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customers benefit from visibility and more planning security in their delivery chains.” By the end of the year, Bertschi had been able to implement this transparency tool in 95 per cent of all European transports.
SWITZERLAND-BASED INTERMODAL operator Bertschi has reported 2019 revenues of SFr 985m (€917m), a 1.3 per cent increase over 2018’s results. The results were impacted somewhat by the strength of the Swiss franc: in local currency terms revenues improved by 3.6 per cent. Indeed, international operations were the primary drivers for growth, with Bertchi noting that its European business was “increasingly tepid”, particularly after the middle of the year, with what it calls “significant headwinds” in Germany in particular. However, the company notes, “In spite of the difficult economic environment, timely and resolute cost management enabled
One focus for Bertschi has been the implementation of complex supply chain solutions, allowing it to offer comprehensive concepts encompassing order management, transport, storage, product handling and goods distribution. Such concepts are also increasingly used in global logistics chains. “In-house hubs, such as the logistics centre in Singapore, play an important role in the storage, filling and distribution of liquid chemical products in south-east Asia,” Bertschi adds. Another major element of its work during 2019 was the roll-out of the Bertschi TruckTracer app. “Our drivers and all company partners receive their order data
DIGITISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY Looking ahead to 2020, group CEO Jan Arnet is cautious: “Last year we saw a notable and steady cooling-off of the economy, and in Europe in particular important industry sectors have slid into recession. We expect this trend to continue in 2020, with corresponding effects on transport demand. I expect that our global orientation will allow us to offset regional sales declines to some extent. But we will continue to have a strong focus on cost developments in 2020 as well.” In this challenging environment, the ongoing digitalisation strategy will continue. The objective of the digital transformation is to enable efficiency gains in business processes while simultaneously generating added value for customers. One component of this is the SmartTainer project, which will go into an initial implementation phase in 2020 following pilot testing last year. GPS and sensor technology in about 1,600 tank containers will enable parameters such as the position of the container and the temperature of the loaded product, to be recorded and monitored in real time. This will enable the company to set new standards in terms of customer service, safety and efficiency, particularly in intermodal transport chains. Bertschi is also focusing strongly on sustainability. In Europe it conducts 90 per cent of all overland transport by intermodal rail and will continue to expand this service in 2020. Sustainable concepts are also
Bertschi to maintain earnings just about consistent with the previous year’s figures.”
through the app and then record every step of the transport chain on it,” says Michael Bächler, group CEO. “This data flows into the group’s transport planning system and from there on to customers through various interfaces. This real-time data is used to optimise internal transport planning, while
being implemented in other areas, such as the development of completely recyclable transport aids for loose plastics (GreenLiner) and the campaign to replace non-recyclable flexibags and barrels with tank containers in the transport of liquid chemical products. www.bertschi.com
COOLING OFF RESULTS • ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN IN EUROPE IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2019 HAS IMPACTED BERTSCHI’S EARNINGS BUT IT IS STILL FINDING GROWTH ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD
BERTSCHI’S TRUCKTRACER APP IS ALREADY DELIVERING BENEFITS IN TRANSPORT PLANNING
HCB MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2020
WWW.HCBLIVE.COM
