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Hellmann Saudi Arabia Q&A with Lars Nielsen Managing Director Hellmann, Saudi Arabia,
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics operations gain momentum in the Kingdom over the nine years since its founding
Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographical location at the confluence of three continents presents tremendous growth opportunities for the logistics and supply chain sector opines the resident supremo of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics in the Kingdom.
Since its inception in Saudi Arabia in 2013, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has demonstrated a proven track record and expanded operations.
In an exclusive interview with Global Supply Chain, Lars Nielsen, Managing Director, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Saudi Arabia, reviewed the progress of the company over the nine years years since its establishment in the Kingdom and prospects for the future.
Global Supply Chain (GSC): How and why is Saudi Arabia important for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics? Lars Nielsen (LN): It is obvious that the population, size of the country, the presence of vital energy resources and other key downstream and related
Lars Nielsen, Managing Director, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Saudi Arabia, is an international Logistics Director with almost 30 years of experience gathered on three continents (the European Union, the Americas and APAC-Asia Pacific). Lars spent the last 11 year working in the logistics segment in Saudi Arabia where he currently resides and is responsible for all Hellmann entities in the Kingdom.
derivatives among several other ancillary industries in Saudi Arabia demands strategic attention from anyone, both regionally, but for some aspects even globally and that was initially why we established our entity here.
Saudi Arabia is an attractive market for any 3PL, but its geographical location presents major opportunities in the regional Logistics landscape and when that is considered, the attractiveness multiplies.
In addition to that, there is also an increasing trend in the number of our global customers taking advantage of the Regional HQ Programme in Saudi Arabia, and when they go through such major organizational transformations, we are able to provide the much-needed stability and services to their supply chains.
GSC: How are you doing in 2022, post pandemic and what are your projections for the remainder of the year? LN: Year-to-date we are exceeding expectations and I cautiously foresee an upward trend in our growth trajectory, but this is of course will all directly impacted by rapidly changing global factors. Our key focus is on securing stability and uninterrupted supply chains through long term commitments with our partners both on the customer side as well as supplier side.
GSC: How would you characterize your equation with Saudi Chemicals Company? LN: Saudi Chemicals Company is a perfect marriage of one of the strongest distribution networks in the kingdom and internationally benchmarked systems and processes backed by a fully compliant QMS tailormade for Healthcare Products.
The result is a unique setup in a market otherwise only served by local distributors and the demand for our services is growing in line with tighter Government regulations and increased influence of international Healthcare Companies.
GSC: Do you anticipate more new business partnerships in the Kingdom? LN: Forging partnerships are part of our DNA so this is will always remain a possibility and priority in some shape or form.
GSC: Any immediate plans for new local mergers and acquisitions in Saudi Arabia? LN: We are currently implementing our latest Joint Venture in KSA Hellmann with CCCI Healthcare Logistics but am not in a position to divulge details at this juncture.
GSC: Saudi Vision 2030 has made the logistics and supply chain and transportation infrastructure the centerpiece of the Kingdom’s economy…. how will it boost the logistics sector in the country? LN: The simple answer is “in all ways”!! Working in the logistics sector in Saudi Arabia you can almost feel the vibe no matter where you go, and it truly is a great transformation taking place in all aspects.
Very frequently you see new major announcements from all types of stakeholders, private as well as government and it’s ranging from multi-million-dollar investments to groundbreaking changes in regulation.
What I find most refreshing is the Government’s approach to this, there is a constant urge to support the industry and make our lives easier. With the efforts of Government bodies like the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Investment there is no doubt in my mind that the future Saudi Arabia will take on a much more dominant position in the regional Logistics landscape
GSC: What is your vision, for the medium and long term for Hellmann in Saudi Arabia going forward? LN: In the current highly volatile market I believe we are ahead of the curve when it comes to stability so next comes growth, growth and more growth–both horizontally and vertically. We will never be the biggest, but we aim to be the best in our segment and the current market in Saudi Arabia is experiencing the consolidation of big players.
At the same time, quite a few new local entrants have emerged so there’s plenty of room for us to grow and solidify our position as experts in our field.
