Annual report 2016 by Gebrüder Weiss

52 2016

we are where you are .

2 #38

2 #7 #10 #31 #32 #33 # 34 #35 #38 #39 #

38 #49

26 #34

15 #28

Highlights

5 # 12 # 13 # 15 # 31 # 38 # 41 # 46 #

The orange world for mobile devices Hands-on history Between the Orient and Occident VIPs at Gebrüder Weiss Events for customers Trade fairs and industry events The Orange Championship Award Distinguished 2 Land Transport

9 # 24 # 27 # 30 #

4 26 32 38 39 46

Gebrüder Weiss in Urumqi CO2-neutral deliveries

Shipments to Iran Gebrüder Weiss is co-sponsor of the Bregenz Festival

Bosch and Gebrüder Weiss are developing a digital parking system

Distinguished 1 Logistics

3 #5 #10 #12 #13 #15 #16 # 23 #24 #29 #30 #31 #32 #36 # 39 #40 #41 #45 #46 #48 #49 #

42 48

31 32

1 # 3 # 4 # 8 # 20 # 21 #

9 #7

Consignments Pick-to-Light system for Nespresso Fast delivery for Sigma-Aldrich New bonded warehouse in Singapore Full-Service logistics in Dubai Cooperation with Hewlett Packard Enterprise

28 # 29 # 34 # 36 # 48 #

Warehouse for Robert Bosch Data needs moving too New growth New order for Zumtobel Transporting balloons

Air & Sea

2 # 6 # 7 # 10 # 19 # 22 # 26 # 42 # 43 #

Fast lane to the ocean Ship winch for Singapore Chartered flight resolves transport bottleneck Gebrüder Weiss as a premium partner Heavyweights for Africa Gebrüder Weiss now supports Tim Hortons Keeping cool en route to Russia Japan advances its solar energy program Busy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City Brands and Subsidiaries

16 # 23 #

x|vise provides consulting for Intersport Bründl The DPD City Hub in Aspern Seestadt Corporate Responsibility and Social Engagement

32 # 33 # 39 # 40 # 49 #

6 #33 #46

21 #34

13 #27

6 #8

Events for staff Certified sites Traineeships at Gebrüder Weiss Training and further education programs Common goals

The Gebrüder Weiss annual report

52 weeks –

a story from our world by the week.

Wolfgang Niessner, Chief Executive Officer GebrĂźder Weiss

Dear Readers, I may have written about “an eventful year” in some of my introductions to previous yearbooks, but this phrase was probably never more fitting than for 2016. Our record sales volume of over 1.3 billion euros – accompanied by a comparable rate of return and a consistently strong equity ratio – are only the numbers that documents our dynamic growth. Just as important are the new strategies pursued and the decisions made last year which will have a strong impact on the future of our company – in the medium term and perhaps beyond. On a more general level, it is striking that Europe above all has (significantly) surpassed our expectations, notwithstanding the complexities of its economic and political situation. Both our “standard products” and our newly introduced and expanded services have been roundly accepted by the markets. The key highlights include our national and international general cargo, full and partial load transport, and our parcel and express services. In conjunction with our logistics solutions and our Air & Sea activities, they provide a solid foundation and powerful force for further growth. The focal points of our activities in 2016 are easily enumerated: the expansion and strengthening of our organization in Central / Eastern Europe to the Black Sea and along the “Silk Road;” the growth of our rail network; the establishment and extension of our B2C services from parcels to two-man handling; the management and disposition of thousands of full-load transports per month in a highly advanced Europe-wide system for one of the world’s largest global technology companies; the implementation of additional innovative customer- specific features; and the introduction of state-of-the-art IT systems in our warehouse management, sales activities and communications. As always, we also continue to attach great importance to vocational training and continuing education. This is essential because our success is primarily dependent on three factors: employees and partners who are committed to Service Excellence; an extensive, market-oriented portfolio and, most importantly; customers who trust us and our ability to get the job done.

Our decision to restructure our collaboration with Röhlig, i. e. to gradually phase out the Weiss-Röhlig brand, has attracted a great deal of attention. Although this association has proven its worth over decades, both sides felt a need for more independence. This step poses great challenges as well as great opportunities for Gebrüder Weiss. The orange network will go global to an even greater extent, reinforced by additional Air & Sea locations in Germany, Hong Kong, Southern China and the United States. By the time you read these lines, our acquisition of DTC/Nuremberg will have been announced and the first steps of its implementation effected. As you know, regarding land transport in Germany, we made the decision long ago to only operate actively in Bavaria and BadenWürttemberg – and rely on firmly established local partnerships in the country’s other regions. When the opportunity presented itself, we recognized that the DTC acquisition was in line with this strategy and decided to proceed with it. We view this as an important step forward which will secure the successful bilateral operations already in place and provide a sustainable service covering the whole region of Franconia. Since 2016 we have been intensifying our efforts to bring about generational change at various management levels of our group. Important personnel decisions have been made, with the attendant organizational impact. In many ways Gebrüder Weiss is now going through a process of change, one which we will navigate with the utmost circumspection and a special sense of responsibility. We look forward with great confidence to the “orange future.” In closing, I would like to express my very sincere thanks to all the men and woman who have supported us over the years – and will hopefully continue to provide their valuable advice and assistance in the future. Best regards,

Wolfgang Niessner Chief Executive Officer, Gebrüder Weiss

Sales – Gebrüder Weiss 2016 Consulting Customs/ Other

6 % 7 %

Domestic transportation

11 %

23 %

26 %

International land transport deliveries

Logistics

14 %

13 % Parcel service

Air & Sea

Net sales in millions of euros 2016

1,360.2

2015

1,280.1

2014

1,240.2

2013

1,182.8

2012

1,146.6

2011

1,065.6

2010

976.0

2009

830.2

2008

985.1

2007

948.6

2006

871.3

Sustainability Rotterdam

Logistics Consignments 2016 World

Logistics

Switzerland

Austria

Fast lane to the ocean Rail connections to the North Sea

Coffee at the speed of light First Pick-toLight system for Nespresso

Here today, there tomorrow Fast delivery for Sigma- Aldrich in Switzerland

Air Freight

Growing together Gebrüder Weiss as a premium partner

Traffic

High flyers Global air traffic is taking off again

Highlights Company History Austria

Hands-on history

Logistics

Wolfurt

Cooperation

Hamburg

Air & Sea

Politics

Highlights

Trade

Beyond borders On the road between the Orient and the Occident

The times, they are a-changin’ Britain leaves the European Union

Brands and

Land Transport

Air & Sea

subsidiaries

Sustainability

Logistics

Canada

Sustainability

Austria

Dubai

Land Transport

Switzerland

Austria

Brazil

Beyond Air & Sea Full-service logistics in Dubai

Turkey

The perfect pick-me-up: Gebrüder Weiss now supports Tim Hortons

Pioneers in progress: DPD City Hub in Aspern Seestadt

Serving customers sustainably CO2-neutral deliveries

Air & Sea

Destination Golden Horn Cooperation with HPE

Land Transport

China

Logistics

China

Going the extra mile for the customer Chartered flight resolves transport bottleneck

SingapORE

Germany

Milestone posted New bonded warehouse in Singapore

To the middle of nowhere Gebrüder Weiss in Urumqi, China

Air & Sea

Highlights

Romania

Ever-present The orange world for mobile devices

Super heavy and super fast: a ship winch for Singapore

Singapore

# 16

Highlights Austria Georgia Iran Ukraine

VIPs at Gebrüder Weiss

Employees

18 Logistics Stopover

Logistics Stopover

Brands and

subsidiaries

Air & Sea

Austria

Croatia

A sporting Ivory Coast success Ghana Mali x|vise provides Mauritania consulting to “We have efficiently evolved our # # Chad 17 18 Intersport “Gebrüder Weiss operates some services in the high-tech sector. Stopover Stopover Not set in stone Bründl

150 locations around the world. thanks to this industry-specific

corporate sales promotes network we established a very competence, ing among our units with the aim good market position for ourselves of offering our client base onei am particularly delighted in 2016. stop solutions that meet the that wesame have added leading global standard around the world.” players to our list of major clients.” Jürgen Bauer, Director of regional ManageMent east Markus Jelleschitz, head of corporate sales at geBrüDer Weiss

Autonomous Driving Traffic

Computer on board, captain on land Autonomous ships

Air & Sea

Land transport

Logistics

Customs

Air & Sea

Georgia

Russia

Iran

Switzerland

A box on wheels Shipments to Iran

Crossroads in the Caucasus Warehouse for Robert Bosch

Keeping cool en route to Russia

Logistics IT Security

In safe hands Data needs moving too

Highlights Sponsorship Austria

Logistics for art Gebrüder Weiss sponsors Bregenz Festival

Corporate

Highlights Austria

Responsibility

Corporate

Austria

Responsibility

Slovenia

Switzerland

Germany

Slovenia

Romania

Rejoicing and resting I Events for customers

Macedonia

Proof of performance? Passed! Certified sites

Rejoicing and resting II Events for staff

Corporate

Air & Sea

Orange College

Highlights

Japan

Air & Sea

On the move Training and further education programs

In the limelight! The Orange Championship Award

Renewable energies Japan advances its solar energy program

Vietnam

Turkey Germany

Construction, conversion, expansion New growth in the orange network

Happy Talk

Management

Things that light up the life

Board

What made 2016 special

Logistics

Outlook

Rosy prospects

Rosy pRospects

The good old days? Was everything really better than it is now? Of course not! When it comes to smarts, health, affluence and education, life has never been so good.

Adult IllIterAcy worldwIde

2000

18 %

2015

14 %

IQs

1909 to 2013

up 30 %

? Access to electrIcIty

? ?

Russia

Responsibility

Logistics

? ! ?

1990

75 % of the world’s population

2012

84.6 % of the world’s population

Chào Vietnam! Busy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Construction Projects Traffic

Connections

Land Transport

Highlights Automotive

High-tech

Traffic

Cooperation

Autonomous

Germany

Driving

Austria

United States

Reserve, park, recuperate Bosch and Gebrüder Weiss are developing a parking system

Logistics Eastern Europe

Good neighbors New order for Zumtobel

Corporate

Land Transport Highlights Austria

Distinguished 1

Netherlands Czech Republic

Strength comes in numbers Truck convoys in freight transport

Logistics Stopover

Serbia Germany Switzerland Hungary

On an equal footing Trade fairs and industry events

Corporate Responsibility

Welcome to the orange world Traineeships at Gebrüder Weiss

Logistics Japan Austria

Responsibility

Not just hot air Transporting Germany Austria to “Creating integrated balloons logistics # Switzerland 47 the World solutions that generate added Distinguished 2 Stopover Championships Romania

value for our customers: that’s an objective we have successfully achieved again in 2016. Whether we are executing logistics proj ects in Dubai or building a new bonded warehouse in Singapore,

Corporate Responsibility Sports S ponsorship

Common goals

Gebrüder Weiss transported

50,000 metric tons of air freight.

Gebrüder Weiss land transport delivered

11.6 million

consignments.

43.8

Some million parcels were dispatched via the DPD system in Austria.

# 130,000 TEU containers

of sea freight were shipped by Gebrüder Weiss.

Some

6,500

women and men work for Gebrüder Weiss worldwide.

1 Logistics Consignments 2016 World

“For the service to be sustainable, it needed to be running to capacity in both directions: both to and from Rotterdam. By pursuing such

Anniversary for the Hamburg service: in conjunction with the Rail Cargo Group,

initiatives, we are encouraging other compa-

Gebrüder Weiss has

nies to use this economical and environmentally

been operating the

friendly transport option.”

“Lake Constance

Michael Kramer, Gebrüder Weiss Air & Sea Terminal in Wolfurt

2006.

Shuttle” service since

2 Air & Sea Sustainability Rotterdam Hamburg Wolfurt

Fast lane to the ocean Rail connections to the North Sea

ebrüder Weiss has further expanded its rail network to European cities. To complement the Wolfurt to Hamburg link, it began operating a direct connection between the Vorarlberg region and Rotterdam in May 2016. Used by numerous companies from the Vorarlberg and Lake Constance areas, this connection was launched jointly by Gebrüder Weiss, its customer Blum Fittings, the Rail Cargo Group, the Port of Rotterdam, and Wuppermann, a supplier to Blum Fittings. Twice a week the roughly 600-meter train transports some 1,600 metric tons of freight to Rotterdam – and then returns to Vorarlberg carrying raw materials from the steel goods manufacturer Wuppermann.

Numerous partners helped to get the freight service to Rotterdam running: (from left) Willibald Nigsch, Darko Plahuta, Michael Kramer (all Gebrüder Weiss), Ingmar Blum (Blum), Christian Müller (Rail Cargo Austria) and Franz Zauner (Port of Rotterdam)

3 Logistics Austria

Coffee from the very best hands Gebrüder Weiss Maria Lanzendorf commissions first Pick-to-Light system for Nespresso

ow can several thousand orders be processed quickly and accurately a day? Traditional picking and packing won’t do the job. That is why Gebrüder Weiss Maria Lanzendorf (MLD) has implemented a paperless Pick-to-Light system for its customer Nespresso. An LED display tells the order pickers the identities and quantities of the items that need to be picked. The benefits: the picker no longer needs a scanner, has both hands free and can assemble the desired consignment in no time. Since August 2016 Gebrüder Weiss has been storing roughly 1,000 different products for Nespresso at its Maria Lanzendorf location and delivering them across Austria to boutiques, businesses and hotels. Private customers receive their orders in the mail. “Speed and superior quality are key when it comes to consignment and delivery to customers,” says Björn Winter, head of Logistics Solutions at Gebrüder Weiss MLD. To achieve these goals, 55 specially trained employees work from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in two-shifts. “The coffee capsule boxes have to be arranged with the Nespresso logo in a certain position. A consistent brand presence and fast delivery are Nespresso’s top priorities,” Winter explains, describing the customer’s preferences.

As a Nespresso partner, Gebrüder Weiss finds itself in the

best of company: for more than ten years, American actor George Clooney has been the brand’s face as he sips his coffee for the cameras. And he may soon need a nighttime supply as well: Clooney and his wife Amal are expecting twins.

GW for Nespresso

Warehouse space: 4,800 m² Delivery area: throughout Austria Products: 32 Grands Grus (capsules B2C/B2B), coffee machines and accessories

Switzerland Logistics

Here today, there tomorrow Fast delivery for Sigma-Aldrich in Switzerland

Every morning some 15 trucks with trailers leave the Gebrüder Weiss terminal in Pratteln and, covering a total of 18 routes, deliver items that same day throughout Switzerland.

very day, employees from the Swiss Gebrüder Weiss branch in ratteln near Basel deliver nearly 250 parcels to customers of SigmaP Aldrich, a member of Germany’s Merck Group. Doctors, universities, laboratories, hospitals and research institutes are the primary customers who order from the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of h ighly specialized chemical, biochemical and pharmaceutical research mate rials. An order can even involve something as tiny as a single gram of a special substance. This can, however, be worth up to 10,000 Swiss francs. The Pratteln branch specializes in Service Excellence: customers can place orders with Sigma-Aldrich until 4:00 p.m. Then, at 7:00 p.m., Gebrüder Weiss picks them up from Schnelldorf near Nuremberg and transports them overnight to Basel. That same day they are delivered throughout Switzerland – from Lausanne to Ticino.

5 Highlights

Ever-present The orange world for mobile devices

n fall 2016 Gebrüder Weiss launched its own company news app – a convenient and reliable source of news and views from the orange world for tablets and smartphones. It provides entertaining information on developments in the company in the form of photos, texts and videos. The content can all be displayed quickly and easily, making the app a helpful companion both on and off the road.

Even people without a smartphone have heard about a game that captured imaginations worldwide beginning in July 2016 – initially in the United States, Australia and New Zealand: Pokémon Go. Despite the publicity it gen erated, the game – in which users have to capture minia ture, imaginary monsters – failed to claim top spot in the free apps chart for 2016.

From the Apple-Store 2016 Most successful free apps:

1. Whatsapp Messenger 2. Pokémon Go 3. YouTube 4. Snapchat 5. Facebook Messenger

The free GW app is available from the Apple and Google Play stores.

6 Air & Sea Singapore Romania

Super heavy and super fast: a ship winch for Singapore

or its long-standing customer DMT Marine Equipment, a ship c omponent manufacturer, Gebrüder Weiss Bucharest organized the delivery of a 20-metric-ton winch from Romania to Singapore. A tight timeline made air transport mandatory for the “heavyweight;” the load needed to reach its destination within a week. The truck carrying it took four days to travel to a chartered Cargolux plane in Luxembourg. However, loading it on the Boeing 747 proved trickier than expected, resulting in a delay. But ultimately, and to everyone’s delight, the winch still arrived at its destination one day ahead of schedule.

Cargolux Airlines

Cargolux Airlines International S.A. is a cargo airline based in Sandweiler, Luxem bourg. Together with Cathay Pacific, it is the world’s largest operator of Boeing 747-8 freighters. Cargolux currently has 13 aircraft of this type in operation, with an additional plane due for delivery in 2017.

7 Air & Sea China

From left: Wolfgang Seidler (Air freight Manager, Frankfurt site), Hannes Röthlin (Air & Sea, Wolfurt) and Markus Röthlin (PM Air freight Europe).

oing the extra mile G for the customer Chartered flight resolves transport bottleneck

at do you do if a key automotive customer from China needs h to ship almost twice its normal volume – 490 rather than 250 metric tons – during the vacation season, a time when no additional cargo flights are available? Colleagues from the Air & Sea Center promptly secured an aircraft of their own with sufficient capacity. “The freight backlog in Frankfurt was growing daily, and stopping the production lines in China was not an option,” explains Markus Röthlin from the center’s Product Management unit. A Boeing 747 8F Extended Range Freighter was chartered and loaded within two hours, delivering the shipment from Frankfurt to Beijing before the New Year – much to the customer’s satisfaction.

In the first half of 2016, Chinese automakers produced 12.87 million vehicles, 6.4 % more than in the previous year’s period.

As a result, China’s share of the global market rose to 27 %.

First Automotive Works China (FAW)

In 2016 Gebrüder Weiss transported 2,539 metric tons of cargo from Ger many, Spain and Mexico to First Automotive Works (FAW) in Beijing. Gebrüder Weiss has been providing forwarding services for the state-run car and en gine manufacturer since 2014. Every day Gebrüder Weiss delivers compo nents to Frankfurt, from where they are flown to China on permanently booked, weekly flights by two different airlines.

The warehouse is up and running. Below: Cristian P redan, Area Manager for Vietnam and Singapore

Milestone posted New bonded warehouse in Singapore Logistics hub in S ingapore

one of the world’s most modern seaports 30 million TEU containers handled Changi Airport, one of Asia’s largest hubs for air cargo

8 Logistics Singapore

brüder Weiss has been a presence in the city-state since 2015 – e under the name GW Logistics Pte. Ltd. Now the specialist for warehousing and logistics solutions has entered a new era: following in-depth discussions with the Singapore customs office, Gebrüder Weiss can now provide bonded warehousing facilities. The benefit for customers: from now on goods can be stored duty- and tax-free at the terminal, i.e. without incurring additional costs, until they are re-exported or submitted for local customs clearance. Furthermore, having a direct line of communication with the authorities allows processes to be streamlined and formalities completed quickly. It took more than a year to obtain approval; Singapore’s officials do not readily grant licenses for bonded warehouses. “We won them over with the principles we follow in the areas of health, safety, quality, legal compliance, and the environment. The bonded warehouse has extended our range of services in southeast Asia, and our existing and potential customers can now reap the rewards,” says Cristian Predan, Area Manager for Vietnam and Singapore.

9 Land Transport Employees China Germany

To the middle of nowhere Gebrüder Weiss in Urumqi, China

rumqi, located in northwestern China, is renowned for being the world’s “most landlocked” city. It is more than 2,000 kilometers in every direction from the nearest coastline. Despite its seemingly isolated location, Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and a major trading post on the historic Silk Road. Gebrüder Weiss has maintained an office here since 2001.

From left: Joe Zhang, Louisa Liu, Jason Chen, Lilly Ma, Tao Fu. Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan

turkmenistan

Aktogay

Kyrgyzstan

Urumqi China

7,000 kilometers across six countries

The containers have to be reloaded due to differences in track gauge.

he shortest distance between two points is a straight line. And a s traight line connecting central Europe and China is almost entirely land transport. The sea route is considerably longer – and takes far longer. These facts were not lost on a textile manufacturer from Kuytun, located northeast of Urumqi in western China, who ordered power loom components from North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. The journey by sea would have taken some 50 days. But time was of the essence, making intermodal land transport the only option. Four trains – each carrying 40 containers – had to be quickly loaded up and packed off to China. The entire operation – the planning, train bookings, document generation and transport on the first and last mile – had to be completed within a week. This posed quite a challenge for our team in Urumqi. When planning was completed, Gebrüder Weiss picked up the containers from the German suppliers and transported them by truck to Duisport, a container terminal in nearby Duisburg. The first train left the city in December and arrived at the train station in Urumqi on December 26. Our colleagues handled the pick-up from the station and delivered it to the customer’s plant in Kuytun. Right on time, of course.

“I have enjoyed the warm, almost familylike atmosphere since my very first day with the company. If I feel sure of what needs t o be done, my colleagues allow me to take the initia tive. But if I have any doubts, the whole team rallies round to help.” Lilly Ma, Manager, Air & Sea Operations in Urumqi

Gebrüder Weiss and Lufthansa Cargo will be maintaining their close partnership.

10 Air & Sea Cooperation

“As a premium partner, we are delighted to b e continuing our close association with Lufthansa Cargo. It is a testament to what we have achieved in the past few years. We are confident that Gebrüder Weiss air freight services have the potential for even greater success in the future.” Markus Derndorfer, Global Product Manager Air Freight, Gebrüder Weiss

Growing together Lufthansa Cargo nominates Gebrüder Weiss as a premium partner

uring an awards ceremony in March 2016, Lufthansa Cargo, one of the world’s leading air freight shippers, approved Gebrüder Weiss as a member of its “Premium Partner” program. Comprised of 25 selected logistics providers, the platform encourages and expands collaborative activities within the air cargo market while fostering sustainable and stable growth. This applies to annual freight volumes, the global network structure and the quality standards defined for operational processes.

# High flyers

11 Air Freight Traffic

Global air traffic is taking off again

or the first time in the month of June 2016, the number of aircraft t aking off worldwide exceeded three million – a rise of 3.5 % over the previous 12 months. Following years of stagnation or even declines, total flights in the United States rose by one percent during the year. With more than 30 % of all departures, the number of flights per month surpassed 880,000, securing North America’s status as the global leader. After years of growth rates between 5 and 10 %, Asia is closing fast with a 27 % share of worldwide air traffic. And Europe landed in third place globally with some 750,000 take-offs per month.

The ten biggest airports based on annual cargo volume – in millions of metric tons

1. Hong Kong (China): 4.46 2. Memphis, Tennessee (United States): 4.29 3. Shanghai (China): 3.27 4. Anchorage, Alaska (United States) 2.63 5. Incheon (South Korea): 2.6 6. Dubai (UAE): 2.5

Departures worldwide:

Passengers worldwide:

7. Louisville, Kentucky (United States): 2.35 8. Tokyo (Japan): 2.12 9. Paris (France): 2.09 10. Frankfurt (Germany): 2.08

32.6

more than 35

2010

2016

million

3.8

2016

7.2

billion

2035 (projected)

Source: Global Aviation Monitor

12 Highlights Company History Austria

Hands-on history

ustria’s cultural calendar wouldn’t be the same without the ORF broadcasting station’s “Long Night of Museums”. And for the first time, the company’s GW Head Office is in Lauterach hosted a companion event for the public: a special exhibition entitled “Transport Through the Ages.” Taking center stage was the Milanese Courier, a historic transalpine messenger service that can be viewed as our company’s forerunner. Some 250 visitors came to the “Weissraum”, the exhibit’s location within the Head Offices, and learned all about transport services of the past and present.

The “Long Night of Museums”, originally held in Berlin in January 1997, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Thanks to its broad appeal, the idea has since taken seed in more than 120 cities around Europe.

The “Weissraum” as a museum: major steps in the company’s history presented “hands-on”

13 Highlights

Beyond borders n the road between the Orient O and the Occident

ethe’s dictum could hardly be more relevant than today. “Bridging o Europe and Asia” is the motto of the Gebrüder Weiss campaign launched in 2016 to drive its international business along the Silk Road. In doing so, the group is embracing and advancing a classic concept: closing the gap between East and West. The very roots of Gebrüder Weiss lie in international trade. The Milanese Courier, a forebear of the Weiss family, plied his trade beyond his homeland more than 500 years ago. Within the past half century, the domestic Austrian shipping company that was Gebrüder Weiss has evolved into a global player in the logistics industry. Key milestones in the internationalization process were set when a new generation – Heidi and Paul Senger-Weiss – took over at the company’s helm in 1968. The focus shifted first from consolidated rail transport – its initial core specialty – to international shipping (by truck). The mid-1980s saw the emergence of customized logistics projects at Gebrüder Weiss, and the turn of the millennium the birth and evolution of a worldwide Air & Sea network. Supported by the Silk Road campaign, the group is currently positioning itself as an expert supplier of transport and logistics solutions between Europe and Asia.

“Who knows himself and others well No longer may ignore: Orient and Occident dwell Separately no more.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, West-East Divan

Gebrüder Weiss billboard advertising, 1947

A picture from the early days of air transport – used as late as the 1960s to advertise air freight.

Until 1968, domestic Austrian shipping (consolidated rail freight plus full and partial truck loads) formed the focus of Gebrüder Weiss’ transport operations.

Circa 1970 – loading air freight palettes at Kloten Airport in Zurich. Air freight begins to gain momentum, along with transport by truck.

In 2003 the management of the Air & Sea departments at the Gebrüder Weiss branches was separated from land transport to create an independent entity.

The times, they are a-changin’ Britain leaves the European Union

B An early milestone in European land transport: the first Gebrüder Weiss truck in London, 1969.

b Dylan was an impoverished folk singer living in New York o when he penned the poetic lyrics to his protest song “The Times, They Are a-Changin’” in 1963. That same year the civil rights movement was reaching its climax with the “March on Washington” and Martin Luther King’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech. It was a time when young people, above all, had joined the Afro-American rights movement, with the aim of changing society from within. The song made Dylan one of the voices of this counter-culture. Who would have thought that, over half a century later, he would become the first musician to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016? And while not every social problem was eliminated – some resurface at regular intervals and there are

no solutions in sight for others – Dylan’s words encapsulate one fundamental truth: Time does bring change, but not always the change that people expect. That is true of transport, politics and social issues of every shade and flavor. Indeed, change is the only constant – as recent events in the EU have shown. On June 23, 2016, 51.9 % of Britons voted for Brexit against 48.1 % who preferred to remain within the European Union. As a result, Prime Minister Theresa May now has to navigate her country’s exit from the union – in negotiations that have to be concluded within two years. If Britain leaves the Single Market, British products and workers will no longer be allowed to move freely within the remaining member states. As a result, the two parties will be looking to seal a free trade agreement.

Politics Trade

European integration has produced numerous advantages for the continent – not to mention a number of problems. In a survey, the Bertelsmann Foundation asked German and British entrepre neurs about the benefits and difficulties that membership in the EU brings for their companies.

What is the biggest advantage your company has from your country’s membership in the European Union?

102

407

No advantage Other advantage ccess to the common currency, A more effective counterweight to the United States

171

Pan-European labor market EU Single Market

What, if anything, is the biggest problem faced by your company as a result of your country’s membership in the Euro pean Union?

146

268

No problem Other problem Restrictive labor laws

174

Uncertainty over the future of the euro 107

Tax issues Complex regulations

Source: Focus paper “Die Folgen eines Brexit”, Bertelsmann Stiftung 2016

15 Highlights Austria Georgia Iran Ukraine

VIPs at Gebrüder Weiss

“As the site of our discussions, we were

Georgian Prime Minister attends conference in Tbilisi

The potential flexibility of logistics hubs was demonstrated to great effect in Tbilisi, Georgia, at the end of August. Some 100 Georgian business leaders met there with Prime Minister Giorgi Kwirikashwili to debate current and future commercial issues.

looking for facilities from a company

Diplomatic visitor

whose evolution is

In November 2016 the Ambassador of Iran, Dr. Ebadollah Molaei, came calling at the Head Office of Gebrüder Weiss. The main focus of his visit was to exchange information and ideas on current developments and prospective commercial opportunities. On behalf of the company’s Air & Sea division, Harry Kostial and Jürgen Hammerer welcomed the delegation. The division has been cooperating successfully with its partner Iran Europe for 16 years.

viewed as exemplary in our country. Since it constructed its own logistics center in the fall of 2013, Gebrüder Weiss has been posting con stant growth in Georgia and offering a range of services that meet Western quality standards.” Giorgi Kwirikashwili, PRime Minister, Georgia

Gebrüder Weiss Ukraine receives the Austrian Ambassador

Ms. Hermine Poppeller, the Austrian Ambassador to Ukraine, visited the Gebrüder Weiss location in Mukacheve during October 2016. Together with representatives from the site, she discussed topical issues from the realms of politics and economics and above all the management of transport services to and from Ukraine.

All change! For a discussion with Georgia’s Prime Minister, the Gebrüder Weiss logistics hall in Tbilisi was quickly converted into a conference center.

From left: Kazem Mohammadi, Embassy Counselor, Christina Marent, Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce, Harry Kostial (GW), HE Dr. Ebadollah Molaei, Dr. Mohammadreza Torukmanian, interpreter, Jürgen Hammerer (GW)

A sporting success x|vise provides consulting to Intersport Bründl

16 Brands and Subsidiaries Austria

Thomas Bale from x|vise supervised the project in close cooperation with the customer.

r the Bründl Sports Group, x|vise transformed the regional wareo house in Kaprun into a high-performance central facility serving all its locations, and also developed a tailored supply concept for the stores. According to Thomas Bale, a logistics consultant at x|vise, “We had to calculate the floor space, identify the right warehousing tech nology and equipment, and create the processes for future warehouse operations.” Employee resource planning, warehouse organization and the distribution of goods were among the main responsibilities of x|vise. During the implementation phase, the customer and contractor worked hand-in-hand: “The collaboration extended from structured, goal-oriented workshops to speedy project development and perfect implementation support,” said Petra Kitzberger, a member of the management team at Bründl, in summary. “We were most impressed by x|vise’s ‘out-of-the-box’ approach.” Covering a total logistics area of roughly 4,500 square meters, the new central facility includes offices, a pallet warehouse and a threestory modular shelving system accommodating some 10,000 units. It commenced operation in January 2017.

Read more in article # 49 to find out how a “sporting success” is more than a metaphor for Gebrüder Weiss employees.

17 Stopover

“Gebrüder Weiss operates some 150 locations around the world.

Corporate Sales promotes network ing among our units with the aim of offering our client base onestop solutions that meet the same standard around the world.” Markus Jelleschitz, Head of Corporate Sales

18 Stopover

“We have efficiently evolved our services in the high-tech sector. Thanks to this industry-specific competence, we established a very good market position for ourselves in 2016. I am particularly delighted that we have added leading global players to our list of major clients.” Jürgen Bauer, Director of Regional Management East at Gebrüder Weiss

The combined weight of 15 African elephants: the tube mill weighing in at 88 metric tons

Air & Sea Croatia Ivory Coast Ghana Mali Mauritania Chad

Not set in stone Heavyweights for Africa

“The Gebrüder Weiss project department has years of experience in working with partners in Africa – we owe

r our Project Logistics & Break Bulk section, complex transport o projects are almost the norm. But jobs for customers such as C EMTEC, a leading manufacturer of machinery for the mining and cement industries in Europe, bring new meaning to the word “challenging.” Transporting entire cement grinding plants – disassembled – from Europe to West Africa requires special planning skills and extremely good coordination. Within a period of 19 months Gebrüder Weiss transported five complete cement plants to Africa: to Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Nouakchott (Mauritania), Diago (Mali), Tema (Ghana) and Djermaya (Chad). The individual components were drawn from 13 different countries: Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Turkey, Poland, India, Belgium, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The collection of these components had to be arranged and coordinated. All in all, over 120,000 metric tons of freight were transported, including 3,000 TEU containers and heavy loads weighing up to 160 metric tons each. The bulky components were transported from central Europe to the ports along the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers – as their weight and oversized dimensions made them unsuitable for conventional road transport. In Africa the team faced an array of atypical challenges, such as the rainy season and, frequently, the almost complete lack of key infrastructure. In Ghana, Gebrüder Weiss had to supply low loaders and tractor units from Europe; these were not available locally. The distances to be covered varied wildly as well: the delivery points were near the coast in Ghana and Mauritania, but in Mali the destination was some 1,700 kilometers from the seaport. And in Chad it was three climate zones away!

it to them that we mastered the various

Cement production in Africa undoubtedly rose signifi

challenges.”

cantly following the successful delivery. However, in

Franco Ravazzolo, Manager, Project Logistics & Break Bulk

2016 the undisputed world leader was once again China with 2,410 million metric tons, followed by India with 290 million metric tons.

20 Air & Sea Logistics Dubai

Beyond Air & Sea A year of full-service logistics in Dubai One year ago, Gebrüder Weiss Dubai opened a 5,000 square meter full-service terminal in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, which is located between Al M aktoum Airport and the largest port in the United Arab Emirates. In one fell swoop, the one-time Air & Sea operator graduated to a full- service provider. At the new terminal, more than 40 employees from ten countries offer customers the entire Gebrüder Weiss array of services, including all of its logistics solutions. The modern facility is an ideal springboard for European companies aiming to access Arab markets without establishing their own offices in the region.

“Our broad service portfolio makes us a rarity in Dubai. Very few providers here offer a one-stop shop for transport and logistics solutions. We are attracting more and more customers with our consistently high quality standards.” Esther Hecq, Logistics Manager, Dubai

“I spent 2008 to 2012 working on site, so I associate the location with an array of career milestones and personal experiences. Beside the fact that projects were completed on time, I was impressed most by the spirit of cooperation within the team – before, during and after critical project phases. While coming from different cultural and t echnical backgrounds, our colleagues treat each other with the degree of respect needed to foster outstanding teamwork.” Helmut Ebentheuer, Project Management, Corporate Logistics

“I helped the team in Dubai set up the ware housing software and implement individual installations. The hospitality was r emarkable, as was the staff’s exceptional dedication. By now, the team has accumulated so much know-how that my support is rarely needed.” Kurt Wawruschka, Logistics Department Manager, Graz

Gebrüder Weiss Dubai’s employees and their new terminal

“I’m really proud of the great teamwork that everyone displays. The transfer of knowl edge across the company and departments has been terrific – and a critical factor in so quickly establishing our credentials as a full-service provider.” Marcel Meyer, Managing Director, Dubai

21 Logistics Land Transport Turkey

Destination Golden Horn Cooperation with Hewlett Packard Enterprise now extends to Turkey

f something already works well in 21 countries, why not add one more? Since the fall of 2016, Gebrüder Weiss has been handling the local istribution and returns logistics for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE ) in d Turkey. A total of three Gebrüder Weiss locations are involved: at the Czech location in Ričany-Jažlovice, ordered goods are collected directly from the customer’s distribution hub. The next stop is Maria Lanzendorf in Austria, from where the merchandise is transported all the way to the Bosporus. The site in Istanbul runs its own cross-docking operations, where individual commodity flows are consolidated for subsequent distribution. The Turkish team also oversees the obligatory customs clearance processes. The final distribution is then carried out nationally throughout Turkey – although the majority of consignments remain in the Greater Istanbul area.

“With our activities for HPE, we are further expanding our regional capabilities and successfully positioning ourselves as a full-service logistics provider in Istanbul and the surrounding regions. What has been really w onderful to see, though, is the efficient team effort at our three G ebrüder Weiss locations in the Czech Republic, Maria Lanzendorf and here in Turkey.” Mişel Yakop, Country Manager GW Turkey, Country Organization

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

HPE was founded in 2015 following the split-up of the U.S. technology group Hewlett-Packard. According to the business- focused organization, HPE is tasked with offering services that ensure customer IT environments are more efficient, pro ductive and s afer – and therefore able to respond quickly and flexibly to rapidly changing market conditions. The areas of computer servers and customer storage are bundled into the HP Enterprise offerings – maintaining their separation from the computer and printer business of HP Inc.

From left: Vincent Schwertfeger (Toronto), Markus Larcher (Toronto) and Harald Kostial (Head Office, Air & Sea)

The perfect pick-me-up: ebrüder Weiss now supports G Tim Hortons in Canada too

T #

22 Air & Sea Canada Switzerland

he largest operator of coffee-and-doughnut restaurants in Canada, im Hortons ranks third in the United States after Starbucks and T Caribou Coffee. Every day millions of people patronize the quick service coffeehouses that were founded in 1964 by former NHL ice-hockey player Tim Horton in Hamilton, Ontario. For its launch of a new coffee specialty, the chain has chosen Gebrüder Weiss as its logistics partner in Canada. Another central European company, the long-standing Swiss firm Schaerer, had already outfitted Tim Hortons’ American venues with premium- quality coffee machines. Given the impressive service provided by the group’s network in Los Angeles, Gebrüder Weiss has been asked to deliver the equipment to the Canadian stores as well. The machines are picked up by Gebrüder Weiss Basel in the Swiss canton of Solothurn, transported by air freight from Zurich to Toronto and Vancouver and then delivered directly to the Tim Hortons distribution centers.

23 Brands and Subsidiaries Sustainability Austria

Pioneers in progress: the DPD City Hub in Austria’s Aspern Seestadt

ienna’s newest urban quarter – Aspern Seestadt – is being cons tructed in line with a comprehensive energy concept and an intelligent mobility strategy. Situated on 240 hectares of land, it is due for completion by 2028 and slated to house 20,000 residents. It is also where private parcel service provider DPD Austria opened its first company-run shop in September 2016, unveiling a climate-friendly concept for the “last mile.” Parcels are stored temporarily at the DPD City Hub in Aspern See stadt before being delivered by electric-powered bicycle or transporter, both of which are low on noise and CO2 emissions. The hub also serves as a pick-up shop, where parcels are stored until the recipients can retrieve them during customer-friendly opening hours. Packages can also be dropped off at the location.

EMILIA: new logistics concepts for u rban space

ed by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), 15 companies – among them DPD – have joined forces in EMILIA (Electric Mobility for Innovative Freight Logistics in Austria). Their shared objective: to develop innovative freight logistics strategies for urban spaces and optimize the range and production costs of small electric vehicles through 2017.

Tried and tested: environmentally friendly alternatives for the last mile

Top: Andreas Winkelmeyer and D aniel Neumann, the managing directors of GWP Austria, open the DPD City Hub. Right: The shop encourages c ustomers to stay and browse.

“We deliberately chose Aspern Seestadt as the location for our first DPD City Hub. Our aim is to gain valuable insights into electro mobility and then strategically integrate our experience into our process chains. With our new City Hub, we have in creased our proximity to our customers and can offer them even better service.” Andreas Winkelmayer And D aniel Neumann

No better place to live: in 2016, the Austrian capital of Vienna once again took the top spot for overall quality of living (annual “Quality of Living” survey from Mercer, 2016). It was followed by Zurich, Auckland, Munich and Vancouver respectively.

24 Land Transport Sustainability Austria Brazil

“Looking to reduce CO2 output from our logistics processes by means of climate-neutral transport, we trust in the expertise of Gebrüder Weiss, our partners of many years’ standing.” Mag. Rudolf Aster, Managing Director/gaerner GmbH

Serving customers sustainably ebrüder Weiss makes CO2-neutral deliveries G for Gaerner GmbH throughout Austria

hen transporting goods for Gaerner GmbH, a leading online ven or for stationery in the B2B sector, Gebrüder Weiss completes d some 7,500 deliveries each year while maintaining climate neutrality. To achieve this, Gebrüder Weiss tracks the number of kilometers driven by its trucks, calculates their unavoidable CO2 output and offsets its climate impact by purchasing carbon credits for the customer. These are issued by independently monitored climate protection projects, one of which is Grupo Tavares in the northern Brazilian state of Ceará. This initiative consists of five factories that make bricks for surrounding regions. The brickworks fuel their kilns with renewable, sustainably produced biomass.

The latest statistics underscore the importance of cutting emissions: in 2016 the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere were higher than ever before, and never fell below 400 parts per million (ppm).

“At many compa nies, the sense of responsibility for the environment has grown. By fos tering climate pro tection projects we offer our custo mers a sustainable compensation for transport-related CO2 emissions.” Peter Schafleitner, Director and Regional Manager Central at Gebrüder Weiss

Shaking hands on climate protection: Peter Schafleitner, Director and Regional Manager Central at Gebrüder Weiss with Mag. Rudolf Aster, CEO of Gaerner GmbH (left to right).

omputer on board, C captain on land utonomous ships are just A around the bend

is quotation from French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry may h soon be obsolete: shipping lines, naval architects and scientists are currently working hard to make self-sailing ships a reality. The industrial company Rolls-Royce (which shares a name but little else with the automaker) has been leading a consortium on unmanned ships since 2016. The majority of container vessels today already send a constant stream of data back to their operating bases. And like auton omous cars and aircraft, these “roboships” are expected to be equipped with infra-red technology, high-resolution cameras and laser-based recognition systems. As a result, the developers believe, ships could be commanded from any suitable location on land. Using virtual reality, the captain would effectively be “ported” onto the bridge. Monitors would display pictures from onboard, and instrument panels ashore would transmit the commands digitally to the ship’s control systems – making it possible to optimize fuel consumption and plan arrival times to the minute. The additional data would also help ships to more effectively negotiate storms and adverse weather conditions. The scientists at RollsRoyce are convinced that, once the legal hurdles have been cleared, autonomous ships will be sailing the seven seas by the end of the current decade.

The navigation revolution: captains piloting their ships from dry land.

25 Autonomous Driving Traffic

“If you want to build a ship, don’t rustle up men to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and responsibilities, but rather inspire them to long for the infinite vastness of the sea.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

26 Air & Sea Customs Russia Switzerland

Keeping cool en route to Russia

dication is a sensitive product. To avoid impairing its efficacy, e it needs to be stored at a prescribed temperature. To maintain the required temperatures throughout long-range trips, Swiss pharma ceutical logistics experts SkyCell AG has developed a new range of selfcooling containers. These provide precise temperature control and reliable, outage-free cooling even under extreme exterior conditions. SkyCell, which regularly transports pharmaceutical products from Switzerland to Russia, took Gebrüder Weiss on board as its transport provider. The Moscow team, headed by Vasily Fedoseev, has been managing all customs clearance operations for SkyCell in Russia – including the return transport of empty containers – since spring of 2016. Its members are special ized in the separate clearance of medications and transport containers. This includes temporary customs handling of the containers, which are typically held in Gebrüder Weiss’ Moscow warehouse for five weeks before being taken back to Switzerland.

“The temporary customs processes when exporting to Russia are very complex, and we greatly value having a partner as reliable as Gebrüder Weiss.” Bernhard Bärtschi, Head of Sales, SkyCell

Moscow Estonia North Sea

Latvia Baltic Sea

Lithuania

Russia

Belarus Poland

Germany Czech Republic Austria

Zug

ukraine Slovakia

Kazakhstan

Hungary

SwitzerSwitzerland italy

Romania

Above and left: The entire logistics process needs to run smoothly to ensure that sensitive cargos arrive quickly and in pristine condition. Below: Moscow team: From left: Anastasia Drobot, Michael Matveev, Egor Pozhidaev, Tatyana Petrova, Vasily Fedoseev (Managing Director), Anna Glukhova, Maria Frolova, Galia Kashafetdinova

Iran is situated on the Strait of Hormuz between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a strategically favorable location since antiquity.

Iran

ukraine Kazakhstan

Austria Hungary

Area: 1.65 million kmÂ˛

Romania

italy

Bulgaria

Greece

Tunisia

Inhabitants: approx. 79 million

caspian sea

Turkey

Syria

Mediterranean Sea

Libya

Black Sea

Iraq

Egypt

Saudi Arabia

iran

Per capita GDP: 17,140 U.S. dollars (at purchasing power parity) GDP growth: 4.5 % (2016)

27 Land Transport Air & Sea Iran

A box on wheels Shipments to Iran

ollowing the lifting of international sanctions, Iran has been keen t o find foreign investors and establish partnerships with western companies. Conversely, these companies have come to view the land between the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf as an attractive growth market. Since June, Gebrüder Weiss has therefore been operating a direct consolidated freight route to Iran, with shipments from across Europe being grouped and then shipped weekly to the country’s capital, Tehran. Gebrüder Weiss entrusts the last mile to its longtime partner Iran Europe. The two companies can look back on a collaboration that has enjoyed sustained success in the Air & Sea sector for 16 years. A team from the Projects & Break Bulk division of Gebrüder Weiss recently transported a 34.5-metric-ton load for Leobersdorfer Maschi nenfabrik GmbH (LMF) from Neunkirchen in Austria to the Iranian capital. Not only was the consignment exceptionally heavy, but its size – 5.15 × 2.75 × 2.45 meters – made detailed planning a must. As with most oversized loads, all the permits and approvals had to be obtained before the freight could be loaded, lashed down and secured with belts and chains.

The consignment is carefully secured before departing for Tehran.

28 Logistics Georgia

rossroads in the C Caucasus Warehouse for Robert Bosch in Georgia

ery year some 312,000 products are handled at the warehouse v for Robert Bosch GmbH in Tbilisi. The focus is on the company’s range of power tools, with Gebrüder Weiss standing surety for the quality of the logistics services. Equipped with a cutting-edge alarm and surveillance system, the 10,000 square meter warehouse has already received TAPA certification; and the customs area is further protected by its own dedicated security system. Eighty trained employees ensure the dependable tracking of incoming and outgoing goods. And, thanks to flexible companion services such as labeling and packaging, Gebrüder Weiss provides genuine added value to the German technology company. The customers place orders, and Gebrüder Weiss picks and delivers them.

“Our modern warehouse serves as a central hub for all Bosch goods’ movements within Georgia and the n eighboring countries.” Alexander Kharlamov, Country Manager, Gebrüder Weiss Georgia

Robert Bosch GmbH marked an impressive anniversary in 2016. In 1886, Robert Bosch (1861–1942) established his company in Stuttgart, the same year that another world-famous brand took its first steps in the Swabia region: Carl Benz was awarded the patent for a “gas-powered vehicle” at the start of 1886. So Bosch and Mercedes-Benz celebrated their shared 130th anniversaries in 2016.

In safe hands Data needs moving too – confidentially, needless to say

T “To ensure that our IT systems are protected from hackers and to stop cybercriminals from accessing confidential information, we review the security of our IT services on a regular basis. Our goal is to quickly identify

e fast flow of information is becoming at least as central to the h transport and logistics segment as the movement of physical goods. Today Gebrüder Weiss receives some 80 % of its orders electronically. The ability to access the right data at the right time has therefore become a critical factor in efficiency, one that offers huge potential for optimizing processes. This trend will undoubtedly continue in the future, as functions such as real-time tracking and standardized, automated business processes grow in importance. Major opportunities, however, often entail major risks: how can we secure the privacy of this huge volume of data? Through constant vigilance and a comprehensive program to identify and seal potential leaks. A range of technical precautions protects Gebrüder Weiss systems from intruders and data theft. With over 160 employees, the IT department ranks among the largest in the Vorarlberg region and provides global services for the entire group from its base in Kennelbach.

serious risks and minimize any possible damage.” Bernhard Bildstein, Head of IT Services, Gebrüder Weiss

29 Logistics IT Security

With their video surveillance and access security systems, the Gebrüder Weiss datacenters contain some 600 servers and offer exceptional up-time for data and applications.

30 Highlights Sponsorship Austria

Logistics for art Gebrüder Weiss is the co-sponsor of the Bregenz Festival – and its logistics partner

The orange truck isn’t part of the set: it makes sure that the set arrives on time.

rom being good neighbors to becoming a good team: since 2016 Gebrüder Weiss has been the official logistics provider for the annual cultural highlight in the Lake Constance region, the Bregenz Festival . The partnership requires great attention to detail because the cargos consist of meticulously crafted sets, scenery and musical in struments – all of them destined for the world’s largest floating stage. “The sets are of extremely high quality and still need to meet the exacting artistic requirements of the set designer after their long journey. We needed a reliable partner to transport fragile goods, and entrusted the task to Gebrüder Weiss,” says Michael Diem, the festival’s commercial director. Gebrüder Weiss also provides support for the celebrated event in its role of co-sponsor. In return, it is receiving a warrior: a terracotta warrior, to be exact, from the set of the Puccini opera “Turandot” which was performed in summer of 2016. Weighing in at some 600 kilograms, the figure was installed by crane at the company’s Head Office in Lauterach on September 14, where it stands proudly and peacefully amid the ferns in the inner courtyard.

The Bregenz Festival is marking a special anni versary in 2016. Its first premiere – in 1946 – was celebrated on a floating stage that was set on two sand and gravel barges. At the inaugural event Mozart’s comic opera “Bastien and Bastienne” was performed every day for a week. Today the festival lasts six times as long.

The warrior left the floating stage for the company’s Head Office in Lauterach.

3 5

Rejoicing and resting 1 Events for customers A good relationship offers a platform for successful cooper ation, and the reverse is often true as well. For this reason Gebrüder Weiss constantly seeks opportunities to empha size the one factor that makes workaday life more pleasant for everyone: personal contact. The German reformer Martin Luther noted centuries ago that “Man does not serve God by labor alone, but by rejoicing and resting as well.”

1. Trip along the Inn Valley

31 Highlights Austria Slovenia Germany

As a nun, Luther’s wife Katharina had learned how to brew beer at the convent, so she served her husband a homemade variety. The guests of the Passau branch, by contrast, took to the water: on Europe’s first brew ship. Passengers were inducted into the art of brewing by the captain himself, and given the chance to evaluate their success en route. Perhaps, as with Luther, it will become their favorite brew at home, too! 2. Heading south

DPD magically transported Italy to Vienna for its customers, hosting an atmospheric dinner on Wilhelminenberg Mountain amid fieldstone walls and olive trees. The weather delivered on cue, supplying summery temperatures. 3. Full speed ahead into spring

At the tenth annual Gebrüder Weiss Spring Festival in Maria Saal, organizers and guests alike again demonstrated their movement and mobility skills: table football equipment was available, as was a goal for penalty shootouts. However, as in previous years, kart racing proved the day’s biggest hit. 4. Dolce Vita in Lauterach

In Lauterach as well, some 80 customers and their families got the Italian bug as the hosts and guests celebrated an event headlined “Bella Italia.” 5. French evening

Occasioned by the European Soccer Championship in France, the DPD depot in Sulz hosted a French evening at the historic factory grounds in Hohenems, Vorarlberg. Guests were served specialties from various regions of France along with wine from Provence – and given the chance to showcase their ball skills in DPD’s “human table soccer” tournament. 6. BBQing like a pro

To ensure that nothing was left to chance for this summer’s BBQ season, the DPD depot in Hall organized a BBQ seminar at the Speckbacher Hof hotel in Tyrol. Following instructions by a professional trainer, the novices turned theory into practice – and, needless to say, feasted on the fruits of their labors at the end.

7. Networking on the greens

It’s no secret that there are few better opportunities to nurture personal relationships than over a game of golf. This principle motivated the Gebrüder Weiss team in Slovenia to join forces with the country’s daily paper Finance and host a repeat golf event for customers and partners. Some 100 attendees flocked to the Diners Golf & Country Club Ljubljana for a final day on the greens before the season ended. 8. Cherry Blossom Festival: Osaka meets Hamburg

On the evening of May 20, the heavens above Hamburg’s Alster lake lit up in a kaleidoscope of colors. Every year the fireworks display accompanying the city’s Cherry Blossom Festival draws thousands of onlookers to the lake and its banks. The WOAC team (Weiss Ocean + Air Cargo) used the occasion to celebrate its traditional summer event with customers, partners and staff– and invited customers from Hamburg, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia on a cruise starting at Hamburg’s Alsterfleet. 9. Soccer fever

The beautiful game and a beautiful bash: the European Soccer Championship arena at Innsbrucker Sparkassenplatz was transformed into a publicviewing hotspot during the tournament. Gebrüder Weiss Tyrol invited customers and partners to watch several live matches from the VIP box.

32 Corporate Responsibility Austria Switzerland Slovenia Macedonia

Rejoicing and resting 2 Events for staff The same applies to relations with co-workers: the better we communicate, the better we cooperate. Unfortunately, there isn’t always much time for personal interaction during working hours – but all the more on excursions and other get-togethers. 1. Assault on the castle

The 75 employees at Gebrüder Weiss Pöchlarn celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their site at Aggstein Castle on the Danube. After completing the ascent to the ruins, the team went on a tour of the fortress. Live music and a pyrotechnic display provided the entertainment in the evening. Dispatcher Franz Linsberger won the grand prize in the tombola: three extra days of paid vacation. “It was a really great party that strengthened the team spirit of our employees,” said Branch Manager Gebrüder Weiss Pöchlarn Bernhard Schartmüller.

2. Eat up!

At work there isn’t normally much time for a relaxing exchange with colleagues, least of all during the peak period when work sometimes extends into the evening. So staff at the Gebrüder Weiss site in Slovakia were doubly delighted to be invited to a Bavarian meal at the start of the fall season. “Can’t we do this every Friday?” some asked. Unfortunately not – because the weather isn’t as welcoming at the end of every week. 3. Go Switzerland!

The apprentices at Gebrüder Weiss Pratteln in Switzerland organized the site’s annual summer festival this time around. Their training instructor Sascha Komposch (Director of Logistics Solutions & Ware house L ogistics, Gebrüder Weiss Pratteln) takes up the story: Natalie Comment, Daniel Tunaj, Danyck Rouiller, Daniel Pachnis and Saron Apputhurai had soon come up with the theme for the festival: “Hopp Schwiiz!” or “Go Switzerland!” – the rallying cry for the Swiss national soccer team at the European Championship in France, which began the same day. The party kicked off with an aperitif at 6 p.m. All the members of staff were then given the chance to show off their soccer skills, knowledge of the European Championships and logistics expertise in a special competition. Afterwards everybody made for the BBQ and salad buffet before securing their seats for the live screening of the opening match. As a token of gratitude for their efforts, the apprentices were treated to a day’s outing at the Europa theme park in Rust, Germany. 4. All’s well that ends well

To motivate his employees for the new year, Branch Manager Saso Dimoski at Gebrüder Weiss Macedonia hosted a teambuilding event in December at the Mavrovo National Park (northwest Macedonia). “Everybody had a fantastic time and we came up with lots of new ideas for 2017,” Dimoski said. “I know for sure that we are a great team – and ideally prepared for the challenges ahead.”

# Proof of performance? Passed!

33 Corporate Responsibility Germany Romania

Certified sites

“The certifications give us the confidence that we are meeting the standard requirements. We particularly welcome the reports. They offer additional transparency and help to identify areas where there is still room for improvement.” Arnd Hoppe, C entral Health, Safety, E nvironment and Quality Management

The need for cleanliness and hygiene may be selfevident, but awareness of their importance was reinforced at Gebrüder Weiss Memmingen through the award of the IFS Logistics Certificate.

certificate isn’t just a piece of paper. It can reflect a set of standards and even a mindset. Take the ISO 14001 certificate, which enumerates the requirements for environmental management systems around the world. It champions a trinity of legal compliance, environmental impact identification, and the need to draw up an environmental policy. The company’s locations in Jeneč and Dunaharaszti have now earned certification in accordance with ISO 14001. As such they have joined Toronto and numerous other locations in Austria, Switzerland and Germany that have been certified for years. The International Featured Standard (IFS) lays down auditing benchmarks for companies providing logistics services for food and other products that require enhanced levels of hygiene; the focus is on storage, transport, and loading and unloading. Following the initial audit last year, the Gebrüder Weiss branch in Memmingen had its IFS certification renewed during the summer. The logistics hub operated by the company’s Romanian branch in Bolintin-Deal also satisfied the strict requirements and was awarded the IFS certificate for food and hazardous goods. According to the inde pendent certification agency Bureau Veritas, no other logistics provider in Romania has earned the seal of approval in this category.

Presence extended: ÂGebrĂźder Weiss has opened a third branch in Russia.

34 Logistics Russia Turkey Germany

Construction, conversion, expansion New growth in the orange network

The port of Izmir is the top freight exporter in Turkey.

Network grows in Russia Since the end of 2016, Gebrüder Weiss has been operating from a total of three locations in Russia. The latest addition is an office in northwest ern Moscow that, by focusing on land transport services, will complement the Air & Sea service center near the city’s airport. The third branch, which also specializes in land transport, is located in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny in Tatarstan (southwestern Russia).

In Esslingen c elebrations marked the end of construction (left), in Aldingen (right) its start.

Turkey: Izmir becomes a new Air & Sea hub In Turkey too, Gebrüder Weiss extended its footprint and opened a new Air & Sea office in Izmir. The office in the southwest corner of the country will partner with the Istanbul branch, which opened in 2014. Situated strategically close to the Bayrakli business district, Gebrüder Weiss can now offer consulting and planning services to transport customers in the southern Aegean. With some 4.1 million inhabitants, Izmir is the country’s third largest city and its second largest container port after Istanbul. The free trade zone in the south of the city offers a comprehensive infrastructure for international companies, plus outstanding links to the national road network and the nearby air- and seaports. New handling facility opened in Esslingen September marked the opening of a new handling facility in Esslingen, Baden-Württemberg. Equipped with improved soundproofing, energy- efficient lighting and modern surveillance systems, it offers security- related, technological and ecological features that meet cutting-edge standards. Customers have benefited from enhanced handling efficiency, shorter delivery times and more dependable schedules. Aldingen: new logistics terminal Customers are increasingly looking for ways of outsourcing their warehousing operations. To ensure capacity for Euro-pallets and bulky goods at all times, a modern logistics terminal is being built at the Aldingen site in southern Germany. The work is due to be completed by spring of 2017. Memmingen location enlarged The extensive construction work in the Bavarian town of Memmingen was completed in 2016. With two new warehouses and a major extension to its handling facility, the location is now capable of processing its increased order volumes on site.

35 Land Transport High-tech Cooperation Germany Austria

“We are thrilled to have been able to partici pate in this research project. Secured ‘intelli gent’ and networked parking spaces are a huge topic for us, especially in the high-tech and high-value sectors. We hope this will help us take a quantum leap forward when it comes to safe and secure transport.” Alexander Horak, Director of High-Tech Clusters at Gebrüder Weiss

Reserve, park, recuperate Bosch and Gebrüder Weiss are developing a digital parking system for trucks

e sharp rise in land transport in recent years has not only h impacted traffic volumes on German highways, but caused a bottleneck in available parking space as well. Designated truck parking areas, which drivers desperately need to comply with driving and rest period guidelines, have become overcrowded. It is estimated that the German autobahn alone is short of some 14,000 parking spaces. This has resulted in more traffic accidents due to improperly parked trucks, blocked access roads to service stations and restaurants, an increase in cargo theft and a corresponding hike in insurance premiums. To alleviate the situation, Robert Bosch GmbH, in cooperation with Gebrüder Weiss, has developed “Bosch Secure Truck Parking” (BSTP), a system designed to guarantee safe parking in the future. Logistics companies, dispatchers and drivers will be able to locate and reserve parking spaces utilizing a digital platform or dedicated plug-ins for apps, navigation systems and FleetBoard mobile services. In addition to the digital concept, Bosch intends to set up special safe parking areas at truck stops which are equipped with access monitors, video surveillance and appropriate lighting. At the end of May 2016, Bosch rolled out the first pilot phase at its Karlsruhe location, providing a test area with parking space for up to 60 trucks. For its part, Gebrüder Weiss has been examining options for offering its own parking lots at company locations in the future.

Let it roll! A video on the new system has been produced in conjunction with MAKOM and the Gebrüder Weiss locations in Memmingen and Esslingen.

Good neighbors New order for Zumtobel

ebrüder Weiss is now taking over much of the Zumtobel Group’s distribution logistics between the Vorarlberg region and Eastern Europe. The partnership between the two Austrian companies is nothing new: for many years they have enjoyed a relationship built on mutual trust and respect. For the brands Zumtobel, Tridonic and Thorn – all of which belong to the Zumtobel Group of lighting systems manufacturers – Gebrüder Weiss now provides air, sea and land transportation s ervices in Europe, Asia and Australia. It handles all of Tridonic’s storage logistics at its Lauterach location, as well as in Singapore and Shanghai. The entire warehousing infrastructures are being upgraded to European standards in the two Asian cities – from paperless commissioning through to the packaging and transportation systems.

“Our two companies have sustained a business relationship for over three decades. We have intensified our collabora tion in recent years in the area of land transport, particular ly in Italy and the United Kingdom. We are also delighted to be handling services to Eastern Europe, where we already have

36 Logistics Eastern Europe

a firmly established network of our own.” Michael W ohlgenannt, Branch Manager G ebrüder Weiss L auterach

trength comes S in numbers Truck convoys in freight transport

37 Traffic Autonomous Driving United States

hy should trucks always rumble along solo on the highways? ogetherness is the much better route – and the concept behind T the inception of vehicle connectivity and autonomous driving. Developers are working on a system designed to coordinate autonomously-driven trucks in mini convoys. It’s called platooning. One vehicle leads and up to three others follow in its wake, harnessing the slipstream like cyclists in a race. This reduces diesel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to ten percent, while the smaller spaces between the trucks frees up more space on the road, facilitating a smoother traffic flow. Platooning was developed chiefly for straight stretches of highway with a consistent traffic flow. The method has only been possible on test tracks in Europe to date; automakers anticipate its introduction by 2020. At the end of 2016 Michigan became the first state in the U.S. to create a legal framework for platooning on its highways.

Management Board m ember Wolfram Senger-Weiss spoke at the “3PL-Summit Europe” on the Gebrüder Weiss approach to “One Belt, One Road.”

On an equal footing Trade fairs and industry events Fairs are like class reunions for entire industries: allowing opportunities to network and exchange the latest news and views. In 2016, the focus was on events in the automotive and high-tech industries. Amsterdam Flanking its own high-tech campaign which had commenced shortly before, Gebrüder Weiss presented its services at the leading high-tech logistics convention for the second time. Its participation had the desired effect: a strong promotional message reached key decision-makers and new contacts were established. The Gebrüder Weiss team also profited from the professional dialog on current trends such as the Internet of Things, big data, analytics and multi-channel technologies. Budapest Already something of a jour fixe in the Gebrüder Weiss trade fair calendar, the “TRANSLOG Connect” Congress in Budapest represents one of the l eading platforms for the logistics industry in Central and Eastern Europe. The Gebrüder Weiss sales team provided detailed information about its portfolio and also informed customers about its intermodal services b etween Europe and Asia.

38 Highlights Automotive Netherlands Czech Republic Serbia Germany Switzerland Hungary

Prague, Frankfurt, Novi Sad

At the “Automotive Forum” in Prague, the “Forum Automobillogistik” in Frankfurt and the “Conference SEE Automotive – Connect & Supply 2016” in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, Gebrüder Weiss strategically positioned itself in 2016 as the automotive sector’s logistics expert at the key trade fairs in Central and Southeastern Europe. Gebrüder Weiss Czech officially partnered Prague’s “Automotive Forum”, the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, and was the only representative of the logis tics industry chosen to present its service portfolio on an exclusive basis. Venlo, Zurich Industry-wide events offer ideal platforms for publicizing pivotal corporate strategies – such as the land transport development of the Silk Road route. A case in point: Gebrüder Weiss was one of the exhibitors at the internation al logistics conference “3PL Summit Europe,” and its Management Board member Wolfram Senger-Weiss delivered a talk there on the growing sig nificance of the intercontinental links between Europe and China. Trans port services along the Silk Road also featured as a topic at the Swiss “Logistics and Distribution” fair.

At the “TRANSLOG Connect” in Budapest

Die Teilnahme an wichtigenJobmessen ist für die Personalentwicklung selbstverständlich. Am Messestand findet häufig der Erstkontakt mit zukünftigen Lehrlingen statt

One highlight of the apprentices’ training: a week-long camp

Welcome to the orange world – traineeships at Gebrüder Weiss

t the start of September 2016, 60 trainees embarked upon their careers at Gebrüder Weiss in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Their chosen professions: forwarding agent, logistics operator, IT technician and truck driver. Some 200 experts specialized in working with young people are in place to support the apprentices during their threeor four-year training program at Gebrüder Weiss. New subscribers to “dual training” system

39 Corporate Responsibility

A vocational system that has long proven its worth in Austria, Germany and Switzerland spread to other European countries during 2016: the so-called “dual training” system, whereby apprentices divide their time between on-the-job experience and classroom instruction. In Serbia, Gebrüder Weiss became one of eight pilot companies to offer the format. Gebrüder Weiss Slovakia is also promoting the new initiative, having launched a joint apprenticeship program with the German-Slovakian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Recruiting: following the road to success with direct dialogs and “storytelling”

Our human resource managers move mountains to help secure highly motivated, capable employees for Gebrüder Weiss: to this end they represent the company at job and career fairs, give talks to school students and increasingly harness social media. For the online careers portal “watchado,” the company produced 24 videos at its Maria Lanzendorf site. In these, both experienced staff and trainees describe their experiences at Gebrüder Weiss.

“Good work isn’t only recognized at Gebrüder Weiss. It gets reward ed, too. Lots of doors open if you are inter ested and willing to take

Today a Gebrüder Weiss trainee, tomorrow a Gebrüder Weiss employee

This was the theme chosen for the company’s apprentices’ camp for 2016, an event to which final-year trainees are traditionally invited: 65 young people from Austria, Germany and Switzerland spent a week profiting from workshops, discussions and outdoor teambuilding activities in Salzburg.

the initiative. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been with the company. It’s what you can do and how hard you work that count. I’ve seen that for myself plenty of times over the past three years.” Marcel Fink, fourth-year apprentice, IT technician, G ebrüder Weiss IT Team, Kennelbach

“I chose this career above all because there is so much variety. Every day is different and brings new challenges. In our office, things are always buzzing. I like that, but freight forwarding might not be the ideal career if you prefer a quieter life.” Pia Kröpfl, first-year apprentice, freight forwarding agent, GW Air & Sea, Wolfurt

Corporate Responsibility Orange College

On the move Training and further education programs at Gebrüder Weiss

eping things moving is not only the Gebrüder Weiss modus e operandi – it’s also a corporate creed. New services, expanded networks, updated technologies, modified strategies: all of these things require not only well-trained employees, but colleagues who are willing to grow with the company, shoulder responsibility and tackle new challenges as well. To promote this, Gebrüder Weiss offers a wide- ranging program of training and further education options – extending from one-off seminars and workshops (Orange College) through to courses lasting several years.

Rising to the challenge – the aspiring managers from the West region (fifth from right: Lena Haubold- Frommherz, Manager, HRD Region West)

Course for budding managers Several of the more comprehensive further-education courses finished in 2016, including “Budding Managers West.” The series of seminars, which lasts about a year, commenced in 2015 and targets management potential in the company’s West region (Vorarlberg, Switzerland, Tyrol and southern Germany). The course content is designed to thoroughly prepare participants for their new management tasks, enabling them to adapt quickly to the challenges they will face in their leadership roles. One especially helpful part of the process: first-hand reports and prac tical tips from the various Branch Managers who give talks.

There was a lot to learn during the 18-month Orange FUTURE course.

Orange FUTURE In September young graduates and high potentials from Austria, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland and Romania completed their 18-month international course Orange FUTURE. In addition to gaining specialist knowledge, the 24 participants were able to hone their soft skills such as conflict management, negotiating techniques and intercultural competence in the various course segments. Orange PRO The most intensive training program – lasting four years – is Orange PRO. It addresses employees who already have some experience in management. The goal is to promote their further development to become professional and responsible leaders. The second installment ended in 2016.

“One very important aspect of x-time was the interaction and cooperation between matrix and line man agers. This proved a success. The participants took home lots of fresh ideas and impressions from which the entire or ganization will profit in our opinion.” Helmut Schöpf, Manager, Central Human Resource Development

Orange DISPO In contrast, the single-year Orange DISPO program was staged for a second time in 2016. The syllabus of the shorter, international course for dispatchers includes subjects such as business administration, networking, personality development, and technical topics relevant to freight forwarding. Professional dispatch services are of pivotal importance for every logistics provider, which makes it all the more essential that dispatchers possess comprehensive knowledge of their fields. An international approach is key here as well: the participants hail from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. x-time exchange At the end of November, some 50 employees convened for a special three-day event. They were taken from the total of 125 participants that have attended the various group courses over the past six years (Orange PRO, Orange MATRIX, Orange Experts and Orange SALES Management Curriculum). The main theme of the get-together: expanding cooperation and internal networking.

Highlights

The winners in the four categories were delighted to accept the awards on behalf of their teams.

In the limelight! The Orange Championship Award

ebrüder Weiss stands out with a strong corporate culture founded n the pillars of independence, sustainability, commitment and o service excellence. The Orange Championship Award, which was pres ented in 2016 for the first time, sets out to anchor these four principles even more firmly in corporate life. Each member of management was invited to submit exceptionally successful projects that demonstrated one of these principles in action. At the end 53 projects were evaluated, with a winner being selected for each of the four categories.

Reaping the rewards of success: the gold trophy

Winner of the Orange Championship Award Commitment “Last year we faced one challenge after another. It all started with our relocation to the new terminal, followed by its extension in the summer. In the fall we took over warehousing, commissioning and national distribution services for Henkel. The entire team in Bulgaria did an outstanding job. Their commitment was tangible – from one end of the company to the other.” Marieta Grigorova , GW Bulgaria

Winner of the Orange Championship Award Sustainability “We received the award for expanding our business with the mail order company Unito and for acquiring a new contract to deliver goods to end-consumers for the logistics company Hermes Einrichtungs Service. With eight depots in Austria, we can now offer a nationwide service with fast delivery, two-man handling, fitting and installation, and follow-up. The transition took effect in the run-up to the vacation season, and the bulk of new consignments hit us right in our peak delivery period. But the staff pulled out all the stops and showed tremendous determi nation. That really impressed our customers.” Peter Schafleitner, GW Salzburg

Winner of the Orange Championship Award Independence “Continuity, an entrepreneurial approach and a top team inevitably produce top results. In the project that I submitted, we showed how Pöchlarn continuously improved its results and turned itself into a branch capable of lasting success. This also highlighted the crucial importance of sustained profitability if Gebrüder Weiss is to retain its independence on the market.” Bernhard Schartmüller, GW Pöchlarn

Winner of the Orange Championship Award Service Excellence “By putting Service Excellence to practice – through the combined effort of our operational units, key account management and many other stakeholders in the group – we were able to outperform top competitors and succeed in implementing a lead logistics concept for Hewlett-Packard in Europe. The exceptional achievements of numerous team members and the consistent improvements that ensued in our relations with the customer exemplified our credo of Service Excellence to outstanding effect.” Andreas Zwerger, GW Maria Lanzendorf

The “Takayama Mega Solar” project in Gumna realized by ISOLUX Engineering: at a cost of 90 million euros, it produces 34 gigawatt hours per year, reducing CO2 emissions by 12,000 metric tons.

Renewable energies

Air & Sea Logistics Japan

apan advances its solar energy program J with help from Gebrüder Weiss

apan is now the world’s third-largest market for solar energy systems (photovoltaics, or PV). The high-tech Asian economy currently generates 15 % of its electricity from renewable sources. Recently an enormous 82-hectare photovoltaic plant – containing 100,638 solar panels – was built by ISOLUX Engineering G. K . under EPC Agreement on the site of a former golf course. That not only marked a giant leap forward, but also required a gigantic logistics operation. Under project director Miguel Puig, the local GW team played a pivotal part. It imported components from Spain by air and sea freight, handled customs clearance, provided interim storage for the parts, loaded them onto trucks and transported them to the site. Proving exceptionally wellsuited to its role, the Group’s Japanese branch minimized transport costs thanks to warehousing options at multiple locations near the port. Dem onstrating their ample experience in delivering oversized and heavy components, its staff expertly coordinated the timing for the shipments to ensure that everything was on site on time for installation.

Clean energy for Japan

In 2012, in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the Japanese government launched its “Feed-in Tariff Pro gram.” The aim was to bolster the country’s power supply system with electricity from solar and other renew able sources. The national target – to generate 28 gigawatts using PV by 2020 – has already been com fortably exceeded, with 33.3 gigawatts being produced in 2015.

Hustle and bustle reigns in Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital, particularly on the roads. The moped remains unchallenged as cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite mode of travel, although the proportion of households with cars is steadily rising.

Hung Pham (far right) and his colleagues in Hanoi

Air & Sea Vietnam

Chào Vietnam! Busy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

ince 2011 Gebrüder Weiss has been cooperating with the logistics provider Röhlig in Vietnam. The joint venture is now being pro gressively unwound, as a result of which the two brands will be trading under their own names again in the medium term. The operational collaboration will remain unchanged, as will relations with partners and customers. And the two offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where a total of 21 women and men are currently employed, will continue to operate under the Gebrüder Weiss brand.

At the start of the year, a 2,165-meter long Doppelmayr cable car service began operation in Vietnam – making it the largest such system in the world. It can transport some 2,000 passengers an hour in each direction, mastering a difference in elevation of 88.5 meters as it crosses Ha Long Bay. Each of the twin-story cabins can hold up to 230 passengers. Including the application for planning per mission, the project took 19 months to complete.

The Gebrüder Weiss team in Ho Chi Minh City

The head of the tunnel drilling machine “Sissi” (diameter: 9.43 meters) after completing the final stage of the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Construction Projects Traffic

Connections

wo centuries ago the Prussian philosopher Wilhelm Friedrich von umboldt had already identified social interaction as the key to H personal well-being: “Ultimately, it is our connections with others that render life meaningful.” But connections of other types also make our world a happier place. These include transport connections. And during the past year, some remarkable examples have come to fruition. Through the Alps At a length of 57 kilometers, the new Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland contains the world’s longest subterranean railway line. Since June 1, 2016, it has linked the German-speaking canton of Uri with the country’s Italian-speaking region of Ticino. All in all, 308 kilometers of track was laid in the tunnel’s twin bores. Some 1,900 electric cabinets distribute sufficient power to every section, while 7,200 lights ensure good visibility and safety during emergencies. A total of 240 freight services are pro jected to complement the 50 passenger trains that currently pass through daily.

Top: Opening of the third bridge over the Bosphorus Bottom: A section of bridge over the Pearl River delta

Across the Bosporus A third bridge joining the Asian and European parts of Istanbul has been completed. The 1.4-kilometer suspension bridge has four lanes for cars and a track for high-speed trains in each direction. The pillars supporting it are 320 meters high – their counterparts on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco measure 227 meters. Over the Pearl River delta At 35 kilometers, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge spans the Pearl River’s delta between China and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The project includes both bridge sections and road tunnels. As the water is about 20 meters deep and therefore relatively shallow, the bridges are generally supported on piles. Two cable-stayed bridges are planned to allow ships to pass, while an approx imately 5.5-kilometer tunnel has been built beneath the main shipping channel, with man-made islands at either end. The project was finished in September at a cost of roughly 15 billion U. S. dollars. From sea to shining sea Two years later than planned, the expansion of the Panama Canal was completed following a nine-year construction project. As a result, ships of the so-called post-Panamax class – which carry up to 14,000 con tainers – can now navigate the waterway. Derived from the sizes of its locks, the Panamax dimensions specified the maximum size of ships permitted through the canal.

Opened in 1914, the 82-kilometer Panama Canal dissects the central American country.

costa rica

Caribbean Sea

Colón

Gatun Lake

Panama Canal Colón Panama Balboa

GatunLocks

panama

Panama Canal gulf of panama

Columbia

Pacific (Ocean)

Gatun Lake

Pedro-Miguel-Lock

Miraflores-Locks

Panama

Land Transport Highlights Austria

Distinguished 1 “Partner of the Year” once again

system alliance Europe

61 partners operating 195 companies in 32 European countries delivered a total of 4,044,784 shipments in 2016 (up 3.37 % over the previous year)

Gebrüder Weiss is a member of the System Alliance Europe (SAE). This is a European federation of independent, medium-sized grouped goods distributors which guarantees high quality standards, trans parent processes and dependable services – all underpinned by shared organizational and IT-related imperatives. The benefit: when cus tomers approach their regional providers, they can call on the pooled expertise of a pan-European consolidated cargo platform. At the SAE’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Copenhagen in May 2016, Gebrüder Weiss was named “Partner of the Year” for the second time in a row. Together with Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Germany), Norsk Trailer Express (Norway) and TransFargo (Sweden), Gebrüder Weiss was also awarded the “Innovator of the Year” prize.

transported 1,602 million metric tons of freight in 2016

“We are overjoyed to be chosen as ‘Partner of the Year’ and ‘Innovator of the Year.’ On the one hand the awards are a sign of recognition. But they also stiffen our resolve to keep improving the quality of our services.” Walter Konzett, Head of Product Management, Land transport

Martin Ohneberg (Vorarlberg Federation of Industry), Helmut Steurer (Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce), Heidi and Paul Senger Weiss, the publisher Eugen A. Russ, Heinz Senger-Weiss.

Award for lifetime achievement Heidi and Paul Senger-Weiss were awarded the Vorarlberg Business Forum’s prize in November 2016 in recognition of their lifetime contri bution to commerce. Eugen A. Russ emphasized the purpose of the accolade in his adress: “Few people succeed in not only sustaining a traditional company like Gebrüder Weiss but in taking it to the next level. It requires courage, dedication, hard work, and an intuitive understanding of customers and employees to establish the kind of company that creates jobs and prosperity. Exceptional individuals like these are our inspiration. They are inspiring, and we can learn from them.”

Not in Vorarlberg but, in November, Jackie Chan also was distinguished with an accolade for lifetime achievement. He received the Academy Honorary Award, one of the three Governors Awards of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Since starting his career at the age of eight, Chan has been involved in over 150 movies as an actor, stuntman, director and screenwriter. The jury hailed him as a true pioneer and a legend in his profession.

Corporate Responsibility Romania Germany Austria Switzerland

Distinguished 2 Gebrüder Weiss Romania honored by award from “Green Business Index” Every year the Romanian “Green Business Index” (GBI) selects the country’s most eco-friendly companies and awards prizes in seven different categories. Gebrüder Weiss Romania subjected its operations to the scrutiny of a multiple-member jury of environmental experts and more than held its own by taking second place in “Sustainable Development.” Among other factors, the key criteria behind this excellent rating were the in-house measures for reducing CO2 emissions and cutting back energy consumption. A total of 400 companies took part in the competition.

BEST RECRUITERS –

Gebrüder Weiss makes the Top 20 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland Our Human Resources Development unit has also achieved recognition for its dedication to quality. In the largest annual study of corporate recruiting departments in German-speaking countries, Gebrüder Weiss took 16th place. The BEST RECRUITERS study evaluates how would-be employees are treated throughout the job application process. The 2016 study extended to 1,520 top employers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

“Making good things better is some thing our HR development section does very well. Repeating its showing from the previous year, Gebrüder Weiss was again awarded the silver BEST RECRUITERS seal (for Austria) in the fall of 2016.” Monika Mandl, Manager Human Resources, Region East, Gebrüder Weiss

You look great! You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. True to these words, the Gebrüder Weiss Annual Report is now sporting a fresh look. The first edition won the “Red Dot Award: Commu nication Design” and the “German Design Award,” both top accolades in the world of design and communications. Presented in November in Berlin, the Red Dot Award recognizes the year’s most creative campaigns, concepts and marketing strategies world wide. The German Design Award honors innovative products and projects that blaze new trails through the German and international design landscape.

From left: Judith Gebhardt-Dörler, Frank Haas (MAKOM) and Miriam Holzapfel from Groothuis, the agency supervising the project

Stopover

“Creating integrated logistics solutions that generate added value for our customers: that’s an objective we have successfully achieved again in 2016. Whether we are executing logistics proj ects in Dubai or building a new bonded warehouse in Singapore,

we are continuously expanding our full-service offerings around the world. Thanks to capable employees and the outstanding knowledge transfer within our network.” Harry Stiastny, Director of Corporate Logistics, Gebrüder Weiss

Not just hot air Transporting balloons to the World Championships

t the end of October 2016, 105 of the world’s top balloon pilots converged on Saga, Japan, for the twenty-second World Hot Air Balloon Championships. With Saga considered the mecca of Asian ballooning, the event proved a true crowd-puller: an average of 115,000 spectators attended each day, producing a grand total of 1.1 million. What was more, in addition to several of their international counterparts, almost every Japanese TV station covered the event – in some cases live. Transport and customs clearance pose major challenges before every such event. On the one hand, the teams want to keep their balloons for as long as possible so that they can practice in familiar surroundings; this delays departures. On the other, the logistics have to be planned with meticulous care to avoid missing the deadline for arrival. In that event, the budgets – around 22,000 euros per team – would literally be gone with the wind. Transporting the balloons is a complex matter. After all, the cargo is an aircraft that requires various permits and documentation. So they left nothing to chance in their quest for a partner with the experience and professionalism needed: and ended up choosing Gebrüder Weiss. Given the tight schedule, the air route from Europe via Fukuoka was chosen. On the return journey, everything was transported by sea. The next World Championships in 2018 will be less of a challenge for the Austrian teams: it is taking place on home ground – or rather in home airspace.

Logistics Japan Austria

Fedor Konyukhov set a new world record in 2016 when he circumnavigated the globe from Australia in his hot air balloon. By completing the trip in just eleven days, he sliced 48 hours off the previous record held by Steve Fossett. But the 34,820 km round trip was not a bed of roses: inside his gondola he had to cope with ice, snow and temperatures down to –35°C.

Common goals

Corporate Responsibility Sports Sponsorship

peed and stamina are part and parcel of work at any logistics s upplier. So nothing comes more naturally than fostering the same qualities outside the company – by sponsoring international athletes and sports events.

1. Wind in their sails: The “Melges 24” World Championship in Miami, Florida In November 2016, representatives of the international sailing scene flocked to the Miami Beach Arena in Florida, where a total of 70 teams from 14 countries were taking part in the “Melges 24” World Championship. With reigning European champion Chris Rast at the helm, the Gebrüder Weiss-branded boat from the Swiss team EFG was at the starting line. Gebrüder Weiss also transported the M24 yacht from Mem mingen to Miami, a delicate task. To this end, it secured the M24 in a special c radle and kept it safe on its journey to the United States. 2. Gebrüder Weiss Aldingen promotes horsepower For many years, Gebrüder Weiss Aldingen has been sponsoring the “Festival of Horses” in Donaueschingen, Baden-Württemberg, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016. Some 20,000 spectators cheered on Olympic champions and local heroes alike at the international equestrian event.

3. A standout performance: the Gebrüder Weiss team at the Czech Gigathlon This extreme sports event – which comprises the disciplines of cycling, mountain biking, swimming, inline skating and running – was held over two days at the Lipno Reservoir near the Czech borders with Germany and Austria. Competitors could enter individually, as duos or in teams of five. Made up of Jana Servátková, Pavol Petnuch, Petra Chocholatá, Standa Nemeškal and Lukáš Sůva, the team from Gebrüder Weiss in the Czech Republic completed its event in a time of 13 hours, 36 minutes and 17 seconds to claim a magnificent fourth place finish.

4. Disabled skier Martin Würz secures overall victory in Europa Cup Martin Würz from the skiing squad of the Lower-Austrian Disability Sports Association proved too strong for his opponents – and won the Europa Cup at its end-of-season finale in March 2016. For the 22 year old, whose left hand was amputated at the age of 13, it was his biggest achievement to date. “We are proud to sponsor and partner with the association,” says Klaus Bannwarth, Branch Manager at Gebrüder Weiss Graz and the initiator of the agreement. “We both take the view that we need to perform at our peak to achieve goals and distinguish ourselves. There’s no better secret to success!” 5. Ten year old keeps competition in check Leopold Wagner from Vorarlberg may only be ten, but he can become a big name in the chess world. Gebrüder Weiss is supporting the 2014 Austrian chess champion and current German number one in his age bracket. In October – wearing an orange top, orange cap and with a Gebrüder Weiss pennant attached to his board – Leopold took on rivals from Russia, India, China and the United States at the World Junior Chess Championships in Georgia.

The Lower Austrian DisÂ ability Sports Association is an umbrella organization representing eight clubs across the region. It helps people with disabilities to engage in sports near their homes. Supporting young athletes is a major focus of its efforts.

Seeing how, within a few short months, our apprentices make progress and work inde pendently is something that gives me special pleasure on the job. I enjoy challenges too, especially when I can master them together with my co-workers. Spending time with my family and friends, and taking my dog for a walk also make me feel happy. Nina Nowak, HR Development Region West, Maria Lanzendorf, Austria

I’m happy when my family, friends and acquaintances are healthy. I also enjoy going to soccer matches, especially when my team is playing: FC St. Gallen. And I obviously think it’s very cool that Gebrüder Weiss Switzerland advertises at the club. On the work front, I’m glad to be part of the I like it when everything falls into place, leading to win-win situations for everyone: when an idea

growing success of Gebrüder Weiss and watch how the company is expanding its footprint in Switzerland. Thomas Dolente, Internal Sales, Altenrhein, Switzerland

pops up, the implementation goes smoothly, and everyone is satisfied with the result. That’s always a great experience and motivates you to do more. Markus Larcher, Customer Service, WR Toronto

I really enjoy the warm summer evenings and having a nice meal with my friends or family. I also 'get a kick out of' playing sports and supporting my two favorite soccer clubs, Bayern Munich in Germany and Sturm Graz in Austria. On the career front, it's nice to see how Gebrüder Weiss is developing and to be part of the dicall team. Raimund Propst, Division Manager, Market Research, dicall Graz, Austria

# Lots of things keep my

Happy Talk

spirits up, but most of all it’s being able to find time for

Staff members tell us about the things that light up their lives

people who are important to me – above all my young daughter and my partner. Often it’s just the little things that mean the most: for instance, when my

I’ve set myself various personal and

daughter gives me a really

professional goals, and achieving them is

nice drawing. But I’m also

always cause for celebration. On the

happy when I’m at work

weekends, of course, spending time with

with my colleagues. We have

family and friends, enjoying a good wine

a great, fun team in our

in pleasant surroundings, or going on a

Project Department.

trip or to a concert – those are my special

Angelika Jakubiec, Air Freight Import, Air & Sea Vienna , Austria

treats. Natasa Mrakovic, LTL Management, GW Dobanovci, Serbia

Most of all I enjoy days or evenings I can spend with my friends. We talk about everything under the sun and laugh a lot. Occasionally during the week my co-workers and I share our I hope that the economic and political situation

thoughts and talk about

in Ukraine settles down soon. Then we can

personal things. I like that

expand the Gebrüder Weiss network and grow

too. Everyone is always

our logistics business sustainably. We would

cheerful – and we all get

all find that very rewarding – in both the personal

along fantastically.

and professional senses of the word. I really value our team spirit: we swap ideas and discuss issues – and we also party together too! I’m very pleased with everything we’ve achieved to date. We’ve done a good job. Volodymyr Tshyka, Operation Manager, Gebrüder Weiss Mukachevo, Ukraine

Jenny Leitmann, Apprentice, Gebrüder Weiss Wels, Austria

Management Board What made 2016 special: the Gebrüder Weiss board looks back

The year 2016 was a successful and yet volatile year, but one in which we took great strides towards our strategic and technological goals. Even in these turbulent times, our core values have remained a cen tral pillar; they remain of pivotal importance in everything we do and strive to achieve. Our Orange Cham pionship Award is a case in point: a vehicle designed to revive and reaffirm our corporate strategy. Peter Kloiber

The year 2016 proved positive for us: we posted good results, made tangible progress in our innovations and general development plans, and can be proud of the commitment we have demonstrated in so many different areas. Thanks to the untiring efforts of our employees and the smooth cooperation between our specialist departments, we were also able to quickly master unforeseen challenges. Wolfram Senger-Weiss

In my view, there are many reasons why 2016 was special. We not only handled the day-to-day challenges, but also set the stage for a better future. With our strong foundations and well-defined focuses, we can continue to grow the orange network and tailor our organization to meet changing conditions. This will enable us to secure our company’s competitiveness in the medium and long term. Wolfgang Niessner, CEO

The GW team pursued its strategy “GW moves (more) global” with great heart, skill and a clear vision, creating a platform for accelerating our growth within and beyond the borders of Europe. We at Gebrüder Weiss can be proud of achieving this milestone. Heinz Senger-Weiss

Rosy prospects The good old days? Was everything really better than it is now? Of course not! When it comes to smarts, health, affluence and education, life has never been so good.

Adult illiteracy worldwide

18 %

2015

14 %

1909 to 2013

up 30 % up

? !

? Access to electricity

IQs

2000

1990

75 % of the world’s population

2012

84.6 % of the world’s population

# Access to drinking water

Outlook

2015

91 % worldwide

1990

76 % worldwide

Global poverty

1820: 1,022 million people live in poverty 1970: 2,218 million people live in poverty 2011: 990 million people live in poverty

↘ year

Global population in %

100 1820

1970

2011

The Gebrüder Weiss Group at a Glance: Subsidiaries, Brands, Joint Ventures Under the umbrella of Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, which is based in Lauterach, Austria, the organisation offers a range of sophisticated subsidiaries and customized solutions – alongside its core competences of overland haulage, air cargo, sea freight and logistics services. This combination allows us to respond quickly and flexibly to our customers’ needs.

DPD Austria | Parcel Service

www.dpd.at

TSSU Tiroler Straße-Schiene- Umschlagsgesellschaft Intermodal rail and road transport www.tssu.at

tectraxx | Services for hi-tech companies www.tectraxx.com dicall Communication, call-centre solutions, market research www.dicall.at FASHIONET

Textile logistics packages www.fashionet.com

SLG | Removals experts

www.slg.at inet-logistics Transport Management Systeme (TMS) www.inet-logistics.com

WOAC Weiss Ocean & Air Cargo Sea and air freight, logistics services www.woac.de

EuroExpress Express delivery services spanning 24 European countries www.euroexpress.at

x|vise Logistics consulting and e-commerce specialist www.xvise.com

GW Rail Cargo | Rail Logistics

Automotive Logistics

Gebrüder Weiss | Automotive logistics Joint venture serving China's automotive industry and its suppliers

www.gw-world.com

Armenia Yerevan Bosnia-Herzegovina Sarajevo Bulgaria Kazanlak

Musachevo

Chengdu

Chongqing

Qingdao Xiamen

Shanghai

Varna China Beijing Dalian

Hong Kong

Shenzhen

Tianjin

Xi’an Germany Aldingen

Frankfurt

Hamburg

Nuremberg

Passau

Kirchheim

Changchun

Nanjing

Urumqi

Dortmund Lindau

Ningbo

Wuhan

Esslingen

Memmingen

Wernau Georgia Tbilisi Japan Tokyo

Osaka Canada Montreal

Toronto

Vancouver Kazakhstan

Almaty Croatia Zagreb Macedonia Skopje Montenegro Podgorica Austria Bludenz Hall

Kalsdorf

Leobendorf Saal

Kennelbach

Leopoldsdorf

Pöchlarn

Schwechat

Salzburg

Wolfurt

Bolintin-Deal

Dolj

Oradea

Nabereschnyje Pfäffikon Bytča

Lauterach

Graz

Leoben

Linz

Maria Lanzendorf

Sulz

Wels

Vienna

Cluj-Napoca

Maria

Vienna

Bacău

Brașov

Constanța

Sibiu Russian Federation Moscow

Chelny Switzerland Altenrhein

Pratteln

Sad-Veternik

Feldkirch

Wörgl Romania Arad

Bucharest Ilfov

Dornbirn

Zurich Serbia Dobanovci

Berne Niš

Novi

Vučje Singapore Singapore Slovakia

Prešov

Senec

Zvolen Slovenia Ljubljana Taiwan

Taipei Thailand Khon Kaen Czech Republic České Budějovice

Hradec Králové

Ostrava-Hrabová Turkey Istanbul Kiev

Jablonec nad Nisou

Ričany-Jažlovice

Syrovice

Hajdúböszörmény Boston

Mosonmagyaróvár Chicago

Dunaharaszti

Győr

Vecsés USA

Los Angeles

United Arab Emirates Dubai Ho Chi Minh City

Plzeň

Izmir Turkmenistan Ashgabat Ukraine

Mukacheve Hungary Biatorbágy

Atlanta

Jeneč

New York

Abu Dhabi Vietnam Hanoi

With heartfelt thanks to all those contributers who made this annual report happen.

Gebrüder Weiss GmbH Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications Bundesstraße 110, A – 6923 Lauterach project management gw Frank Haas, Judith Gebhardt-Dörler idea and concept Gebrüder Weiss. Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications

and Groothuis. Gesellschaft der Ideen und Passionen mbH, Hamburg, www.groothuis.de editors Judith Gebhardt-Dörler, Merlin Herrmann, Simon Holderied, Claudia Saltuari,

Imke Borchers, Miriam Holzapfel Translations for the English edition Gilbert & Bartlett GbR, Hamburg Art Direction Rainer Groothuis layout Sandra Gerstenfeldt, Susan Schulz Producers Raimund Fink, Carolin Beck proofreading Mirjam Gartner, Tessa Scott Lithography Alexander Langenhagen, Edelweiss Publishing, Hamburg printing and binding BULU – Buchdruckerei Lustenau GmbH

imagery and copyright holders

Gebrüder Weiss-Archiv, apart from cover: getty images/Prasit photo; #1 and directory: Pia Bublies (illustration); #2 (left above) and directory: Martin Langer; #2 (right below): Vorarlberger Nachrichten; #3 (right above) Salvador Manaois III / Fotolia; #6 (left): Rainer Groothuis; #7 and directory: ullstein bild – Wodicka; #13 and directory. : N. Faistauer; #20 and directory: EPIC MINUTES PRODUCTION GmbH | Office Tirol; #21 (above) and directory: iStock/isak55; #24 (left) and directory : iStock/suppixz; #25 and directory: Rolls-Royce plc; #27 (left above) and directory : getty images/cescassawin; (right below) #29 iStock; #30 and directory: Bregenzer Festspiele; #34 (third page, below): shutterstock/boyoz; #35 and directory: HUBER IMAGES; #37 and directory: Scania AB; #42 and directory: AKG Images; #43 (left page and right above) and directory : Miriam Holzapfel; #44 (first page) and directory: ullstein bild – Reuters/Christian Hartmann; #44 (third page, above): picture alliance/abaca; #44 (third page, below): dpa; #45 (right above) and directory: Vorarlberger Nachrichten; #49 (first page, left) and directory : Pierrick Contin; #49 (fourth page, right): Lukas Jahn