
AS A DIFFERENCE MAKER
Written by Mateo Rafael Tablado
Produced by Jassen Pintado
Interviewee Kevin Schoberth, General Manager for Dietrich Logistics in Mexico
Supply Chain
Dietrich Logistics’ operation in Mexico displays its strengths, standing out from global players and coming through in critical times
K
arl Heinz Dietrich International Logistics began operations in 1945 Germany as WWII came to an end. The
company started by transporting much needed goods from humanitarian aid, thus setting its core values, which prevail to this day in Dietrich locations across 23 countries through Europe, the Americas and Asia. In 1950, the parent company became a pioneer among shipping agencies by obtaining IATA (International Air Transport Association) certification,
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Dietrich Logistics
Supply Chain
and to this today it stands among
here, introducing ourselves directly
top volume export shippers from
to companies working in Mexico, and
Germany. The operations with the
we’ve already achieved this goal,”
most hired employees are the parent
explains Kevin Schoberth, CEO for
company and Rumania; in the former,
Dietrich Logistics in Mexico.
main services include air, sea and land shipping, break bulk cargo and
the dual education system in his
storage; the Rumanian operation
natal Germany, by achieving a
offers, among other services, pallet
diploma in Wholesale Trade, and
washing for the automotive industry
afterwards graduating in Pedagogy
and packaging for other sectors.
at the Friedrich–Alexander University
After some work for the
Erlangen–Nürnberg, where he also
pharmaceutical and automotive
earned an MBA and a master’s in
industries in Latin America, Dietrich
Industrial Economics.
first set foot in Mexico in 1999, and
Before arriving at Mexico to take
finally established its affiliate in 2009,
over the Dietrich Logistics office,
currently working from facilities
Schoberth worked for Ninz, the Italian
in Mexico City (offices and AICM
steel door manufacturer, where he
--the city’s International Airport),
gained valuable experience in the
Guadalajara and Queretaro. The
purchases and export departments,
Mexican operation became an IATA
getting ready for his upcoming role in
agent in 2015, enabling Dietrich
the logistics industry.
Logistics Mexico to obtain more
“Logistics is a very aggressive,
contracts without depending upon
hostile environment, it is hard
deals worked out by the parent
to remain at ease,” Schoberth
company in Germany.
commented.
“The goal was to create business
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Schoberth’s career started from
December 2020
Supply Chain
“The biggest potential is in our attention to clients, it’s an area we are locked into. This seems like it’s not a factor anymore, especially in large companies” - Kevin Schoberth, CEO for Dietrich Logistics in Mexico
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Dietrich Logistics
Supply Chain
FOCUS ON PERSONAL SERVICE AND CLIENT SUPPORT Price is one of the two mostdefinitive factors in logistics; nowadays, this factor answers to the need to remain within a competitive range among the industry. When activity is limited to volume analysis, delivery times and amounts, there’s not that much aside from seeking the most convenient option; but once the
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December 2020
process is in the hands of the human factor, not everyone steps up to the task as Dietrich does. There are always unforeseen events in logistics, too many factors fall in between taking something from A to B, and when any inconvenience arises, true pros stand out from the rest. “The biggest potential is in our attention to clients, it’s an area we
Supply Chain
L- R H a n n s U l r i c h D ietr ich and his son, Hanns Alexander D ietr ich, 2nd and 3 rd generation management fo r KH D ietr ich Logistics; and Kev i n Sch o b e r t h, CEO fo r D ietr ich Logistics in Mexico
are locked into. When problems arise,
PROCESS ACCELERATION
it’s always the human factor solving
Starting 2020, Dietrich operates
them; sadly, this seems like it’s not
in Mexico with the same system as
a factor anymore, especially in large
the parent company does, updating
companies,” the executive declared.
cloud-based data instantly, sharing
In recent years, Dietrich
real-time info about each shipment
commissioned a special task force
at a key’s stroke and accelerating
able to provide 24/7 support, reaching
processes when entering data for
out where automation and digital
each new shipment in the system,
resources can’t go.
viewable from the locations involved
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Dietrich Logistics
Supply Chain
First unit operated by D ietr ich, a donation from allied fo rces at the end of WWII
D ietr ich Log istics earned a reputation by stepping up dur ing emergencies
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December 2020
So un ps p tl ry u C C ch c iaói n
“Logistics is some kind of support for conducting business, not the business in itself; business only works out if our part in the equation is done correct”
- Kevin Schoberth, CEO for Dietrich Logistics in Mexico
and avoiding a never-ending
in specialized platforms
succession of emails, phone
like LinkedIn.
calls and text messages. The
Other interactions have also
new system can be set to allow
been digitized, such as the
clients to track their shipments.
company having taken part in
“This new system saves time,
the virtual expo organized by
allowing our staff to do the kind
CAMEXA (Mexican-German
of tasks that cannot be done
chamber of commerce
through technology, like taking
and industry) in July 2020,
phone calls, as well as taking
considering physical interaction
care of emergencies and critical
with prospect clients during
situations,” Schoberth explained. the global pandemic has not been possible. INCREASING DIGITAL PRESENCE Dietrich has recently invested in its online presence by upgrading its website and increasing social media activity
“We are now taking all of our virtual presence in Mexico by creating a plan we manage here, which will bring us plenty of benefits,” the executive pointed out.
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Dietrich Logistics
Supply Chain
KEY SUPPORT FROM PURVEYORS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERS The relationship between Dietrich Mexico and its suppliers rests on reliability and thorough communication, resulting in timely processes. Customs agents, warehouses and transport units, among others, are part of a reliable support network. “We work 100% on logistics coordination and we make the most of our business partners. During the last few years, we’ve established a reliable suppliers network regarding costs and delivery times,” Schoberth commented.
I ATA ce r t i f i ca t i o n s fo r D ietr ich and its b ranches wo r ldw ide keep the company atop the leading ai r freight shipping agencies
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December 2020
Supply Chain
REPUTATION SUPPORTED BY THE PARENT COMPANY’S BLESSING The relationship between the company’s
Dietrich’s global headquarters -which always contribute to sustain the workload-, the Mexican operation is already familiar
office in Mexico and the executive
with the domestic market, its capacity and
headquarters in Germany displays an
possible eventualities and variables, in a
important balance between following plans
way that it is tapped to create business
from the parent company and autonomy
opportunities.
to operate and increase the brand’s value. Europe provides operation guidelines and values which mix with what the staff in Mexico has to offer, delivering high quality service. As often as there are contract and tender arrangements with multinational companies from
PERSONNEL: A COMMITMENT TURNED INTO EFFORT AND FULFILLMENT The importance of the human factor has been underlined, boasting a very low turnover rate and employees with 7-plus years seniority, including a staff member who has been a part of the company since it opened for business in Mexico back in 1999.
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Dietrich Logistics
Supply Chain
“Opportunities arise from crisis or desperate situations” - Kevin Schoberth, CEO for Dietrich Logistics in Mexico
It’s worth noting that a
According to Dietrich’s
very important aspect in the
services portfolio, some
staff’s loyalty to Dietrich is
positions demand certain
the company’s perception of
abilities such as speaking
the cost/benefit relation of
different languages, knowledge
working arrangements such as
of tax laws, as well as requiring
outsourcing, determining it is
certifications for handling
more convenient for Dietrich to
dangerous items; the company
hire permanent employees with
not only provides the required
paid benefits, resulting in loyalty
trainings for employees
and a better performance not
designed for such matters, but
only to the company but also to
opens the training course for the
its clientele. This approach in the whole staff, benefitting individual relationship with its workforce
employees with the desire to
translates into a better
increase their expertise.
performance from workers feeling secure about their job.
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December 2020
Dietrich Logistics is supported by HR specialists able to detect
Supply Chain
prospect employees with an
providing support to employees who
adequate profile.
needed it, helping Dietrich in covering
“Logistics is some kind of support
every possible need to minimize any
for conducting business, not the
affectation suffered by company staff
business in itself; the client’s business
during the emergency.
only works out if our part in the
Visiting prospective and existing
equation is done correctly,” the
clients became virtual visits with the
executive declared.
use of digital resources. Most of the work during the
FACING COVID19 WITH A COMPLETE STAFF Consequences derived from the global pandemic hit Dietrich Logistics and found a rock-solid company properly prepared to face such a challenge. Even with a decreasing imports volume, the company’s foresight allowed it to retain all of its
pandemic has derived from emergencies and complex shipments, the kind of conditions that bring the best out of Dietrich. “Opportunities arise from crisis or desperate situations, and it’s about making the most out of it,” Schoberth emphasized.
personnel, which became subject to telecommuting as much as possible even before the local government’s order to quarantine; in fact, employees lacking any of the resources to
Ka r l H e i n z D i et r i c h Logistics cor porate headquar ters, in Ger many
work from home were furnished and enabled by the company to perform in the work from home modality. The psychology department in the HR area has fulfilled its role neatly in
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Dietrich Logistics
Skilled, specialized staf f tak ing ca re of eve r y deta i l i n the logistics industr y
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December 2020
Supply Chain
Supply Chain
WHAT’S NEXT? STABILITY AND NEW CLIENTS In spite of everything the pandemic implies, Dietrich Logistics closes 2020 in Mexico maintaining stability and its structure, controlling costs where possible. Keeping up stability is one of the main goals for 2021, a year bringing uncertainty in most sectors, a year which may result in a search for survival for many businesses.
FOUNDED:
According to Schoberth, maybe
1945
by mid-2021 the light at the end of the tunnel will shine, offering much needed ease and relief. “This year had already brought significant changes after the new system’s deployment. There are things to improve, new business relationships were accomplished and we could offer support in critical situations. We’ll benefit from all of
(in Germany)
1999
(in Mexico) INDUSTRY:
SUPPLY CHAIN WEBPAGE: WWW.DIETRICH-LOGISTIC.COM
this,” finalized Kevin Schoberth, CEO for Dietrich Logistics in Mexico.
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www.dietrich-logistic.com
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