Bertschi’s good year

ON A SWISS ROLL

RESULTS • BERTSCHI IS ABLE TO REPORT ON A POSITIVE YEAR IN 2018 AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN ITS PEOPLE, ASSETS AND CAPABILITIES IN 2019 AND BEYOND

LEADING CHEMICAL LOGISTICS provider Bertschi says it can “look back on a positive 2018”, having maintained its steady growth trajectory, with turnover up by another 8 per cent to a record figure of SFr 960m ($963m). Bertschi says the improvement was a result of the “favourable economic climate, paired with the company’s globalisation strategy”.

The markets in Asia and South America provided the strongest momentum. Two other significant driving factors were the Chinese market and the doubling of storage and filling capacity at Bertschi’s chemicals terminal in Singapore for distribution in south-east Asia. In addition, Bertschi was able to integrate its subsidiary in São Paulo, Brazil – established

BERTSCHI’S DECISION TO INVEST HEAVILY

IN GROWTH MARKETS IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA, in 2017 – into its global network, which had a positive impact on growth of the group in 2018.

Another major development in 2018 was the implementation of the company’s senior leadership succession plan, with Jan Arnet taking over from Hans-Jörg Bertschi in August. “Jan Arnet’s transition to CEO of the group was seamless, thus ensuring continuity of leadership for both our customers and our employees. It also safeguards our future as a strong, sustainable family company,” says Hans-Jörg Bertschi, who is staying on as executive chairman.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES Current earnings will allow Bertschi to make substantial investments this year, concentrating on digitisation, its tank container fleet and its terminal and warehouse infrastructure. “Our plan is to continue to expand our presence in Asia and bolster our position in Europe,” says Bertschi.

That investment includes expansion of its new transhipment facility for the import, handling and storage of plastics, opened in Antwerp last year. The plan is to develop it in successive stages to become a major chemical logistics terminal. “This will enable liquid dangerous goods to be stored and distribution transport in Europe to be dispatched directly from the terminal via rail to European consumption centres,” says Arnet. “We are underlining Bertschi’s sustainable corporate strategy by shifting freight distribution from road transport to the more environmentally friendly, safer option of rail where possible.”

The launch of the TruckTracer app in 2018 was “a milestone for the company”. The app, which is also used by subcontractors, provides a central platform to allow drivers to update their status in real time. And digital transformation will continue to be a key theme in 2019. The focus is on business processes that can be made more efficient, secure and customer-friendly through the application of digital solutions. “Digitalisation of these processes will enable us to automate repetitive tasks,” explains Hans-Jörg Bertschi. “Of course, employees will remain at the centre of developments as we move further into the digital age. They will be able to spend more time on personal communication with customers and partners, and on solving complex logistical challenges – there are more than enough to go around.”

Bertschi’s globalisation and digitalisation strategy has led to a significant increase in the number of staff at its headquarters in Dürrenäsch, Switzerland, in the past few years. The workforce will be able to gradually move into an office extension over the next few weeks. In addition to modern office workstations, the new building has a canteen with a professional kitchen, cafeteria and terrace, and a specially designed recreational area in natural surroundings.

“With this appealing workplace, we are aiming to attract talented people away from the major centres and thus lay the foundation for the company’s development in the future,” explains Arnet. HCB www.bertschi.com