Quehenberger Logistics looking to a digital future
“Throughout the year 2018 we expanded our business as a group. We have put a focus on the digitization of our processes, as we want to increase our efficiency and optimise processes also in the future,” said Rodolphe Schoettel, CFO and managing partner at Quehenberger Logistics, at the annual press conference in Vienna.
By 2021, digitalisation at Quehenberger Logistics should be implemented in all areas. “This is our goal and we will pursue it with full commitment,” said Christian Fürstaller, CEO and managing partner at Quehenberger Logistics.
Since autumn 2018, Quehenberger Logistics has been cooperating with the consulting company Gartner to digitise its supply chains in the main business areas. That is, the business processes are mapped with digital tools and automated as far as possible.
The aim is to increase productivity through streamlining and consistent measurability of processes. Cooperating with the Fraunhofer institute will also be part of the digitisation strategy.
Last year Quehenberger Logistics focused on its four main business segments FTL and LTL solutions, Contract Logistics, Air + Ocean and Transport Networks. “We need to specialise in a few products and be successful there,” said Christian Fürstaller.
Although turnover fell short of the budget at EUR 464 million, the group was able to grow organically by 3 per cent in 2018 – despite the closure of some subsegments. Air + Ocean once again boosted turnover by 32 per cent to EUR 48 million, with North America and the Far East being the strongest relations.
For the first time, the company has generated more sales in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe. The shares in 2018 were 51 and 49 percent, respectively.
The Contract Logistics segment increased tremendously in the past year. The warehouse area was expanded by around 58 per cent from 260,000 to 410,000 m². “This year, adding 500,000 m², we will break the next barrier,” explained CFO Schoettel.
