Gebrüder Weiss Annual Report 2017 - English

60 2017 475 G WEIGHT MAX. CHARACTERS 106,713 PHOTOS TOT. 87 30 CHARTS TOT. 112 PAGES 60 TOPICS

 

THE GEBRÜDER WEISS ANNUAL REPORT

60 stories from our world.

Wolfgang Niessner, CEO GebrĂźder Weiss

Dear Readers, As planned I will be leaving my post as CEO at Gebrüder Weiss in a few short months – to enter retirement. I hope you understand that I would like to share some personal thoughts with you on this occasion, as well as passing comment on the financial year just ended.

The year 2017 was one marked by upheaval and transition. Despite posting all-time record high sales and an outstanding result, the prog­ ress was overshadowed by the tragic passing of our shareholder and Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board Dr. Sylvia Krieger-Einem. A truly outstanding individual, Dr. Krieger-Einem played a crucial role in our organi­zation’s positive evolution for decades. The summer of 2017 also saw Heidegunde and Paul Senger-Weiss stepping down from the ­Super­vi­sory Board following almost 50 years at Gebrüder Weiss – nearly four decades of which were spent in operational roles. Their achieve­ ments merit our greatest respect and utmost appreciation. There can be no doubt that our success today rests on the foundations that they laid. In its new composition, the Board has already clearly signaled its ­intention to continue to support the “orange way” in the same constructive fashion.

In a general sense, change has been the common thread since the start of 2017. The decision to end our alliance with Röhlig cleared the way for an ambitious growth strategy in our Air & Sea division. In ­Germany, Asia and the United States, the orange network was rapidly ­expanded and supplemented by selected partnerships, allowing the establishment of a high-quality global network within a very short ­timeframe. In addition to our Air & Sea services, we also offer logis­tics ­solutions in numerous global economic centers. The year 2017 also proved exceptional for our land transport division and logistics services.

New ­developments included the integration of D ­ TC / Nuremberg, a new generation at the helm in the company’s North and South regions, and an array of construction and process optimization projects. Boosted

by heightened B 2C demand, growth in the rapid ­parcel delivery segment has been continuous – with the DPD brand leading the way.

In every division, bottlenecks in both freight space and human resources caused enormous strain, but it is in these critical situations that our “orange spirit” proves its mettle. We divested part of our interest in inet-logistics but remain a shareholder in a strong group that provides software to the global transport and logistics market.

Digitalization may be a buzzword today, but we shouldn’t forget that the logistics industry entered the digital age some time ago.

That being said, its pace is definitely picking up. At Gebrüder Weiss, we are addressing this issue closely and at various levels, and identi­ fying the funds needed to maintain our customer links at the latest technological standards, to simplify communications and improve processes. We take these challenges seriously and are pursuing every avenue necessary to prevail in our market. In our perception, logistics is a “people business” and will r­ ­emain so for the foreseeable future.

For us, the human factor is at least as important as technology and infrastructure. In the 60 chapters of our Annual Report, we have spot­ lighted some of our focuses and special events from 2017 to afford you further insights into our activities. On that subject, there is every indication that we will again meet the targets we have set ourselves in 2018.

On January 1, 2019, after almost 15 years as its CEO, I will be handing over the group’s management to Wolfram Senger-Weiss.

A member of the Management Board since 2005, he has been pivotal in all our programs. Moreover, he is the President of the Austrian ­Association of Forwarding and Logistics and possesses all the qualities ­required to secure – along with his colleagues, – a sustainable place for this company among the world’s leading logistics providers.

With Peter Kloiber he has a very distinguished person at his side who can look back on two decades of management experience at ­Gebrüder Weiss, during which he set significant accents and provided essential impulses.

Sales – Gebrüder Weiss 2017 Logistics

28 % International land transport

25 %

15 %

Air & Sea

12 %

13 % Domestic transport

Parcel service 6 %

Customs/Other Consulting

Net sales in millions of euros 2017

1,546.0

2016

1,360.2

2015

1,280.1

2014

1,240.2

2013

1,182.8

2012

1,146.6

2011

1,065.6

2010

976.0

2009

830.2

2008

985.1

2007

948.6

Heinz Senger-­Weiss, likewise a Management Board member since 2005, ­­has driven a variety of projects with great energy. He will continue to devote special attention to the areas of Air & Sea and Sales, both of which are strategically pivotal for Gebrüder Weiss. Starting on January 1, 2019, Jürgen Bauer – currently Regional Manager East and a true professional with international leadership experience – will be joining the Management Board as COO Land Transport.

Gazing gratefully back at the past and confidently toward the ­future, those are my feelings as I bid farewell. I had the amazing good fortune of being able to grow in every phase of my career. I was surrounded by generous people who offered support, helped me put my ideas into practice, and gave me the space to evolve. People who forgave me for my shortcomings and gave me their trust and reas­surance.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those men and women, and above all to my wife who has stood by me every step of the way.

I wish all of you and Gebrüder Weiss the very best for the future!

Yours,

Wolfgang Niessner CEO, Gebrüder Weiss

GebrĂźder Weiss Management Board (left to right): Peter Kloiber, Heinz Senger-Weiss, Wolfram Senger-Weiss and Wolfgang Niessner (CEO )

D r. Sylvia Krieger-Einem September 19, 1948 – November 1, 2017

Dr. Sylvia Krieger-Einem, a shareholder and long-term Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Gebrüder Weiss, passed away last year. Holding various posts, she was a mainstay of the company over more than two decades and made a critical contribution to its ­success in the process.

“Beyond the key role that Dr. Krieger-Einem played at Gebrüder Weiss, she was a pillar of ­support and a ­valu­able advisor for me personally. I am profoundly ­saddened that our outstanding partnership came to such a ­premature end,” commented Wolfgang Niessner, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss. In deepest gratitude, the ­ share­holders, Supervisory Board, Management Board and ­employees of Gebrüder Weiss will always honor the ­memory of Dr. Krieger-Einem.

150 LOCATIONS IN 30 COUNTRIES

1,546

MILLION EUROS

NET SALES

470 MILLION EUROS GROSS PROFITABILITY

12.7 MILLION CONSIGNMENTS

BY LAND TRANSPORT

117,000 STANDARD CONTAINERS (TEU)

BY SEA

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Gebrüder Weiss 2017 in numbers Logistics World

58,000 METRIC TONS OF AIR FREIGHT

SOME

7,000

EMPLOYEES SPEAK

24

LANGUAGES.

DPD AUSTRIA DELIVERED SOME

46.5 MILLION PARCELS.

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Land Transport Germany Turkmenistan Kazakhstan Silk Road

The Silk Road starts in Germany Waldner pleased with the orange network and Silk Road experience

“Gebrüder

Weiss offers a single contact point for all of our transport requirements.

That includes communicating with all of the parties involved, something that can become very complicated in places like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.”

FLORIAN WILD, DISPATCH MANAGER AT WALDNER ­L ABOREINRICHTUNGEN

Since 1997 Astana has been the capital of Kazakhstan.

3 1

2

4

Astana 5

Memmingen 6

7

1 5

Germany 2 Poland 3 Belarus 4 Russia Kazakhstan 6 Uzbekistan 7 Turkmenistan

Trade is flourishing between Western Europe and the countries along the old and new Silk Road. Petroleum, textiles and clothing number among the key European imports, while the main exports are machinery, car components and electronics. In 1990, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Gebrüder Weiss initiated activities in Eastern Europe, and has since extended its network eastward along the Silk Road. Today the Gebrüder Weiss East plus team provides services to customers exporting to the CIS countries, the Middle East and Iran. But where does the ancient trading route begin today? In Oman’s capital Muscat? At the border between Europe and Asia in Istanbul? Or maybe even in the Allgäu ­region of Southern Germany? There, the traditional laboratory equipment manufacturer Waldner maintains its head offices. And since 2016, ­Gebrüder Weiss has been shipping laboratory equipment for this long-standing regional company overland as far as Kazakhstan and ­Turkmenistan.

Last year, for example, the Gebrüder Weiss branch in Memmingen ­de­livered 26 loads for Waldner to the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat – ­trav­eling overland via Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan and ­Uzbekistan. A further 56 loads were dispatched along the route as far as Astana in Kazakhstan.t• Depending on the weather, the journey takes between 14 and 17 days. The length of the route, dealings with the ­authorities, and the linguistic and cultural differences make this type of ­service ­extremely challenging. “Our experience with multimodal transport in countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia stands us in good stead,” says Dieter Buchinger, Manager of Gebrüder Weiss East plus.

The new groupage freight tour from Memmingen to Moscow ­benefits from this expertise as well. Launched at the end of 2017, it adds ­another string to the bow of the company’s locations in Switzerland, Austria and Southern Germany.

•People from every part of the planet visited ­Astana in 2017. From June to September the Kazakh capital hosted EXPO 2017, marking the

first time the World Fair had been held in central Asia. The event also commemorated the 150th anniversary of the second EXPO in Paris, which established the framework for all future World Fairs. Dubai will be staging the next EXPO in 2020.

Always on track for success A decade of Orange Combi Cargo The surge in rail cargo services is being driven by factors such as fairer competition, higher energy prices and a growing demand for environmentally compatible transport solutions.

Since 2008 Gebrßder Weiss has been partnering with the Rail Cargo Group to operate the Orange Combi Cargo (OCC), the first privately-­ owned block train in Austrian multimodal transport. The service has been progressively expanded since then. Today two such trains travel daily from Western to Eastern Austria and back, offering an environ-

On its journey across Austria, the OCC train serves the Gebrüder Weiss terminals in Bludenz and Hall / Tyrol (pictured on the left) along with the mainline stations Wels and Vienna South.

mentally friendly alternative to road transport. Effectively replacing 22,000 truck runs, this reduces CO2 emissions by 11,000 metric tons annually. Trucks are only used on the first and final miles of the delivery route.

By synergizing the strengths of these two types of transport, a platform is being created for optimized solutions.

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Land Transport Austria Multimodal Transport

•When it comes to rail freight, Austria ranks among the EU’s leading countries. In 2016, 2,347 metric tons per kilometer and per capita were moved; only the three ­Baltic States transported more. The EU average was 789 metric tons.

Independence exists where an unencumbered mind encounters the ­opportunity of an unencumbered decision. ­Responsibility for our own actions only follows when we take those ­decisions.

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Values Employees

“Independence

is crucial to being able to act with confidence.

It gives you the freedom to unleash many of your aspirations.”

HANIS HASHEM, GW SINGAPORE

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Land Transport High-Tech Cooperation Germany Austria

“ Nothing beats a safe parking space.”

The Secure Truck Parking ­ initiative helps locate parking spaces where drivers can rest and recuperate Truck drivers sometimes struggle to find nighttime parking spots, a problem which is incidentally no stranger to the general population.

And the bottleneck is likely to worsen over the next few years: according to the German Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, freight traffic on Germany’s roads is due to increase approximately 40 percent by 2030.

To develop a solution, the technology company Bosch teamed up with Gebrüder Weiss in 2016 to launch its Secure Truck Parking initiative (see 2016 Annual Report). The pilot project, which Germany’s ADAC TruckService has now joined, has already evolved into an active online ­platform that is being well received by truckers. Companies with parking lots post free spaces and provide information on available services such as sanitary facilities or BBQ areas in proximity to the site. The areas are secured by a barrier at the entrance; access is gained using a pass booked in advance.

Tarek Kohler, who has been driving long-haul routes for Gebrüder Weiss for seven years, knows the importance of a good rest area at the end of a day: “You need to decompress somehow after hours behind the wheel, read a little, go to bed early, and then rest up so you feel fresh again in the morning. In that situation, nothing beats a secure parking space.” What’s more, customers can also sleep soundly – in the knowledge that their freight is safe.

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Land Transport Europe High-Tech

A sure thing Secure solutions in European land transport

Safety is inevitably a priority when it comes to high-tech equipment.

Cellphones, laptops and similar products are expensive and easy to offload, so securing them from theft is paramount. Despite efforts, the losses from transport-related crime in Europe are estimated at 30 billion euros a year.

For technology companies Gebrüder Weiss has created special security packages that are proving highly successful. On behalf of top names in the technology and telecommunications industries, it handled some 50,000 full loads with additional security requirements during 2017.

Specialists at Gebrüder Weiss discuss specific needs with customers and devise strategies that keep goods safe during transport. For the highest security level, the value of the merchandise is correlated with likely hazards to produce a dedicated risk analysis. Internal safety ­experts then examine the parking lots en route, and select those that offer well-lit, enclosed areas with surveillance cameras and access controls. Furthermore, Gebrüder Weiss offers customers specially equipped trucks that come with security locks, door sensors, GPS functionality, alarm systems and vetted drivers.

Gebrüder Weiss is also planning to expand its secure transport operations to other segments such as automotive components. Such services are in high demand in these areas as well.

“The

specific benefit for customers lies in our dif­fer­ entiated modules that range from Basic through Advanced to High Security. The choice of safety stan­ dards depends on the industry and the customer’s individual needs. That is why we’ve opted for modular solutions.”

JÜRGEN BAUER, DIRECTOR AND REGIONAL MANAGER EAST

HIGH-TECH TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN 2017

Shipments: 1,250,000 GW high-tech locations (TAPA -certified): 13

•

• The Transported Asset Protection Association TAPA is a Netherlands-based industrial associa-

tion devoted to protecting high-quality goods ­during production, transport and distribution. To this end it has developed a global standard that designates minimum safety requirements spanning the logistics and transport industry.

Secure parking spaces are not only important for customers and their loads. Drivers appreciate them too – as described in #6.

Ordered, delivered, assembled The market leader for home deliveries in Austria, ­ extended services in Central and Eastern Europe

What could be more convenient than doing your shopping from your own sofa? And ordering clothes, books, furniture and electronics – safe in the knowledge that they will be delivered to you in no time.

In today’s online world e-commerce sales are rising steadily. In 2017 total spending worldwide reached some 1.3 trillion euros, with forecasts for 2022 suggesting an increase to 2.1 trillion euros.

With its GW pro.line home services, Gebrüder Weiss retained its leadership of Austria’s home delivery market in 2017. The company offers a one-stop solution for orders that extends from procurement, distribution, noti­ fication of dispatch and installation through to returns management and even the disposal of packaging and old appliances. Other options – including on-time delivery, individually agreed slots, two-man handling and Track & Trace – testify to the service’s flexibility and dependability.

Central and Eastern European customers can also access GW pro.line home services now.

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Land Transport Austria Czech Republic Serbia Croatia Hungary Slovakia

On request, appliances can be installed and connected.

This tried-and-trusted package has proved similarly popular outside Austria. The company is expanding its end-consumer services in Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, also under the brand name GW pro.line home. “Our customers benefit from our many years of experience in last-mile delivery, coupled with the consistently high service standards we offer in both Austria and our new markets.

In the medium term we are planning to extend our operations further into Eastern Europe,� says Walter Konzett, the Director of Land Transport Product Management.

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Air & Sea Germany

Europe’s central hub Gebrüder Weiss expands Air & Sea coverage in Germany

Munich’s airport is one of the largest air cargo hubs in Europe.

Some 400,000 metric tons of freight were handled here

Germany is a key transhipment point in Europe, not only because of its central location, but also due to its excellent infrastructure and the high volume of foreign trade. Converging from all directions, the transport chains of global logistics providers intersect here; 4.3 billion metric tons of freight are forwarded along Germany’s roads, rails and waterways as well as through its airspace.* In 2017 Gebrüder Weiss expanded its air and sea freight network in ­Germany. Having opened locations in Hamburg, Frankfurt and ­Dusseldorf during the first half of the year, it established a Munich office adjacent to the city’s airport in the fall. There, customers can choose from an array of air and sea freight packages, local rail deliveries, ­e-commerce and logistics solutions, and customs services. Every day some 80 Gebrüder Weiss freight specialists coordinate transport services that span Germany’s air-, land- and seaways. *

German Ministry of Transport, December 2017

“Our

new locations in Germany, along with our presence in China and the United States, enable us to cover a significant portion of the global supply chain. One challenge we faced during the expansion was in finding the right personnel – after all, our work­ force grew from 46 to around 80 during the year. Top-quality personnel and service excellence number among our unique selling points at these new locations as well.”

HEINZ SENGER-WEISS, BOARD MEMBER AIR & SEA

Improved presence Gebrüder Weiss expands its land transport network in Southern Germany The federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are among Germany’s most economically dynamic regions. In other respects as well, life south of the so-called pretzel or veal-sausage equator• can be quite different to that in the states further north.

Gebrüder Weiss has traditionally been rooted in the areas of Germany, Switzerland and Austria adjacent to Lake Constance. And with its acquisition of the Nuremburg-based DTC (Deutsche Transport-Compagnie Erich Bogdan GmbH & Co. KG) at the start of 2017, it has further consolidated its presence in Southern Germany. “Our goal is to operate our own land transport services throughout the region,” explains Anton Hagg, Regional Manager Germany.

The dense network of branches in this key commercial zone can offer one-stop service for local customers. In total, 722 people are employed at the six locations, with Esslingen – which has a workforce of 250 – being the largest. Alongside domestic and international land transport solutions, the services these centers provide include regional storage and logistics solutions for the packaging and automotive industries and other sectors.

Needless to say, the company also provides comparable services in Northern Germany, where it works closely with longstanding partners.

Nuremberg

Rhine

•The “pretzel” or “vealsausage equator” is a humorous term used to describe the boundary between Southern German regions such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse and the rest of the country. The two culinary specialties can be found at bakeries and butcher’s shops south of this cultural border, but only rarely further north.

CzeCh republiC

germany

Esslingen FranCe

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Land Transport Germany Network

Danube

Aldingen

Passau

Memmingen

Lindau Lake Constance sWitzerland

austria

The six locations in Southern Germany

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Land Transport Austria

Gebrüder Weiss organizes urgently needed consignments and delivers them in Hilti trucks – creating an added confidence boost among the company’s end-customers.

On-time on-site Driving Hilti’s success Nothing matters more in the building trade: the materials and machinery needed on-site to keep a project on schedule. Fittings and mountings, for instance, are often required at short notice.

GEBRÜDER WEISS FOR HILTI

Business relationship: for more than 20 years, now across 25 countries Completed consignments in 2017: 555,000

In conjunction with Gebrüder Weiss, the construction component supplier Hilti launched Hilti Job-Site Delivery in November 2017. The service guarantees express delivery of its products to end-consumers in Greater Vienna, with anything requested by 4:00 p. m. arriving the following day. The orders are received by Hilti Leopoldsdorf outside Vienna and integrated into the Gebrüder Weiss network overnight. At 6:00 a. m. the following morning the consignments are exclusively assembled for Hilti and then loaded onto trucks for daily runs to the various sites. These trucks are equipped with Mobilkom scanners that enable real-time Track & Trace to keep the delivery process reliable and fully transparent. In addition to the certainty of never being short of a part, the end-customers – companies from across the building trades – appreciate the personal service ensured by efficient drivers.

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Land Transport Logistics Austria Sports

Zanier’s heated gloves keep hands warm for up to ten hours.

Hot stuff!

Gebrüder Weiss provides hands-on logistics to Zanier Tourism never really stops in the Austrian region of Tyrol. In the summer hikers frequent this Alpine paradise, while the winter sees skiers and snowboarders flocking to its slopes. There’s a brief lull in the fall that offers some respite to the tourism industry. But not at Gebrüder Weiss in Hall. As the logistics provider for Zanier Sport, the pace starts to pick up in the fall. The local, family-owned company manufactures sports gloves – including heated models since 1999. And, needless to say, these sell like hot cakes as winter nears.

GEBRÜDER WEISS FOR ZANIER

Broad selection: 4,000 different articles, 20 types of packaging

Large inventories: 150,000 pairs of gloves

at the just-in-time warehouse Number of parcels delivered in the high season (September to January): 8,500

Number of gloves picked in 2017: 300,000

The Gebrüder Weiss branch in Hall performs various services for Zanier within and beyond Europe, including procurement, warehousing, order picking and shipping. The team even conducts full quality controls during its high season between September and January.

And, thanks to Track & Trace, customers and recipients know exactly where their goods are.

Gebrüder Weiss Hall is Zanier’s single-source provider for transport, logistics and customs services. Since acquiring Spedition Keller, a forwarder specializing in relocations and event logistics, Gebrüder Weiss now offers a broad spectrum of services in the Tyrol region. The benefits for Zanier are not only financial, explains CEO Markus Zanier: “The corporate philosophies of Gebrüder Weiss and Zanier dovetail perfectly. The highest quality and the best service are paramount for both companies.”

# Click and pay

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Brands and Subsidiaries Austria Europe

DPDgroup presents online shopping study

Back in the early days of the internet, the first online stores were nothing more than lists and product photos which customers could reference to place their orders. Those were the days! Today’s webshops often offer a multimedia experience including 360° product imagery, detailed descriptions, videos and rating systems: features which make internet shopping increasingly popular. But who uses these vendors most frequently, and how? What factors influence users’ purchasing decisions?

Addressing questions like these, the parcel service DPD recently published the second edition of its E-Shopper Barometer. In this 2017 study, 24,871 consumers from 21 European countries were surveyed to determine their online shopping preferences. One of the findings was that Austrian consumers rank among Europe’s leaders: a full 13 percent of their purchases are concluded electronically. When it came to cross-­

PURCHASING INCENTIVES

24,871 consumers from 21 different European countries and Russia were interviewed about purchasing incentives.

88 % consider transparent pricing without hidden charges an important factor in online shopping.

1h

79 %

prefer to buy from websites that can guarantee delivery slots within a one-hour

24h

85 % prefer to buy from websites offering next-day delivery.

Always on the go: DPD Austria delivery vehicles

border trade, Latvia took first place: 82 percent of the respondents have made at least one purchase from a foreign online shop. The average for Europe is just 54 percent.

There are revealing differences between European countries when choosing payment and shipping methods. E-shoppers value having a broad spectrum of alternatives, allowing them to select what is best for them. The possibilities range from alternative delivery points such as parcel shops and retail stores to new shipping options including priority next-day delivery and real-time tracking.

DPD Austria, which is co-owned by the Gebrüder Weiss parcel ­service GWP, is benefiting from the surge in e-commerce. In 2017 it again posted an increase in consignments, delivering roughly three million more parcels than the year before. The company is also extreme­­ly well-positioned for cross-border online trade; roughly 45 percent of its sales are for export. Accordingly, DPD is easily the largest cross-border shipping provider in Austria. DPD Austria is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018; well prepared for the future, the company has good reason to celebrate.

Customs 4.0 Advanced solutions bring customs clearance to people’s homes Online shopping is continuing to boom worldwide. In Switzerland too e-commerce is flourishing, with sales from foreign websites surging.

The Swiss order their favorite wines online from French vintners and have them delivered straight to their doorsteps. The country’s standout purchasing power makes it an attractive market for wine vendors. Online shopping abroad can, however, pose one problem: customs clearance.•

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Logistics Solutions Switzerland Customs E-commerce

With digitalization evolving on a global scale, demand for electronic customs handling systems is growing. Often referred to as “Customs 4.0,” these provide integrated and innovative solutions.

For several years Gebrüder Weiss Switzerland has been offering customers an automated, electronic system for customs and returns handling. Digital interfaces collect the requisite customer data in advance, so that goods returned are automatically recognized and the customs authorities notified.

In future, the experts at Gebrüder Weiss are looking to enhance their digitalized customs handling still further, e. g. by developing a digital filing system for documentation. The word is spreading in Switzerland: anyone wanting wide-ranging customs expertise can find it at Gebrüder Weiss. “Customs officials frequently visit us to talk shop,” reports Günter Tritscher, Customs Department Manager at Gebrüder Weiss Switzerland.

•Many customs offices are facing ever-growing streams of customers, leaving their staff and facilities unable to cope. If online purchases do not clear customs, they are impounded. Recipients then need to show proof of purchase and open the goods in the presence of officials, as these are not authorized to do so. This is a source of frustration for all concerned, as customs offices – unlike online stores – are not open 24/7 and waiting times are exploding.

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Brands and Subsidiaries Austria

Fabric specialists Fashionet Austria celebrates its 20th anniversary The steam tunnel functions like a conveyor belt, with up to a thousand pieces of apparel passing through every hour.

One man’s meat is another man’s poison. The surge in online retail* isn’t necessarily good news for textile logistics providers whose main job is transporting hanging apparel. Moreover, their workload is subject to the whims of taste, and the goods being moved are often delicate and fragile. Thanks to the company’s experience and the solid infrastructure of its parent Gebrüder Weiss, Fashionet is responding well to industry demands. In 2017 Michael Jahn (Managing Director) and Karl Tordy (Product Manager) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the logistics and distribution network.

Happy to be guiding the fortunes of Fashionet Austria: Karl Tordy (left) and Michael Jahn.

There will always be room for textile logistics as a niche service: after all, fashion companies will continue to sell their collections in brick-and-mortar stores. Fashionet’s synergies with the courier service DPD Austria make it unique in what is already a relatively small market. In remote, rural areas DPD vehicles can deliver the textiles together with their regular parcels, ensuring that both companies make the most of their available capacity. Fashionet’s own fleet handles transportation inside urban areas. Moreover, it can also provide fast and reliable ancillary services such as cleaning, smoothing and labelling. Dealers appreciate this because it takes the strain off their staff – making it a win-win situation for everybody. * For more information see Chapter #8 and #13.

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Brands and Subsidiaries Austria IT

Sky-high technology Growing demand for cloud-based transport management systems Sophisticated logistics solutions are needed to create frictionless processes within value chains. And modern shipping and logistics companies need digital transport management systems to compete.

Demand for cloud-based solutions is growing in response to the complexities of modern production and supply chains – and increasing calls for real-time transparency from customers. Not least at the software company inet-logistics, which is based in the Austrian town of Dornbirn.

The shareholding secured by Castik Capital has increased inet’s potential for growth: the additional capital will allow the company to expand its capacities, standardize its products, drive innovations and reinforce its global presence. Gebrüder Weiss, formerly inet’s parent, is reducing its holding but staying on as a partner.

CLOUD COMPUTING

The cloud is one of information technology’s most enduring visions.

Cloud computing entails the creation of an IT ­infrastructure that contains computer net­works for storing, a ­ ccessing and publishing data. The first system that would match today’s definition of a Cloud went live back in 1995.

Basking in the sun: the inet-logistics team at a work party.

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Values Employees

“More

than striving to attain a standard, it’s the desire to stand out, to achieve a certain exclusivity – that’s what makes the tangible difference for me.”

JAN KODADA, GW CZECH REPUBLIC

Service Excellence qunder nilis ndeni debisAsmoloro viti disa pleasant sensation, tiumcontentment endantur,isut desirable asdebis a state dolos of mind. ducia But what stands out are perfeum fugit inctus the moments of enthumaiosiasm, corpore inturilo when passions are dolore utempos ell. aroused and expec tations surpassed. Intense experiences and encounters enrich and energize our lives.

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QIAGEN is one of the growing number of Gebrüder Weiss customers in the field of medical and biotechnology.

Intelligent technology – intelligent solutions QIAGEN and Gebrüder Weiss blaze new trails together The speedy exchange of knowledge and information is becoming ­ever-more important in today’s world. With the autonomous flow of goods fast becoming a reality, customers need digital systems they can depend on for production – and logistics processes that are seamlessly transparent.

To maintain its position at the cutting edge, the in-house High-Tech Cluster at Gebrüder Weiss is focusing on key topics such as digital trust, real-time visibility and the Internet of Things.

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Logistics solutions Switzerland High-Tech

These future-oriented technologies create the platform for customized “Ultimately, having the high-tech solutions. The portfolio extends from conventional shipping courage to think and procurement logistics and specialized safety strategies for transoutside the box not only port and warehousing through to technical distribution including the helps our customers. installation of (large) electrical appliances.

It also enables us to QIAGEN – a biotechnology provider headquartered near Dusselevolve and expand our dorf, Germany – offers a recent illustration of this trend. Since April service portfolio.”

2017 the Gebrüder Weiss branch in Altenrhein, Switzerland, has been MICHAEL TROMMER, MANAGER WAREHOUSING responsible for all of QIAGEN’s deliveries across Europe. It handles AND­ ­S OLUTIONS LOGISTICS ­S WITZERLAND these operations with maximum efficiency to simplify the customer’s experience. The logistics specialists not only transport the sample preparation and testing apparatus from the Netherlands, Singapore and United States to QIAGEN’s customers in Northern, Southern and Western Europe, but also manage customs clearance for these goods.

Moreover, Gebrüder Weiss offers a “white glove service,” i. e. technical installation of all the equipment at the destination site. Providing a one-stop solution that coordinates all of these logistics processes was the key requirement of this project.

QIAGEN

Provides sample preparation and testing technologies along with automation systems and bioinformatics software to glean useful information from biological samples.

These products are used in wide-ranging applications such as molecular diagnostics, ­academic research, pharmaceutical processes and applied test procedures.

The transported products are put to use in environments such as research and clinical laboratories.

Ensuring a disruption-free supply chain GebrĂźder Weiss clusters expertize in automotive logistics

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Logistics Automotive Germany Austria World

“Using our know-how and global network, we can coordinate these multifaceted logistics processes and get the goods to customers’ plants ‘just-in-time.’ ” ALEXANDER SLOVAK, CLUSTER MANAGER AUTOMOTIVE

Automobiles are assembled using some 10,000 individual components from several hundred different suppliers.

A modern motor vehicle is comprised of well over 10,000 individual components. This poses massive challenges for automotive manufacturers and their suppliers worldwide, particularly in light of today’s justin-time delivery standards. Production plants need the right parts at the right time. The fabrication of modular subassemblies is frequently outsourced, with suppliers taking full responsibility.

To meet these specialized requirements, Gebrüder Weiss has created the Competence Cluster Automotive, an in-house team that analyzes the specific needs of the industry and develops complete supply chain management solutions for manufacturers, suppliers and dealers.

Alongside traditional warehousing, procurement and distribution logistics with direct, just-in-time delivery, Gebrüder Weiss also offers solutions for in-house logistics and local freight forwarding for multicountry regions.

Like cutting-edge autonomous driving technologies, alternative-fuel vehicles running on electric, biogas or hydrogen power are generating closer interfaces between the automotive and high-tech industries. With its wide-ranging expertise, Gebrüder Weiss is in a position to synergize the logistics requirements of both sectors.

For the automotive supplier Magna Steyr, for example, automotive components from more than 400 different suppliers in Germany are delivered to its central manufacturing facility in Graz and four other plants in Styria. The demands placed on this groupage freight are high. On the one hand, there are fixed timelines; on the other, considerable flexibility is required to handle the fluctuating volumes. One minor flaw in the logistics chain can disrupt the entire manufacturing sequence. The global network and wealth of experience offered by Gebrüder Weiss deliver real benefits, as evidenced in the fact that more than 70 of its locations now serve automotive customers.

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21

Land Transport Austria High-Tech

Primed for efficiency Gebrüder Weiss pilot customer for Mercedes-Benz Uptime The responsible and economical use of energy and natural resources is essential for our survival. The ongoing trend toward digitalization may prove a boon by offering even more efficient methods of tapping existing infrastructures and technologies.

Predictive maintenance, which estimates more accurately when motor vehicles need servicing, is one such digitally assisted technology in the area of mobility and transport. It deploys state-of-the-art sensors to monitor the status of automotive components and electronic ­systems as well as wear and tear on consumables such as brake pads and tires. The data collected is analyzed and communicated to the driver along with notifications of any impending maintenance work. This ­en­ables repairs to be optimized and services to be scheduled between tours – ­reducing the risk of breakdowns and vehicle downtime.

Mercedes-Benz has now developed an intelligent status monitoring package of precisely this. Gebrüder Weiss agreed to pilot the new system – which is called Uptime – as part of the automaker’s test and improvement program. A total of 15 orange trucks in the Vorarlberg region have been equipped with the smart technology. The results to date show that the system operates dependably, saves time and money, and improves driver safety.

A number of orange trucks are being used to road-test Mercedes Uptime, an adaptive system for optimized vehicle utilization.

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22

Values Employees

“In my eyes, courage entails a willingness to embrace new challenges, adapt to changing demands and learn new skills – even after many years on the job.”

MICHAELA TESSADRI, GW WOLFURT

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23

Land Transport Czech Republic Branch Network

T he growing economy Gebrüder Weiss among those profiting from economic upturn in Czech Republic

The Czech economy is growing. The industrial share of the country’s GNP is substantial and big money is being made in the export sector.

The automotive industry in particular is posting high export volumes, and many top carmakers have established manufacturing plants here. The stable export business generates important impulses for the entire Czech economy, as a result of which demand has climbed in the retail sector.

However, this success gives rise to new challenges. Unemployment rates are the lowest anywhere in the EU, bringing not only a shortage of skilled labor but a lack of labor overall. These developments are a boon for the consumer sector where demand is expected to rise further, spurring on the country’s economic growth.

Gebrüder Weiss has also been impacted by these trends. Since successfully establishing a presence in this country in 1992, the Austrian logistics experts have posted continuous increases in sales. To keep pace with this growth, they recently further expanded their facilities at their Czech headquarters in Jeneč, a suburb of Prague. Last October three new ­ware­houses were built on an area of nearly 9,000 square meters, there­­by doubling total goods handling and logistics to a capacity of roughly 18,000 square meters. The additional space will further enhance services for customers in the domestic and international transport sectors.

Jeneč, one of the company’s nine Czech locations, offers customers a full palette of transport and logistics solutions, including specialized ­services for particularly fragile goods. As a result, its customer base ­includes many manufacturers in the high-tech sector. Gebrüder Weiss’ Czech branch complies with the strictest TAPA security standards and maintains its own ADR handling facility for hazardous substances.

The expansion means that the facility can now handle and store additional hazmat classes.

germany

poland

Jablonec nad Nisou

“ For 25 years Gebrüder Weiss Czech Republic has been a ­mainstay of the company’s Eastern European network.”

HARALD PROHASKA, COUNTRY MANAGER

Jeneč Pilsen

Prague

Hradec Králové

Říčany-Jažlovice Czech republic

České Budějovice

austria

Ostrava-Hrabová

Syrovice

slovakia

­C ZECH REPUBLIC Gebrüder Weiss offers a complete range of transport and logistics solutions from nine different locations in the Republic.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion project in Jeneč. From left to right: Harald Prohaska, Country Manager / Czech Republic, Reinhold Grasser, former Regional Manager North, and Karel Šindelář, the Jeneč Branch Manager.

Life goes on Approval for the EU has risen again since the Brexit referendum

The European Union – taken together with Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland – represents the world’s largest trading bloc.

Its formation during the 1990s generated significant economic growth, particularly in the EU’ peripheral countries. Ireland, for example, posted an increase from 2.5 percent to 9.5 percent by the end of the decade. ­Today, cross-border trade drives some 31 million export-related jobs across Europe, helping medium-sized companies access foreign markets, improving standards of living and spawning new employment oppor­ tunities. Yet despite this federalism, more nationalist trends and movements are also looming on the horizon.

In your view, is membership of the EU generally beneficial for your country?

(Percentage of positive answers)

Total Germany Spain Slovakia Sweden Netherlands France Italy Czech Republic

70 %

#

60 %

50 %

40 %

30 %

20 %

2015

2017

28 %

44 %

34 %

64 %

44 %

59 %

26 %

52 %

26 %

43 %

26 %

38 %

23 %

35 %

27 %

31 %

13 %

25 %

10 %

0

10 %

20 %

30 %

40 %

50 %

60 %

24

Trade Europe Politics

On June 23, 2016, some 52 percent of the United Kingdom’s electorate voted in favor of Brexit, marking a nadir in European support for the EU. But since then sentiment has improved, as a study conducted

by Ger­many’s Friedrich Ebert Foundation has shown. The survey ­covered ­residents from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Despite concerns about Brexit and its consequences, approval for the EU has risen, in some cases sharply.

61 percent of the survey’s respondents stated that they favored ­increased cooperation between the EU member states. While this positive mood is very gratifying, Europeans are not universally satisfied.

Some skepticism remains, with criticism of the economic and financial regime imposed by Brussels being voiced particularly in the southern member states. The management of refugees is also an issue for EU ­citizens. Yet in 2017 some 44 percent considered EU membership a ­benefit for their countries, up from 28 percent in 2015.

70 %

Gateway to global markets GebrĂźder Weiss on track for success in Romania

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25

Land Transport Air & Sea Romania Branch Network

When order intake is high, more warehousing space is required. From left to right: Horatiu Raduta (Facility Manager), Thomas Moser (Director and Regional Manager South-East/CIS), Viorel Leca (Country Manager), Martin Reinprecht (Real Estate, Facility and Construction) and Bogdan Feraru (Branch Manager Sibiu)

“Our

growth has been driven both by the Romanian team’s skill in developing its or­­ga­ni­zation and specialist seg­ment solutions, and the country’s growing links with central Europe.”

THOMAS MOSER, DIRECTOR AND REGIONAL MANAGER SOUTH-EAST/CIS

Left: Refrigerated transport services by Gebrüder Weiss Romania are in high demand in the food industry.

Successful companies grow, establish new locations, create jobs and win over new customers with practical solutions. As is the case with ­Gebrüder Weiss Romania.• Established as a forwarding agent with four employees in 1994, it is now a leading full-service pro­vider in the country’s logistics market. In 2017 it moved 605,442 con­ signments weighing one point two million metric tons, an increase of eleven ­percent over the previous year. “Along with our logistics ­solutions, land transport to Germany, A ­ ustria, France, Bulgaria and ­Hungary makes up much of our business today,” says Viorel Leca, ­Gebrüder Weiss’s Country ­Manager in R ­ omania. But the division’s Air & Sea ­operations are picking up the pace as well.

Since 2014 the volume of air and sea consignments has grown more than 25 percent annually, while 2017 saw a 50 percent increase in transported TEU’s compared to 2016. Reason enough for Gebrüder Weiss to create a local c­ ustomer-oriented organization: “We have expanded the air and sea resources of the entire Romanian organi­ zation and continued to build the workforce. Our customers in Romania profit from our access to the world’s most important destinations,” explains Michael Büchele, ­Regional Manager Air & Sea Europe. In the sea freight ­sector Gebrüder Weiss has already claimed third place in the country’s domestic market.

Gebrüder Weiss is also strategically important for Romania’s booming automotive industry. In 2017 the company’s national team dispatched 57,000 consignments weighing 125,800 metric tons.

Its Arad site alone has 100 employees working on complex automotive logistics. And its 2,500 square meter logistics area in Cluj recently expanded its cooperation with a major automotive company.

GEBRÜDER WEISS ROMANIA:

600 employees 11 locations

State-of-the-art warehouse with a cross-­ docking hub, opened in Sibiu in 2017 Approx. 50,000 m² of warehousing space Sea freight: four LCL consolidated shipments weekly between China / Hong Kong and Constanta in Romania Its main trading partners in the Air & Sea sector are based in central Asia, the United States and South America Key segments: auto­mo­ tive, telecommunications, FMCG , petroleum and natural gas

• Likely the most famous vampire story in history, Bram Stoker’s Dracula recently celebrated its 120th anniversary. The novel, published in 1897, was originally due to be set in Styria, but the author subsequently opted for Transylvania. He is said to have based his protagonist on the historic figure Vlad the Impaler (1431–1476), a particularly ruthless and bloodthirsty ruler. Ever since, Romania has been regarded as the homeland of vampires – and across the country, souvenir shops are armed to the fangs with vampire collectibles.

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26

Land Transport Georgia Deepwater ports Partnership

A new middle ground Georgia builds deepwater port

More and more transit countries are benefiting from the growing flow of trade between Europe and the Far East. As the only state in the South Caucasus on the Black Sea, Georgia gives central Asian countries access to the European market while offering an alternative to the northern land route between China and the EU. “Anaklia City” is a major infrastructural project aimed at modernizing maritime traffic along the Silk Road. By 2021 a logistics hub capable of handling more than 900,000 TEUs annually will have risen from the dust here, complete with an adjoining industrial park and special ­economic zone. Thanks to 16-meter-deep waters, container ships ­un­able to dock in the shallower ports can load and unload their cargo here, opening up new markets and spawning business opportunities.

Having established a hub in Tbilisi four years ago, Gebrüder Weiss will also benefit from being the Georgian-American project consortium’s logistics partner.

THE BLACK SEA

Coastal countries: ­ Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, R ­ ussia and Georgia Maximum water depth: 2,212 meters Area: 436,400 km2 Largest port: ­Constanta, Romania ( 100 million metric tons per annum) Why the “Black” Sea? The high concentration of iron sulfides in the sediment darkens the water

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27

bulgaria

black sea

Land Transport Air & Sea Turkey

Istanbul

aegean sea

turkey

Izmir

An optimistic future Gebrüder Weiss locations in Turkey

A constitutional referendum regarded as controversial abroad, the plunging Turkish lira and a rising high inflation rate combined to make 2017 a difficult year for Turkey. Despite this, Turkey’s Office of Statistics announced economic growth of 7.4 percent compared to the previous year.

“ We posted our highest increases in the areas of FTL, co-loading and intermodal last year.

Our goal for 2018 is crystal clear: to sustain our growth by offering attractive services and new routes.”

MIŞEL YAKOP, COUNTRY MANAGER TURKEY LAND TRANSPORT

The Gebrüder Weiss locations in Istanbul und Izmir are also post­ ing gains. Their volumes of land transport consignments are growing steadily, while the introduction of intermodal solutions and the ­on­going expansion of the orange partner network have generated an upswing and new customers. Working on this basis, Mişel Yakop (Country Manager Turkey / Land Transport) anticipates further growth in 2018. Among other things, the company will soon start ­operating direct departures from the Izmir site.

His colleague Avşar Dada is satisfied, too. Since June 2017 his depart­ment – Air & Sea Istanbul – has been transporting produce to ­Malaysia from Turkey’s largest fruit and vegetable exporter. In ad­ dition, Air & Sea Izmir has secured Scandinavia’s largest fish importer as a customer. The team is optimistic about the future. By setting ­itself ambitious targets, Gebrüder Weiss Turkey is aiming to become one of the country’s top 15 air freight forwarders and gain stronger footholds in the American and Australian markets.

Yerevan – Beckoning Armenians from afar, Mount Ararat is located in Turkey.

Good morning, Yerevan!

New representation office opens in Armenia

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28

Land Transport Armenia The Silk Road

Settled since the fourth millennium BC, Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest cities. Seized by an Arab army in 658 AD, it became an important junction on caravan routes between India and Europe. Yerevan is surrounded by mountains on three sides, among them Mount Ararat, a dor­ mant volcano that is Turkey’s highest peak and the national symbol of Armenia. According to biblical legend, Noah’s Ark became stranded there.

Today Armenia is a major junction and key transport hub on the Silk Road connecting Europe and Asia. The new Gebrüder Weiss represen­ tation office in Yerevan began operation in early April and officially opened the ­f­ollowing November.• In his address to the 150 guests at the opening ceremony, Alexander Kharlamov (Managing Director, ­Gebrüder Weiss Georgia and Armenia) lauded the region’s considerable

potential and explained how Gebrüder Weiss can help export-oriented companies enter the Armenian market.

Thanks to services provided by Gebrüder Weiss, the whole of ­Europe is now linked to Armenia via a range of gateways: it now operates a weekly groupage cargo service from Italy to Armenia, complementing this with twice-weekly deliveries from Vienna and the German city of Hanau via Tbilisi to ­Armenia. Its product portfolio extends from land transport through to air and sea freight. The logistics processes are ­managed at the Gebrüder Weiss Georgia hub in Tbilisi using its direct connection to ­Yerevan. ­

• Held in the Ukrainian city of Kiev in May, the 2017 Euro­ vision Song Contest provided additional grounds for celebration. Representing her country with the song Fly With Me, the Armenian artist Artsvik qualified for the finals and ­finished in 18th place – ahead of long-standing competitors such as Denmark, Germany, Greece and Spain.

ARMENIA

Armenia has been a member of the United Nations since 1992. Despite the country’s economic problems, its educational system is considered excellent, due in particular to substantial government spending on education.

The illiteracy rate has been negligible for years.

Official language: Armenian Capital: Yerevan Form of government: Parliamentary democracy Population: approx. 3 million Area: 29,800 km2 Population density: 98 inhabitants per km2

At the opening ceremony in Yerevan, from right to left: Thomas Moser (Director and Regional Manager South-East/CIS), Alexander Kharlamov (Managing Director Georgia and Armenia), Armine Bedvyan (Sales &Marketing Armenia), Anna Karapetyan (Operations Armenia) ­ and Siegfried Hauser (Business ­Development Region South-East / C IS).

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29

Armenia Commitment

As is so often the case in life, it was pure chance that brought the Armenian Anna Karapetyan to the world of soccer. At the time she didn’t ­really see it as the right sport for her. In fact, she didn’t even know that her country had a women’s league. But at the age of eleven she was ­discovered at a basketball practice session and invited to try her hand at soccer. Today Anna works as a land transport manager at the newly-­ opened Gebrüder Weiss location in Yerevan, Armenia.

“The

World Cup in Russia this summer could be exciting. I like the veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon – but Italy didn’t manage to qualify this time. I enjoy watching soccer from time to time but my preference has always been to play. Among the highlights of my career, I was the goalkeeper for Armenia’s national team and the Player of the Year in 2006. I also won the Cup with the Ukrai­ nian first division team WFC Naftokhimik and reached the final of the Russian Cup with WFC Kubancohka. After eleven years I needed a second knee operation and was forced to retire at the age of 22.

Building a career as a female soccer player in Armenia wasn’t easy. But the feeling of doing something I really loved motivated me to give my best. I never actually had a role model, although Hope Solo is a player who has impressed me. Occasionally I still play soccer today, but only for fun. I learned a lot from the sport: for example, the importance of assuming responsibility and practicing patience. In soccer I really like the team­­work and all the challenges that help players ma­ture, both individually and as a team. Looking back, I can say that my career as a goalkeeper has prepared me well for life.”

One umbrella brand for all: Gebrüder Weiss now operates exclusively under its own name in Asia

Hamburg and Rotterdam are indisputably major container ports.

But these European cities no longer rank among the world’s ten largest ­transhipment centers. For some time now, they have been eclipsed by their counterparts in Asia and above all China.* Gebrüder Weiss has expanded its service network accordingly, opening Air & Sea locations in Shenzhen and Hong Kong that boast the world’s third and fifth largest port facilities. In China alone, Gebrüder Weiss currently employs a workforce of 451 at 19 different sites strategically located close to the key logistics hubs. Yongquan Chen, the Country Manager at ­Gebrüder Weiss China, expects demand for logistics services to keep rising in the years to come. Along with air and sea freight, Gebrüder Weiss China offers customers a wide-ranging supplementary portfolio that ­includes local railway transport, e-commerce, logistics solutions and ­customs services. * For a list of the largest ports, see 59 #

“Demand

in the field of logistics will be enormous within China and beyond. Logistics is becoming increasingly digitalized, faster and more efficient. Import forwarding and e-commerce will undoubtedly experience the strongest sector growth.”

YONGQUAN CHEN, COUNTRY MANAGER CHINA

Top: The Singapore staff can operate their terminal as a customs warehouse too. Bottom: The Tokyo team, shown here, is one of our two locations in Japan that have a combined total of 31 employees.

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30

Air & Sea China Japan Singapore Vietnam

Having now adopted the new brand identity as well, the Gebrüder Weiss teams in Japan, Vietnam and Singapore are feeling confident about the future. Vietnam in particular serves an important function as a central staging post between other Gebrüder Weiss locations in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Located in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam location now offers comprehensive storage logistics solutions in addition to air and sea freight services.

The island state of Singapore is one of the world’s primary logistics hubs. And the Gebrüder Weiss team there is growing apace with the city. Having started out with six employees, it now has 20 – all of them preparing projects in the office or implementing them at the warehouse in close proximity to the port. Gebrüder Weiss Japan introduced warehousing services in late 2017 to complement the air and sea freight, heavy load transport, logistics solutions and customs services it offers to customers.

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31

Air & Sea Taiwan

Well-networked

In Taiwan too, Gebrüder Weiss trucks are always on the move.

High-quality supplier to Taiwan’s electronic industries

“Last

year’s greatest challenge was also its biggest success story: our consolidation under the Gebrüder Weiss brand.”

ABBY KOU, BRANCH MANAGER TAIWAN

The Gebrüder Weiss branch in Taipei is managed by Abby Kou. She was surprised to learn that most of the personnel in her employ­er’s home country are male. In Taiwan, as in other Asian countries, the proportion of women employed in the logistics sector is far higher.

Before joining Gebrüder Weiss in 2007, Abby Kou spent 17 years working for a former Gebrüder Weiss partner. “Here at Gebrüder Weiss I value the long history and a corporate culture that puts a ­premium on diligence and meticulous care at work. As a supervisor I may be somewhat strict at times, but I always try to treat people ­fair­ly and appropriately. For instance, when important decisions are being made or corporate policies debated, it is very important to take my co-workers’ views into consideration. To motivate our team, I try to harness the strengths and preferences of each individual so that we can all play a part in our success.”

Abby Kou has assembled a strong team, particularly in the hightech sector. When developing logistics solutions, its members leverage their long-standing local contacts and extensive networking resources.

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32

Air & Sea Hong Kong Guangdong Province

“Regarding

the pos­ sible integration of the administrative systems post-2047, I believe that what belongs together in this region will grow together.”

MICHAEL ZANKEL, REGIONAL MANAGER AIR & SEA EAST ASIA

From 0 to 60: the new team in Hong Kong was up and running in no time

On the banks of the Pearl River New branches in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province The year 2017 marked the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the People’s Republic of China. Today Britain’s former crown colony ranks among the world’s leading economic hubs. In real terms, its gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 4.3 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the previous year’s period. Hong Kong does not levy sales or import taxes, and only charges customs duties on a few types of goods. In order to preserve its status as a global trade and finance center, Beijing has granted Hong Kong a special administrative status and con­ siderable autonomy in nearly all areas of policy – embracing the idea of “one state, two systems” until 2047 at least.

The future is also looking bright at the new Gebrüder Weiss outpost in Hong Kong. The company was recently commissioned by the lighting technology provider Tridonic, a Zumtobel Group subsidiary, with the implementation of its logistics system in the “fragrant harbor” – a task it already performs in Europe. Within a timeline of just two months, ­Gebrüder Weiss located a suitable storage location, installed and customized warehousing software, and trained the staff in the use of the new system. At Tridonic’s request, order picking and delivery are ­handled from its Shenzen location on the Chinese mainland. It is here in the Pearl River delta that the border runs between Hong Kong and Guangdong, one of China’s most powerful economic regions; together the two form a major logistics hub for business with Europe and America. ­Gebrüder Weiss is establishing offices in Shenzhen, Zhanjiang and Guangzhou in the Guangdong region.

Partnership with a purpose Gebrüder Weiss supports Tridonic with global solution

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33

Logistics Solutions Austria Asia USA

By guaranteeing consistently high quality, Gebrüder Weiss generates significant added value for its customers – in the form of processes and IT systems that are standardized across their companies. As is the case with its long-standing customer Tridonic. For many years ­Gebrüder Weiss has operated its central warehouse in Lauterach. Building on its proven success in Austria, Tridonic has now implemented the custom storage logistics system at its Asian and American locations – simul­taneously tailoring it to local requirements and customer pre­f­ erences. T ­ ridonic now benefits from consistent, uniform processes at all its locations, with direct IT connections ensuring outstanding transparency and ­reliability. And given that all the services are provided by a single or­­gani­zation – Gebrüder Weiss – Tridonic can concentrate fully on its core ­business activities.

Tridonic, a member of Zumtobel Group, is a leading global provider of smart and efficient lighting solutions. Domiciled in Dornbirn, Austria, the company develops, manufactures and sells state-of-the-art LED ­systems and solutions for connected lighting networks.

1.

USA

Asia

#

34

Air & Sea United States Network

Deep roots and years of experience GebrĂźder Weiss launches own American country organization

Employees at the USA headquarters in Des Plaines even cut fine figures in the warehouse.

canada

Boston New York City

Chicago

USA

Los Angeles Atlanta Dallas ATLANTIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN mexico

“America, the land of the free,” it’s called. Yet if you want to do business here, you need to know the bureaucratic ins and outs, not to mention the codes, says Mark McCullough, Country Manager of the newly founded Gebrüder Weiss organization in the United States. In July 2017, in pursuit of its mission to offer customers everywhere the same quality services under a single brand umbrella, Gebrüder Weiss expanded its global network to include new locations in the country: Boston, New York and ­Atlanta in the east and Los Angeles on the west coast. The official national opening ceremony was held the following fall at the U. S. headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois, in the presence of all 100 employees. That winter, another location also started up in Dallas, Texas.

Along with standard transport services, Gebrüder Weiss also offers customized logistics solutions, e-commerce products and warehousing logistics in the world’s largest economy. To provide expert advice and solutions to national and international customers, the American organization taps into its parent company’s global network and the experience gained over decades in Europe and Asia. Given the different curren­cies, economic systems and national legislations on these two continents, Gebrüder Weiss has learned to appreciate the importance of meeting customers’ needs and offering tailor-made solutions.

Mark McCullough emphasizes that he takes the time to learn the strengths and abilities of his customers and other partners, thereby laying the groundwork for trusting, long-term business relationships.

The manager takes the same approach with his staff, firmly believing that satisfied employees translate into satisfied customers.

“Regardless

of how fast we grow or how big we become, we will never lose sight of our unique corporate culture and roots.”

MARK MCCULLOUGH, COUNTRY MANAGER UNITED STATES

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35

Land Transport Logistics Movement

Daily Business 1 Without them, freight transport services would grind to a halt: ­Europallets, which are typically constructed using production offcuts of coniferous timber.

As the European Pallet Association e. V. ( EPAL) has reported, high volumes of pallets were produced and repaired in 2017. According to its statistics, the overall total was 115.8 million, representing an ­increase of almost 10 percent over the previous year. With 36.6 million Europallets manufactured and 11.1 million repaired, Germany contri­ buted the year’s biggest share.

WEIGHT KG

≈ 20–23 kg LOAD CAPACITY

≈ 1,500 kg

144 mm* 1,200 mm* 1.200

800 mm*

15 pallets

18 pallets

36 pallets

TRUCK TRAILERS (12 T)

STANDARD TRUCKS (26 T)

SWAP BODY TRUCKS (40 T)

* standardized

size according to DIN EN1398-1

From left: Jürgen Bauer, Markus Ebner, Michael Kramer and Viorel Leca present the OCA Awards; Wolfram Senger-Weiss (Management Board) congratulates the winners.

Top performances The winning projects at the Orange Championship Awards

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36

Austria Values Orange Championship Awards

The Orange Championship Awards were presented again in 2017, with prizes given to Gebrüder Weiss projects that uniquely reflect its corporate values and make the company fit for the future.

In the category “Commitment,” the award went to Competence ­Cluster High-Tech – Role Model for Establishing Industry Competence.

This project entailed the creation of the company’s internal high-tech cluster *, which analyzes the specific requirements of the branch and develops holistic solutions.

The accolade for “Independence” went to the project Sustained ­Success in the Euroexpress (EEX) Area, a new department that manages special transport services in Europe for an automotive component ­supplier. Within a year of opening, EEX had evolved into the most successful unit at the company’s Maria Saal location in Austria.

The outstanding winning submission for “Sustainability” in 2017 was the Expansion of the Link between Wolfurt and Rotterdam. In addition to the tried-and-trusted “Lake Constance Sprinter,” a new connection has now been established to the North Sea port.

The project Logistics Service for Personal Safety Apparel (PSA) was distinguished in the category “Service Excellence.” This ­extended ­service for an inter­national oil and gas company comprises a complex logistics package that includes the collection, cleaning, storage and ­delivery of workwear for several hundred employees at the company’s site in Romania. * For more information see Chapter 19. #

#

37

Air & Sea USA UAE

“I wear a mask. And that mask, it’s not to hide who I am, but to create what I am.”

BATMAN

Batman verfügt nicht über Superkräfte, die es ihm erlauben, den Ort, an dem er gebraucht wird, ohne Zeitverlust zu erreichen, daher braucht er ein schnelles Gefährt.

usa Los Angeles

singapore

dubai

With the Batmobile to Dubai The Batmobile takes to the road Famous for its futuristic, chiseled design and matte-black bodywork, the car from the Batman movies has found a new home in the United Arab Emirates. To get there, it had to be shipped from Los Angeles to Dubai.

The transport operation even captured the imaginations of Hollywood residents, who are doubtless accustomed to spectacular events. The Batmobile was secured inside a half-open container and then loaded onto a large flatbed truck. Accompanied by a police escort, the local Gebrüder Weiss team in Los Angeles then loaded the car onto a ship in the port, together with eight other vehicles destined for the new owner’s family. After a 40-day journey across the oceans, the unusual consignment finally arrived in Dubai.

There the local team took receipt and delivered the vehicles to their proud proprietors. With or without a mask, they can now get behind the wheel and dream of being superheroes.

Batman lacks the superhuman powers required to get where he’s needed instantly, making a superfast car an absolute must.

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38

Air & Sea Projects & Break Bulk Austria Japan

japan

Austria

A woodcutter hits the road Project transport from Carinthia to Japan Japan is a country of abundant forests. Whereas 42 percent of the EU consists of woodland, 67 percent of Japan is forested – primarily as a ­result of its many mountains. Tapped in part for timber production, these vast stretches of land also serve to conserve intact ecosystems, safe­guard important habitats and provide oases for relaxation and recreation. ­Forestry principles such as these were imported to Japan from Europe during the 19th century.

Recently a foresting vehicle of gigantic proportions made its way from Carinthia to the Land of the Rising Sun. Known as the Highlander, this enormous six-wheeled timber harvester utilizes synchronized stepand-roll drive action to maneuver adroitly on steep and difficult-to-traverse wooded terrain. With its dimensions of 12 × 3 × 3.6 meters, transporting the 25-metric-ton colossus posed a daunting challenge – especially with regard to agency approvals, documentation requirements, suitable ­trailers, loading procedures and coordinated timelines. Working closely with Air & Sea Klagenfurt, the Gebrüder Weiss project department from the nearby town of Maria Saal found a shipping solution that met the customer’s needs and exceeded their expectations. So it may not be long before the next Highlander sets off on its long journey to the faraway forests of ­Japan.

A true powerpack that even operates efficiently on slopes and in swamps – thanks to rear wheels that can be extended, raised and lowered.

Not simply getting a job done, but doing it well.

Making the right choices, finding the best method, scaling any obstacles along the way – commitment manifests itself in manifold ways. It elevates the normal into something special.

#

39

40

#

Values Employees

“Being

part of a team where everyone knows and respects each other’s strengths and weaknesses, appreciating people for the things they do well and making them feel they belong – for me, that is all incredibly important.”

DANIELA HENDRICKS, GW CHICAGO

41

#

1.1

Land Transport Logistics Movement

million metric tons In 2017 the average forklift moved goods weighing a total of 1.1 million metric tons. That is slightly more than the volume of beef exported rom Australia during the same year. f

Daily Business 2

279,400 consignments Record at the Gebrüder Weiss

Day-to-day operations at Gebrüder Weiss

branch in Maria Lanzendorf / Vienna: in March 2017, no less than 279,400 consignments were dis-

­­patched in a single month.

SALZBURG

6, 00 0 km In 2017 warehouse workers drove ALMATY

an average of 6,000 km with their forklifts. That’s equivalent to the distance between Salzburg in Austria and Almaty in Kazakhstan.

The company’s vehicle fleet comprises about

3,500

trucks.

1,300 forklifts navigate their way around the warehouses.

42

#

Corporate Responsibility Supervisory Board Company history

MILESTONES

1968 Heidegunde and Paul

Senger-Weiss assume ­management of the company.

1989 The Iron Curtain falls, Gebrüder Weiss e ­ xpands into neighboring Central and Eastern European countries.

Two years later the first branch in the Far East opens in Shanghai.

2000/2001 In conjunction

End of an era Heidi and Paul Senger-­Weiss step down from the Supervisory Board

with its partner Röhlig, ­Gebrüder Weiss extends its overseas presence into the Singapore and Hong Kong region. A foreign country ­organization is established in Croatia. By acquiring holdings in Romanian and ­Bulgarian shipping com­ panies, Gebrüder Weiss ­extends its reach towards the ­Alpine-Danube region.

2005 Heidi and Paul

­Senger-Weiss are ­appointed to the Super­visory Board.

At the helm of the company, Wolfgang ­Niessner (CEO), Peter Kloiber, and Wolfram and Heinz Senger-Weiss now join the Management Board.

2017 With 150 locations in 30 countries, Gebrüder Weiss

employs some 7,000 men and women around the world.

Heidi and Paul S ­ enger-Weiss step down from the Super­ visory Board.

Heidi and Paul Senger-Weiss assumed overall responsibility for ­Gebrüder Weiss in 1968, taking direct control of its management a year later. At that time the company had 1,000 employees in Aus­ tria and a branch in Hamburg. The two entrepreneurs then guided its ­fortunes until 2005, when they resigned from their e ­ xecutive roles and joined the Supervisory Board – which they are now also leaving. ­Elisabeth Krainer Senger-Weiss and Christian Planegger are ­acceding to their posts on the Supervisory Board.

With the husband-and-wife team at the helm, Gebrüder Weiss has grown rapidly over the past five decades: it now employs some 7,000 women and men at 150 locations around the world.

Heidi and Paul Senger-Weiss had already set course for expansion into Central and Eastern Europe in the early 1990s, laying the foundations for a new international orientation. Heidi Senger-Weiss was wont to rely on intuition when faced with key decisions; today she looks back on how she and her husband worked as a team: “I always followed my instincts and tried to do everything as well as possible; those were my guiding principles. I think my strength lay in motivating our employees. I was good at relating to people and ­securing their support for our company. And, in my husband, I had a great partner who complemented me very well. Together we man­ aged to get most of our decisions right.”

The success of their life’s work is testament to this. We wish them more of the same and all the very best together in the years to come.

The company will always bear the stamp of their leadership: Heidi and Paul Senger-Weiss

“In my view a passion for mobility played a key role.”

HEIDI SENGER-WEISS

“Confidence

is still pivotal.

If our ancestors throughout the centuries hadn’t always honored the trust partners and cus­tom­ ers placed in them, none of this would be here today.”

PAUL SENGER-WEISS

43

#

Austria Communications Social Media

Networked world Tales from the social media networks

•Falling in love via social media: over 60 million users make Tantan China’s most popular dating app. Despite

More than three billion people worldwide actively use social networking sites.• Facebook, with somewhat over two billion active users a month, remains the most heavily frequented platform, followed by YouTube and WhatsApp with 1.5 and 1.2 billion users respectively. Weixin, known outside China as WeChat, is the country’s market leader with more than one billion users.

Gebrüder Weiss now numbers among these users in the Middle Kingdom. It publicizes its activities in weekly posts on WeChat, and also features on Baidu, the Chinese equivalent of Google, and the country’s main online video service Youku.

their long working hours and lack of free time, members spend an average of 30 minutes a day on the platform seeking true romance or their next fling.

Mobile news from the Chinese world of Gebrüder Weiss.

Gebrüder Weiss added 21 new photos to the album „25 Jahre GW Kärnten“.

Gebrüder Weiss added 5 new photos 28. November 2017 ∙

Wie wir für Nespresso mehrere tausend Bestellungen pro Tag schnell und zuverlässig abwickeln? In unserem neuen Video erfahrt ihr es: http://bit.ly/2BtmilV Perfekte Produktionslogistik für perfekten Kaffeegenuss Liken, Teilen, Kommentieren ist natürlich erlaubt // How we handle several thousand orders a day quickly and reliably? This is what you can find out in our new video: http://bit.ly/2BtmilV Perfect production logistics for a perfect enjoyment Of course you may like, share and comment.

25 Jahre GW Kärnten 21 Fotos

Top right: The video on production logistics for Nespresso was one of the most frequently clicked posts of 2017.

Top left: Many Facebook users congratulated the company’s location in Carinthia on its anniversary. Bottom: Reveling in the past – this nostalgic picture resonated with Gebrüder Weiss followers on Instagram.

gebruderweiss • follow

gebruderweiss Not yet colored orange – snapshot from the post-war period.#gebruderweiss #gebrüderweiss #gwworld #gwmoves #gebruderweiss #transport #logistik #logitics #austria #development #reconstruction #sw #schwarzweiss #bw #blackandwhite #restart #newstart #company #lorry #truck #lkw #building #premises #history #historical #past fassadenagentur When was made this pic? gebruderweiss @fassadenagentur as far as we know this pic was taken around the late 40’s

people like this.

18. OKTOBER 2017

TEAM ECONIA AT THE SHELL ECO-MARATHON :

place

T railblazing ­Efficiency Electro-speedster finishes fifth in Shell Eco-marathon

place

5th

9th

462

566

km / kWh

km / kWh

At 0: 25 km / h

100

44

#

2016

2017

150

25 kWh

Sponsorship Austria United Kingdom

Nobody knows which type of engine will prevail in the automotive ­industry. Yet a clear trend emerged at the Shell Eco-marathon in London.

Of the 15 German teams participating, ten were electrically powered.

The Greek and Turkish lineups had even more, while Austria’s student-­ led squads dispensed with internal combustion motors altogether.

Held in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on May 25–28, this year’s event attracted 170 teams from 24 countries. At stake was the prize for the most efficient vehicle. The field again included econia from the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences. With the backing of its lead sponsor ­Gebrüder Weiss, this team also entered an electric vehicle. Developing sustainable and smart technologies for saving resources is a goal the company gladly embraces.

Driving a speedster sporting the Gebrüder Weiss logo, the team of students from the university’s Energy Technology & Energy Management Master’s Program competed in the battery-driven electric prototype ­category. They were able to improve on their past performances and drive more than 100 kilometers further than the previous year. The orange electric car finished fifth in the competition with an extrapolated operational efficiency of 566 km / kWh.

Full speed ahead for children’s rights Gebrüder Weiss drives Caritas campaign

45

#

Corporate Responsibility Austria

Gebrüder Weiss undertakes to act economically and ecologically, and hence to embrace its social responsibilities. With the Orange Combi Cargo* in mid-February it therefore transported – free of charge – a very special consignment from Dornbirn to Vienna: ten gigantic figures of children which had been crafted from ventilation pipes and papier mâché by the Vorarlberg charity youngCaritas to highlight the rights of minors.

Each of the figures represented one of the basic rights specified in the United Nations’ children’s charter. These include rights to safety in war zones, to protection while a refugee, to a family and to parental care.

Perfectly stowed and secured on the trailers, the titans arrived in pristine condition – and in good time for their installation at an exhibition in the Austrian capital’s UNO City.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most important international bill of its kind. With the exception of one country – the United States – all of the UN’s member states have ratified it. * For more information see chapter #3.

46

# Order of Malta stages its international summer camp

Corporate Responsibility Austria

A perfect setting plus professional logistics In July 2017, the International Summer Camp of the Order of Malta was held in Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Hailing from 28 countries, some 500 young people with disabilities spent a week immersing themselves in varied sports and culture programs with their caregivers.

• Salzburg was the recipient of the Access City Award in 2012 – in recognition of its status as the most disabled-friendly city in Europe. The award honors the dedication, ambition and innovative ability needed to create a barrier-free Europe.

The team from Gebrüder Weiss Salzburg• helped create an ideal setting for the event. Over 10,000 portions of food, several thousand liters of beverages and tons of consumables were required for the project.

In addition to providing financial support, Gebrüder Weiss stepped in as the camp’s logistics partner – when the beds that were originally promised failed to materialize.

The camp organizers found replacements at a disused refugee hostel in Vienna which was formerly operated by the charitable organization Johanniter. Gebrüder Weiss Salzburg spontaneously volunteered to pick up the 250 bunk beds free of charge and store them until they could be installed at the camp. Complimentary return transport back to the hostel was included as well.

47

# Well received!

Corporate Responsibility Austria Germany

Awards for Gebrüder Weiss 1. Best of Content Marketing The Annual Report 52/2015 was honored with the Gold award in the Specials and Annuals category of the CMF Best of Content Marketing competition, winning out against keen competition from publications by Daimler, Rewe and Volkswagen. The jury reasoned: “In its presentation, the Gebrüder Weiss Annual Report is unobtrusive, innovative and surprisingly different. In 52 chapters the book portrays the company’s day-to-day operations in an informative and entertaining manner, showing the employees who make it all possible and get the job done. The Annual Report offers topics for discussion; readers will find themselves picking it up again and again. It conveys dynamism and flexibility, qualities which are in high demand, particularly in the logistics sector.”

Best of Content Marketing (BCM) is Europe’s most prestigious competition in the area of content-driven corporate communication. In 2017 it attracted a record 767 submissions, with 58 companies receiving a Gold award.

Left: Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Communication, with the BCM Award.

Right: Andreas Pichler, Head of IT Services Administration (third from right) with the SAP Quality Award in Silver.

The award-winning SAE shareholders

2. System Alliance Europe Award For the third time in a row, Gebrüder Weiss was awarded the coveted “Partner of the Year” trophy by System Alliance Europe (SAE). The ­presentation took place at the SAE shareholders’ meeting in Bucharest, ­Romania. Walter Konzett, Wolfgang Niessner’s successor on the SAE Steering Committee, accepted the trophy on behalf of Gebrüder Weiss.

Gebrüder Weiss – along with 15 other leading shipping companies – is a founding member of System Alliance Europe. The association’s ore expertize lies in groupage freight transport.

3. SAP Quality Award Software provider SAP Austria presented a Quality Award to its customer Gebrüder Weiss at the 2017 SAP Forum in Linz. Silver in the Business Transformation category went to a project that migrated SAP ERP and SAP Business Warehouse to SAP HANA. Gebrüder Weiss impressed the jury with its project approach, management and implementation. Another big plus: compliance with the standards laid down in SAP’s ten Quality Principles. These call for adherence to criteria such as the defined project duration and budget as well as provision of quality control throughout the project.

H appy and helpful Europe-wide employee survey

48

#

Corporate Responsibility HR Development Europe

Emotional equilibrium, being pleased with one’s own performance and in agreement with the given working conditions – these are factors that contribute to satisfaction at work. And having a safe job is a key part of that.

The 5,720 employees and apprentices entitled to participate in the company’s Europeanwide survey last year evidently belong to this contented group (see chart). The questionnaire – which was completed anonymously by employees from Switzerland to Kazakhstan – focused on issues such as the application process, further education and ­training options, career opportunities, HR management, job content, employment security, and workplace atmosphere.

The employees are evidently fortunate to have considerate ­colleagues as well: no less than 93 percent of them describe their ­colleagues as helpful and supportive.

The start of 2018 brought increased opportunities for international networking. The internal online training platform myOrangeCollege offers flexible learning opportunities that can be accessed from anywhere and at any time.

I feel like I am evaluated and treated fairly.

I’m proud to work at GW.

I always have the feeling my job is secure.

GW is a good

employer.

My apprenticeship is varied and interesting.

EMPLOYEES AND APPRENTICES RATE THEIR EMPLOYER GEBRÜDER WEISS

Blue-collar workers Apprentices

85 %

79 %

76 %

87 %

79 %

89 %

81 %

88 %

White-collar workers

81 %

(APPROVAL IN %):

49

#

Corporate Responsibility HR Development Austria

Affirmative integration Employee support at the Tyrol location Sebastian Bernardi is an irreplaceable member of the Tyrol team.

Those who haven’t enjoyed standard educations also deserve the chance to prove themselves at Gebrüder Weiss. People like Sebastian Bernardi who went to a special needs school, and has become an ­important and valued member of the team at Gebrüder Weiss Tyrol.

Whether he is unloading goods, stretch-wrapping pallets or commissioning, Sebastian works accurately, dependably, conscientiously and on his own initiative. From the very beginning of his employment, he has been under the wing of warehouse manager Hans Knoflach, who progressively assigned more demanding functions to him.

And Sebastian is no exception. In conjunction with the Job.Chance program run by the social inclusion project Lebenshilfe Tyrol, ­Gebrüder Weiss has repeatedly helped integrate physically challenged and learning-disabled employees. After all, holding down a job and earning the respect of your colleagues is a key factor in quality of life.•

•Having employment is not the only factor driving quality of life. Work environments and social circumstances play a part too. According to the Mercer ­Quality of Living review, Vienna has long been the best city to live, and in 2017 it once again came in top of the table. The rankings are compiled for companies exploring potential branch sites and locations to second their employees. The criteria applied include air quality, the reliability of water and energy utilities, the stan­ dard of public transport, and the crime rate.

#

50

Austria Sponsorship Commitment

When he was 13 years old, an improvised firework exploded in Martin Würz’s left hand, forcing doctors to amputate it. Shortly after the accident he was spotted by the Lower Austrian Sports Association for the Disabled and, since 2008, the now 24-year-old has been part of the organization’s skiing squad.

At the start of the year, shortly after qualifying for the Paralympics in South Korea, Martin Würz claimed his very first World Cup victory. Gebrüder Weiss has been sponsoring this remarkable athlete since 2016.

“Although

my disability obviously impairs my skiing skills, it doesn’t actually bother me that much now. It does, of course, affect my balance, but we train really hard to offset that.

I’m very disciplined and consider that a par­­ ticular strength of mine in my sport. I really pull out all the stops to improve my speed – both during the season and when I’m working on my fitness in the summer. I have a really strict schedule for that too, and I stick to it like glue.

I don’t know what would have become of me if I hadn’t had the accident as a teenager.

So far it has had a very positive influence on my life. It made me much more determined, and I aimed high in everything – not only in sports but in school as well. And it was important for me to achieve the goals I set myself. But there’s something that counts far more than sports for me in life, and that’s my family, my girl­friend and my other friends. Spending time with them makes me feel comfortable and safe. No matter how well I perform in a race, when I get back home everyone’s happy to see me.”

#

51

Corporate Responsibility Austria Moldova

Fostering team spirit with community organizations  Voluntary initiative supports projects in Moldova

Located between Romania and Ukraine, the former Soviet Republic of Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. According to a UN study, more than 100 people a day flee the country and the hardships of everyday life. As is often the case, children are bearing the main brunt of the poverty and low standard of living. Evidence of the problems is abundant. For example, only ten percent of Moldovan households own a PC compared to 80 percent in Austria, so young people have struggle to keep up with their counterparts in other European countries, particularly in terms of education.

Named Structure Projects Network. We help, a charitable initiative in Austria’s Vorarlberg region, is committed to providing structural aid to the country. It obtains disused computers from local businesses, banks, schools and insurance companies and then donates these to Moldovan educational facilities. The project also promotes the establishment of voluntary fire services within the country – with the help of donated equipments and even fire-fighting vehicles. The aim is to encourage clubs and associations pursuing social objectives to foster community cohesion and stem the flow of emigrants. Gebrüder Weiss sponsors and partners with the organization and its projects.

In early July another convoy of fire engines left for southeastern Europe – accompanied by an army of volunteers sporting orange shirts and hats. Two days and some 2,000 kilometers later, it reached the ­capital Chişinău where the donations were distributed.

Bicycles were deliv­ered to the capital alongside the fire engines, hospital trolleys and other supplies.

Family-friendly GW4Kids: Vacation fun!

• While Austrian children have a nine-week break during the summer, parents in Latvia, Turkey and the United States need to find 13 weeks of alternative supervision for their offspring.

That must be a world record! In the majority of countries, schools close for between eight and eleven weeks.

In Japan, by contrast, there is scant time for relaxation: their summer breaks only last five weeks.

#

52

Corporate Responsibility HR Development Austria

With the GW4Kids summer camp, the colleagues at the HRD departments in Vorarlberg offered a brand new service for children during the summer months•. While kids might cheer the end of the school year, the pressure builds on working parents who cannot always provide care or supervision during the long vacation period.

To help local employees reconcile their work and family commitments, Gebrüder Weiss joined forces with an external provider to run two one-week vacation camps in 2017. Aimed at children aged between six and twelve, the service was open to all employees in the Vorarlberg region. In total some 30 children enjoyed an entertaining vacation under the care of professional educators.

#

53

Corporate Responsibility Sponsorship Sports

Sports mad!

GebrĂźder Weiss gets goods and people moving

Top: High jumping in GÜtzis/ Austria.

Left: Distance running at Wings for Life in Dubai; right: Defending well at soccer in Romania

3

There were no huge sporting events in 2017, no World Cup or Olympic Games. But the sporting year still had plenty of highlights and un­ usual events, not least the New England Patriots’ dramatic comeback in the ­Super Bowl, Roger Federer’s historic victory at Wimbledon and ­Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. And Gebrüder Weiss also ­experienced some unforgettable sporting moments.

1. All-round success Held annually since 1975, the Hypo-Meeting in Götzis, Vorarlberg, draws top decathletes and heptathletes from around the world. Last year the meeting ranked top in the IAAF Combined Events Challenge, effectively making it the lead tournament for multi-discipline events – even ahead of the World Championships in London. As its official transport and logistics partner, Gebrüder Weiss has been sponsoring the Hypo-Meeting for years.

1

2. Express soccer – ten minutes a match The tenth edition of the Gebrüder Weiss soccer tournament was held in Romania during 2017, and attracted 20 teams from Bulgaria, Slo­ vakia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia and Eastern Austria. The 500 ambitious amateurs played ten-minute games against each other. At the end of the day, the team from Serbia secured top spot with no less than 18 goals. Two teams from Maria ­Lanzendorf outside Vienna claimed the remaining podium places.

2

2

3. Flying finishes Gebrüder Weiss employees transcended time and space to take part in a truly unique event: the Wings for Life run, which was held for the fourth time in summer 2017 – in no less than 25 different countries simulta­ neously. The entry fees are donated towards paraplegic research. All in all, 108 runners from the orange network took part in support of this good cause. The competitors in Dubai deserve special mention, having completed the full five kilometers in temperatures of 45 °C – a truly outstanding effort.

4. And it never stops Once again Gebrüder Weiss served as the logistics partner to the ­Salzburg Marathon. Almost 700 athletes from 70 countries lined up at the start. In addition to its professional skills, the company also ­demonstrated sporting prowess with teams from Salzburg and the Czech ­Republic entering.

Some 40 employees successfully competed in the Salzburg Business Race and the Vorarlberg BusinessRun in September.

4 Team spirit flourishes along the banks of Lake Constance: the BusinessRun in Bregenz

#

54

Values Employees

“For me, sustainability means staying aware of the impact today’s decisions have in the long term. And it means we should do everything within our power to preserve, or where possible even improve, those things that have already established their worth.”

FLORIAN RAINER, GW HALL / TYROL

Treating something carefully and providently ­because we value it: that’s the underlying principle of sustainability. To preserve things that we need and cherish – for posterity and the benefit of us all. Ideally so that they outlive our own transient existences.

#

55

THE MINIATURE WONDERLAND IN HAMBURG

Layout area: 1,490 m2 Track length: 15,400 m Trains: approx. 1,040 Human figures: 260,000 Damaged or kidnapped figures per year: 3,500 Cars: 9,250 Man hours taken to construct the model railway so far: 760,000

#

56

Sponsorship Germany Austria

In motion around the clock Gebrüder Weiss vehicles at the Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg As the largest contiguous model railroad set in the world, the Miniature Wonderland has been Germany’s most popular tourist attraction for years. Located in Hamburg’s scenic warehouse district, it cannot fail to impress – not only with the scale of the layout but, above all, with its mind-boggling attention to detail. To date, more than 15 million tickets have been sold.

Each of the layout’s nine sections depicts a particular area – from countries like Austria, Italy and the United States and its Hamburg home.

These are brought to life by countless miniatures portraying everyday people going about their lives. The scenes range from packed soccer stadiums, schools and an airport through to demonstrations. In a (near) perfect replica of real life, the recent additions to the Austrian section unsurprisingly include a Gebrüder Weiss locomotive pulling container wagons and an orange truck wending its way along country roads. Visitors might be reminded of the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun” as they watch day turn into night and night into day again, with only 15 minutes from sunup to sunup. And from one morning to the next, some 385,000 lights switch on and off.

The partnership with the Miniature Wonderland will run for an initial three years, with changes aplenty on the agenda. The modelmakers are constantly working on new construction sites – so maybe, somewhere, sometime, another orange truck will find a home.

#

57

Corporate Responsibility HR Development Apprentices

Top: Enthusiasm for their new responsibil­ities: the apprentices from Hall in Austria’s Tyrol region.

Bottom: Never out of their depth: a teambuilding exercise at a training camp

Work-life balance Gebrüder Weiss pursues twin-pronged program Sixty-nine apprentices began their training at locations in Austria, ­Germany and Switzerland during the year, learning the theory and practice of jobs at Gebrüder Weiss. But that’s not all: the company also prioritizes the development of personal skills. The apprentices take part in an array of internal and external seminars, language courses, teambuilding exercises and excursions which not only impart the comprehensive expertize they need but also foster networking between different nationalities. The company also attaches great ­significance to social projects during apprenticeships. “We like to make sure that these young people learn the importance of taking social responsibility. It’s essential that we can call on well-trained technical staff but no less vital that they embrace our corporate culture and ­appreciate the value of commitment,” comments Monika Mandl, Head of Corporate ­Human Resources Development.

#

58

Values Employees

“The

advice I would have given myself as a 14-year-old: Don’t fixate too much on your first job. Feel free to explore and experiment – maybe you’ll like a different type of career more.

My second tip: Live life to the full!

As long as you’re still young, you can do anything you want.”

CHRISTIAN ZAPLETAL, GW MARIA LANZENDORF

THE INITIAL SPARK Some 80 years ago, Malcom McLean was exasperated with waiting around. In 1937, rather than loading individual sacks and boxes from trucks onto ships, he came up with the ­brainwave of putting the trucks’ entire trailers onboard. ­Eureka! An idea was born that revolutionized global trade: the shipping container.

THE WORLD’S TEN LARGEST PORTS IN TEU MILLIONS

1.

8.

10.

1.

9.

3.

2.

1. S hanghai / China: 36.5

5. H ong Kong / China: 20.1

9. J ebel Ali / Dubai: 15.6

2. S ingapore: 30.9

6. B usan / South Korea: 19.4

10. Long Beach / Los Angeles: 15.4

3. S henzhen / China: 24.2

7. G uangzhou / China: 17.6

4. N ingbo and Zhoushan / China: 20.6

8. Q ingdao / China: 17.5

CHEMICAL REACTIONS

When a chemical is transported by container, shipping companies are required to ascertain which last two chemical ­shipments it held. This precludes the risk of unexpected chemical reactions.

7.

5.

4.

6.

# VOLUME

Logistics Movement Air & Sea Containers

21,413 standard containers (TEU ) can be transported by the world’s largest container ship, the OOCL Hong Kong.

That makes:

3,500 shoe boxes fit inside a standard ­container (TEU ).

74.65 million shoe boxes on a single vessel or two pairs for about every resident of the Greater ­Tokyo Area.

CORNER CASTINGS

Standardized corner castings make it easy to load and stack containers.

To keep them securely in place, they are lashed to train flatcars using special ­fittings.

MEASURINGS

TEU

59

ISO-containers

Length

Width

Height

Max. gross weight

in feet

in meters

in meters

in meters

in ­kilograms

1

20

6.058

2.438

2.591

20,320

1.5

30

9.125

2.438

2.591

25,400

2

40

12.192

2.438

2.591

30,480

#

60

Europe Asia

Musings on the number 60

Seemingly never-ending, the E60 winds through the Irkeshtam Pass in ­Kyrgyzstan. But the Chinese border literally marks the end of the road. From here it continues eastward under a different name.

A straight shot from Brest to Irkeshtam

Culturally speaking, the number 60 holds great significance. For example, it forms the basis for several numerical systems. In time measurement, an hour has 60 minutes and a minute 60 seconds. The base 60 system is also used to calculate geometrical angles, and hence geographical latitudes and longitudes. But it also has more specific applications. In the automotive industry, for instance, the British and Americans measure acceleration by the time taken to reach 60 mph from a standing start. Some roads even bear the designation. One of these is America’s legendary U. S. Route 60 which runs from its Eastern seaboard to the Far West, traversing nine states en route.

Europe’s equivalent – the E60 – extends from Brest on the Atlantic coast to Irkeshtam on the Chinese border. From France, it passes through Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and finally Kyrgyzstan.

As exemplified by the E60, highways prefaced with an “E” extend from one end of Europe to the other. Having crossed the continent, the E60 wends its way through Asia Minor and central Asia. The double-digit designation classifies it as a major “Category A” route and such highways always end in “5” or “0” – with the former reserved for north-south ­connections and “0” for east-west. Until 1985, several key European trunk roads were known by a single digit: the former E5 ran from London to Istanbul and the E6 from the Finnish town of Kirkenes via Narvik to Rome.

The E60 may not be Europe’s longest highway but it has still made headlines. The well-known archaeological site Grakliani Hill in Georgia was unearthed during its construction. And last but not least, the number 60 should be a favorable omen for drivers: in ancient Persia it was the numerical symbol for water. What better way of keeping traffic flowing?

The Gebrüder Weiss Group at a Glance: ­Subsidiaries, Brands, Joint Ventures Under the umbrella of Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, which is based in Lauterach, Austria, the company offers a range of highly ­specialized industry solutions and subsidiaries – alongside its core competences of land transport, air and sea freight and ­logistics services. This bundling of services a ­ llows us to respond quickly and flexibly to our customers’ needs.

TSSU Tiroler Straße-Schiene-­ Umschlags­gesellschaft Intermodale Schiene-StraßeVerkehre www.tssu.at

DPD Austria | Parcel Service

www.dpd.at

dicall Communication, call-center solutions, market research www.dicall.at tectraxx | Services for hi-tech companies www.tectraxx.com

SLG | Removals expert

www.slg.at FASHIONET

Textile logistics packages www.fashionet.com

WOAC Weiss Ocean & Air Cargo

EuroExpress Express delivery services ­spanning 24 European countries www.euroexpress.at

Sea and air freight, logistics services www.woac.de

GW Rail Cargo | Rail Logistics

x|vise Logistics consulting and ­e-commerce specialist www.xvise.com

Automotive Logistics

Gebrüder Weiss | Automotive logistics Joint venture serving China’s automotive ­industry and its suppliers

With heartfelt thanks to all those contributers who made this annual report happen.

Gebrüder Weiss GmbH Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications Bundesstraße 110, A – 6923 Lauterach PROJECT LEAD GW Frank Haas PROJECT MANAGEMENT GW Merlin Herrmann IDEA AND CONCEPT Gebrüder Weiss. Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications

und Groothuis. Gesellschaft der Ideen und Passionen mbH, Hamburg, www.groothuis.de EDITORS Merlin Herrmann, Simon Holderied, Judith Pichler, Claudia Saltuari,

Imke Borchers, Miriam Holzapfel TRANSLATIONS FOR THE ENGLISH EDITION Gilbert & Bartlett GbR, Hamburg ART DIRECTION Rainer Groothuis LAYOUT Miriam Kunisch PRODUCERS Raimund Fink, Kai Struwe PROOFREADING Mirjam Gartner, Tessa Scott LITHOGRAPHY Alexander Langenhagen, Edelweiss Publishing, Hamburg PRINTING AND BINDING BULU – Buchdruckerei Lustenau GmbH

IMAGERY AND COPYRIGHT HOLDERS

Gebrüder Weiss archive, except cover: (cover) iStock/eugenesergeev, (rearpage) iStock/ Torsakarin; #1: Bureau Stabil (illustration); #2: Rainer Groothuis; #4: Rainer Groothuis; # 6: Weissengruber & Partner; #7: (second page) Weissengruber & Partner; #9: (first page) iStock / Getty Images Plus / Narvikk; #11: Hilti AG; #12 Martin Lugger; #13: DPD Austria; # 14: iStock/angelha; #15: Miriam Holzapfel; #16: inet-logistics; #18: getty images /Christoph Hetzmannseder; #19: (first page; second page, below) QIAGEN; #20: Fotosearch Platinum; # 24: (first page) iStock/AntiMartina; #25: (first, second page) Andrei Stroe/Wikimedia Commons; #26: 2018 Anaklia Development Consortium; #28: (first page) iStock/Getty Images Plus/Ozbalci; #29: private; #30: (first page) Lukas Hämmerle; #34: Rainer Groothuis; # 35: incorporating: iStock/youngID, iStock/Roman Sotola; #38: (above) Konrad Forsttechnik GmbH; #39: getty images / Ty Milford; #40: Rainer Groothuis; #41: incorporating: iStock/ youngID, iStock /da-vooda; #44: (above) Mark Pain; (below) Philip Attkinson; #45: Claudio Tedeschi; #46: Maltester Austria; #47: (first page, left) private, (first page, right) Andreas Hross, (second page): System Alliance Europe; #50: Daniel Auer; #51: Hans Kohler; #53: (first page/ second page above) Kenny Beele; #55: getty images/Jenner Images; #56: Martin Langer; # 59: incorporating: iStock/arveta, iStock/anttohoho; #60: getty images/Arterra/Kontributor