Calm in stormy markets key to logistics success: Dachser chief

STAYING calm in the face of market volatility is the key to success in today's changing logistics environment, says Dachser managing director and chief shareholder Bernhard Simon.

"There have been cyclical fluctuations in the economy throughout our company's 80-year history and there will probably be even more pronounced fluctuations in the future," said Mr Simon.

"We have the advantage of being able to detect trends in economic activity at an early stage and take action. As a large, globally integrated company, we are in a position to absorb local fluctuations. As a transnational, we know our markets inside out," he said.

Mr Simon also said that his company, based in Kempten, in southern Germany, with its 17,500 employees worldwide producing annual revenues of EUR3.2 billion (US$4.1 billion), has built extraordinary customer loyalty even in times of downturn.

"Intelligent growth is not growth at any price - it is integrating newly acquired organisational units. The first option is always organic growth, which is growth based on the existing organisation," he said.

Asked if logistics providers will need to expand their range of services, he said: "Increased outsourcing means logistics providers are called on to undertake core tasks on the customer's behalf, therefore having to gain a thorough understanding of customers' processes and to take over non-traditional logistics activities, even delving into production processes."

Asked what impact will increasing pressure to cut CO2 emissions have on growth, Mr Simon said: "I do not believe this will slow growth. Today we are already setting out how we wish to operate. Only companies that operate sustainably will grow in the long term and remain viable."
(Source:www.schednet.com)