DKV Mobility

DKV Mobility is the leading European B2B platform for on-the-road payments and solutions.

GIRTEKA LOGISTICS has already experienced the benefits of DKV BOX EUROPE, one of DKV Mobility’s products. Single toll box for eleven European countries.

The DKV BOX EUROPE supports EETS, the European Electronic Toll Service, making it seamless and convinientfor road users to pay tolls while driving through Europe with a single device and a single contract partner. In addition, the plug-and-play installation, automatic billing and convenient operating functions ensure maximum time savings.

www.dkv-mobility.com/en

Overall, Girteka is committed to driving the digital logistics agenda, and we are making significant progress in this area. Our ongoing transformation and subsequent implementations are progressing well, and we are excited about the opportunities that digital technology presents.

In addition to this, we have already achieved several digital milestones in recent years. For example, we have automated the refuelling process for our trucks using a mobile app, eliminating the need for fuel cards and streamlining the entire process. We have also implemented digital route planning, which has helped us to optimize our delivery routes and reduce our carbon footprint.

Another achievement that we are proud of is our focus on data analytics. We are constantly gathering data on our truck operations, including fuel consumption, route efficiency, and other key metrics. This allows us to analyse the data and identify areas for improvement, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and cost savings.

Overall, Girteka is committed to driving the digital logistics agenda, and we are making significant progress in this area. Our ongoing transformation and subsequent implementations are progressing well, and we are excited about the opportunities that digital technology presents for improving our supply chain methodology and delivering greater value to our customers.

Girteka’s digital ambitions and achievements do not just sit within the company, there is also a driving ambition to facilitate the supply chain in embracing these practises and in turn improve and empower the logistics sector. Why is this important to Girteka?

At Girteka, we understand that our digital ambitions and achievements can have a wider impact on the logistics sector as a whole. This is why we are committed to facilitating the adoption of digital practices and technologies within our supply chain, empowering our suppliers to improve their own operations.

There are several reasons why this is important to Girteka. Firstly, by sharing our expertise and technology with our suppliers, we can help to create a more efficient and streamlined supply chain. This can ultimately lead to cost savings for all parties involved, as well as greater sustainability and reduced environmental impact.

For example, in the future, we could explore the possibility of sharing our digital fuel card technology with our partners, allowing them to benefit from the same streamlined refuelling process that we have implemented for our own trucks. This could help to reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency across the entire supply chain.

Secondly, by facilitating the adoption of digital practices within our supply chain, we can help to create a more level playing field for our suppliers, particularly smaller companies who may not have the resources to invest in digital technology themselves. This can help to promote fair competition and ensure that all suppliers have equal opportunities to succeed within the logistics sector.

Overall, Girteka is committed to driving digital innovation and adoption within our supply chain, and we believe that this is not only important for our own business, but for the wider logistics sector as a whole. We will continue to explore new ways to share our expertise and technology with our suppliers, and to work together to create a more efficient, sustainable, and fair logistics ecosystem.

How would you say procurement was perceived internally when you joined? Has this perception changed over time?

Over time, we have managed to change this perception and show our value to the company. By implementing strong procurement processes and methodology, we have been able to deliver significant savings to the company. We have also successfully completed several projects that have had a positive impact on the company’s bottom line. As a result, people have started to see procurement as a strategic function that plays a crucial role in the success of the company. Our consistency in delivering results has also helped change the perception of procurement from being a weak administrative function to a valuable and respected department. Overall, we have made significant progress in changing the perception of procurement within the company and we will continue to work hard to maintain this positive reputation.

How vital have creating aligned strategic partnerships with key vendors been to the overall change in how procurement performs and is perceived?

Aligning with key suppliers has been crucial to our success in procurement. By working closely with our major fuel suppliers, we have aligned our long-term visions to expand our network, set price levels, and decarbonize our operations. We also discuss the construction of new refuelling stations and what facilities they need to have for our drivers. Our IT providers and digital refuelling partners also work closely with us to align on product launches and other IT products we need.

Moreover, with ferries, it’s essential to agree on future routes, our needs on those routes, and our long-term vision. We have even gone as far as discussing chartering a ferry ship solely for our operations, but due to the war in Ukraine, those plans had to be changed. These examples show the importance of strategic partnerships with key vendors in driving success in procurement. By working together, we can ensure that our needs are met, and our operations are efficient and effective.

The logistics industry is constantly under scrutiny from a sustainability perspective. How is procurement influencing Girteka’s sustainability ambitions?

As a procurement department, we play a crucial role in facilitating communication with our suppliers to understand what they can offer and in turn, offer their solutions to our business. We also work closely with our customers to identify their needs and find ways to meet them. Our primary focus is on finding the best alternative fuels that are both environmentally sustainable and competitively priced. This helps us stay competitive in a market that is moving towards decarbonization, and we explore a range of options, including HVO, bioLNG, bio-diesel, and more.

You joined the business at the start of 2020 and unbeknown to yourself an unprecedented time globally. What challenges did this offer and what has the trials and tribulations of the past three years taught you about yourself and Girteka?

Joining Girteka at the start of 2020 presented unique challenges due to the unexpected and unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there was an urgent need to quickly adapt to the new realities and ensure business continuity. We had to navigate through various challenges, such as supply chain disruptions, travel restrictions, and changes in customer demand. These challenges required us to be agile, flexible, and innovative in finding solutions.

Over the past three years, the trials and tribulations have taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability. As a procurement leader, it’s essential to stay up to date with industry trends and innovations to ensure we’re always ahead of the curve. Additionally, it has shown me the importance of having a strong team and the value of collaboration in achieving success.

Furthermore, these challenging times have demonstrated Girteka’s commitment to its employees and customers. The company was able to adapt quickly to the changes brought about by the pandemic and remained focused on delivering high-quality services to our customers. It has reinforced the company’s culture of agility, innovation, and customer-centricity, which are essential values in today’s fast-paced business environment.