Basic HTML Version
FOREWORD
LOGISTICS BUSINESS MAGAZINE
3
Logistics Business Magazine | September 2015
Logistics
Business
:
Dachser is a well-
known German brand, but with the
UK division growing what can you
tell our readers about the company’s
European presence?
For the group, growth in Europe is
constantly important as we strive to
develop the export side of the business
through contract logistics. We can
achieve this by utilising the European
network we have in operation. Within
our UK network we wanted to continue
developing. New branches were
therefore invested in, for example the
plant at Dartford in 2005, and the plant
at Rochdale in 2010. At the beginning
of 2013 we acquired the Spanish
logistics provider, Azkar S.A. which
helped to strengthen our southern
Europe network. The European
exports from other subsidiaries and
from Germany are increasing at
present, which is partly down to market
conditions but also to our focus as our
strategy is to develop and link all the
countries together to discover further
opportunities.
Logistics
Business
:
Within the UK
market, competition is fierce. Which
qualities do you feel Dachser retains
in order to stay ahead of your
competitors?
As you say, competition is fierce;
therefore we need to have a strong
connection with our European network,
meaning that we are able to offer daily
services. As volume grows, you have
opportunities to run direct services
where you have the volume, so you
need to optimise the load factors on
your vehicles in order to become more
competitive. The benefit for Dachser is
that we can go directly or we can use our
comprehensive network via our platform.
We can offer a 72 hour service if
required, whilst showcasing our reliability
and quality. Our ethos sums this up very
effectively, to have a strong focus on
the control of the time frames, shape of
the network and the network rules.
Logistics
Business
:
With nearly 15 years’
experience at Daschser, what are the
key challenges you have identified?
Managing growth is certainly one
of the main challenges we face. We
have seen an 8.5% growth on last
year’s figures, which is encouraging
as our market share increases. But
we have to ensure that we offer a
distinct customer function; after all it
is all about the service. We deal within
a very competitive market, having our
network is one thing but you need
to have the finer details behind the
operations sorted. The customer
needs to get that feeling of trust and to
know what we are doing. If something
goes wrong, we must ensure that we
explain the situation so as to have
good communication on all fronts.
Furthermore we must make sure that
expectations are managed and to
make calculated investment decisions,
like we did with Rochdale and Dartford.
Logistics
Business
:
This year is a
particularly special year for Dachser
in the UK, how will the company be
celebrating the 40 year anniversary?
Well, the official anniversary was
in January and we hosted further
celebrations towards the end of June.
An internal celebration will be arranged
for UK employees and their families. We
want to make it a family event as it has
always been a tradition at Dachser. With
the company still family owned, we feel
it’s important to have the family theme
replicated through the different branches;
it’s the best way to involve our employees
and keep the ethos strong.
Logistics
Business
:
40 years is certainly
impressive, but going forward must
be equally exciting, what are your
predictions?
Looking at a 5 year projection, we are
aiming for steady growth, looking at
replacing branches in Dartford and then
later on in Rochdale in order to reflect
growth. We are also keen to strengthen
our presence in the midlands, north west
and south east as we plan to add further
branches in years to come. Getting a
commercial presence in the area before
developing operations is key.
Driven to Deliver
It is a special anniversary year for Dachser in the UK, combined with a European-
driven goal by the family-owned firm.
Alex Cottard
spoke to Nick Lowe, Managing
Director Dachser UK to get to know one of the leading logistics service providers.