DB Schenker feels margin pressure in Austria and south-eastern Europe

Schenker & Co AG posts declining rail volume and growing transport volume in the segments overland, air and sea freight:

The 2010 financial year was characterised by difficult conditions for Schenker & Co AG (Vienna). CEO Mag. Elmar Wieland reported a trend towards smaller shipment units and simultaneously increasing lack of loading equipment, growing diesel prices and increased charges of transporters. Also air and sea freight charges were marked by enormous volatility in the reporting period, according to his estimation.

In the economic overview of CFO Michael Meyer it was „a year of transition with good growth in turnover and an unsatisfactory development of returns“. Schenker & Co AG in south-eastern Europe with 5,240 employees in 72 locations in 16 countries generated a turnover of EUR 1.4 billion in the fiscal year 2010, which was 12 per cent above the previous year’s figure. Growth in gross profit amounted to 7.4 per cent.

In 2010 they handled 10 per cent more shipments than in 2009, which means 7.4 million shipments with a total weight of 13 million tons (up 3 per cent). In the current business year handled volumes are showing continuous growth, with a slightly improving situation of the margin.

In 2010 DB Schenker forwarded 3.7 million shipments in overland traffic, which means 3.2 per cent more than last year. International overland traffic of the stations in south-eastern Europe grew 12.9 per cent to 2.6 shipments. Rail in this region volume slumped due to the economic crisis in several important markets in south-eastern Europe by 11.8 per cent down to 4.7 million tons. The number of transportations organised with partners in the “PowerRail“-block train network declined by 5.7 per cent to 2,260 trains. The contract logistics division continues to steer its growth course in spite of difficult conditions.

In the overland division in south-eastern Europe DB Schenker achieved a comeback thanks to changing to a hub system. This becomes visible with the increase of FCL volume by 18 per cent to 232,600 TEU and the volume record achieved in LCL business with 73.500 cubic meters. The air freight division accounted for 73,400 tons.

In 2011 Schenker & Co AG has budgeted about EUR 30 million for investments in the region south-eastern Europe. In Croatia’s capital Zagreb they recently opened a new 3,000 m²-logistics warehouse providing 6,200 pallet slots. The facility serves as a distribution centre for a reputable German manufacturer of sports articles. In Rudna near Prague construction of a terminal with a total investment of EUR 24 million is to start shortly. The DB Schenker location in Macedonia is to move to a new terminal in Skopje this November. In Austria the new forwarding software for land transport “STAR“ is about to be implemented. “This enables us to provide offerings for price requests more quickly to our customers“, Elmar Wieland and Michael Meyer announced.

Quelle: LogEastics
Portal: www.logistik-express.com