"The main growth factor was the logistics division and the opening of the new Seifert logistics centre in Ulm North," says Axel Frey (CEO of the Seifert Logistics Group). With an increase in sales of more than 25 percent, the contract logistics division made a significant contribution to the group's continued growth. The growth in sales is due, among other things, to new contract logistics projects at several locations. Existing projects at the Mannheim, Rastatt and Kabelsketal sites were extended and expanded. At the Hambach site, the series operation of an automotive customer started in 2022, which led to an increase in the workforce by 300 employees. Three new locations were opened for depot management as well as warehouse management for a customer in the metal processing industry. In addition to the automotive industry, SLG is thus strengthening its position in the building materials and chemical industries.
In 2022, the transport sector was directly confronted with major challenges due to the war in Ukraine and the associated diesel price issue, as well as the shortage of drivers. Through good working conditions, appropriate remuneration and attractive training, SLG is countering the shortage of skilled workers and was able to grow by around 17 percent in the freight forwarding sector in 2022. The acquisition of BTL Spedition GmbH, strategic new projects for a building materials trader, as well as an expansion of existing transport relations in the automotive and chemical sectors were responsible for the growth. On average, SLG handled 1,500 transports per day last year.
Full speed ahead | Modern and sustainable
In addition to the positive business development, 2022 was a very special year for the contract logistics provider, because the construction project of the new logistics centre in the north of Ulm was completed in the anniversary year. Only 705 days passed from the signing of the contract to the inauguration on 18 November 2022. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 18 May 2021. The five hall areas with more than 100,000 pallet storage spaces and block storage facilities were put into operation piece by piece. The two-week relocation of the administration from the Danube valley to the north of Ulm, which was implemented while maintaining live operations, posed a special logistical challenge.
With regard to the sustainability goals of the corporate group, emissions were reduced through the test use of electric tractor units in the trailer yard at the Rastatt site and the use of an electric truck in local transport in Ulm. After the successful test phase in Rastatt, the tractor unit will go into regular operation in the second quarter of 2023. In addition, a photovoltaic system covering around 40,000 square metres will be commissioned on the roof of the new logistics centre in Ulm, generating 5.5 MWp of electricity. This corresponds to a production of electricity sufficient to supply all 45 locations of the logistics company. In this way, the Seifert Logistics Group is actively helping to reduce the burden on the environment.
Outlook for 2023
For 2023, the logistics company plans to break the 300 million euro mark. "Our employees, and with them sustainable growth, are our top priority," Frey explains. "In order to achieve our ambitious goals, training and further education represent an important point of our corporate strategy, Frey explains further. In addition to training, the Seifert Logistics Group is increasingly focusing on the topic of management development. For example, an 18-month in-service training programme for high potentials was introduced in 2023. In addition, the shift supervisors of the Seifert Logistics Group undergo training in which the participants are given technical and methodological training