[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Credits: ZUFALL logistics group, ZUFALL logistics group\/Christian Wolter\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”waves2″ bottom_divider_color=”#DFE6EE” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]The food industry is not the only sector in which regionality keeps business in tune with the times. The mid-sized logistics service provider, Zufall Logistics Group, also relies on this factor, thereby setting itself apart from its competitors. \u201cAfter the founding in Kassel in 1928, we originally expanded to Hesse,\u201d reported Sven Kollbaum, an authorised signatory of the company, who is responsible for sea freight business at Zufall. The markets in southern Lower Saxony, eastern Hesse and Thuringia were gradually added. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve since been active in the heart of Germany,\u201d said Kollbaum. The region is often referred to as \u201cZufall territory\u201d by colleagues and long-term customers. As one of the most prominent family-owned companies in Germany, Zufall is represented here with seven of its ten branches. Besides the core business of overland transport, the service portfolio also includes air and sea freight, logistics, customs services, contract logistics and Night Express. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe branches in G\u00f6ttingen, Fulda, Nohra and Haiger have long been active in commercial sea freight.\u201d Following the 2016 takeover of the Hamburg-based Team Trans, with around 25 employees, the strategic approach could have been to concentrate the entire sea freight business on the Elbe, i.e. near the port. \u201cSea freight is, of course, loaded at the port, but teams no longer need to be based there,\u201d explained Kollbaum. \u201cCustomers value being approached regionally,\u201d Kollbaum continued. Moreover, there is simply no compelling reason to make everything central. Instead, the motto is: \u201cstrong regions, strong services, strong headquarters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contrary to other companies, Zufall therefore deliberately keeps firm roots regionally: many customer relationships have existed for decades, and for the people of G\u00f6ttingen and Fulda, our trucks with the blue and orange logo are now part of the furniture. According to Kollbaum, it is precisely from the branches that the regional strength and established market structure can be optimally harnessed, especially since air and sea freight business has become increasingly important at the four large forwarding locations in addition to land transport. <\/p>\n
To this day, the sea freight business remains part of the portfolio for the interregional market, both regionally and in Hamburg. The approx. 75 employees in this division have overseen a sharp increase in turnover, particularly for containers, but also for less-than-container-load cargo (LCL), i.e. breakbulk goods in consolidated containers and project cargo. The company does not wish to publish the exact volume this equates to in TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit). Kollbaum: \u201cOur goal is not to maximise the number of containers transported, but to find and retain the business that suits us.\u201d <\/p>\n
Specifically, this means offering warehouse logistics and logistical advice in addition to the pre- and post-transportation of containers, for example. \u201cIn doing so, we also generate more turnover via additional services and more added value for our customers,\u201d said Kollbaum. A fruitful endeavour. According to preliminary figures, sea freight accounted for around 13.4\u00a0per\u00a0cent of Zufall\u2019s 450\u00a0million\u00a0euro total turnover in 2022. And this trend from previous years is continuing. The share in business from sea freight has steadily increased from 6.7\u00a0per\u00a0cent in 2016, with total turn-over growing. In 2020, it stood at 8.5\u00a0per\u00a0cent, with 2021 seeing double figures for the first time at 11.6\u00a0per\u00a0cent.<\/p>\n
However, traditionally low sales margins in the freight forwarding industry mean turnover is not the only decisive factor. \u201cFirst and foremost, it\u2019s about profitability,\u201d stressed Kollbaum. \u201cIt is not within the sights of many logistics companies, nor capabilities of shipowners, to achieve what we can.\u201d This strategy has another advantage: the company is less affected by fluctuations in the rate than other companies in the industry as a result of offering a combination of services. \u201cThe sea freight rate alone takes a back seat when you are invoicing five services,\u201d explained Kollbaum. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Aufmacher_Luftaufnahme-c-ZUFALL-logistics-group_Christian-Wolter_800.jpg” title_text=”Aufmacher_Luftaufnahme-c-ZUFALL-logistics-group_Christian-Wolter_800″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Zufall Logistics Group relies on a broad service portfolio with land transport, air and sea freight, logistics, customs services, contract logistics and Night Express.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
When it comes to country focus, China comes out top for Zufall in terms of sea freight, ahead of the USA and Southeast Asia. Kollbaum is relatively relaxed about any potential relocation of production from China to other regions \u2013 for example as a result of the pandemic or possible political disruptions \u2013 for several reasons: \u201cSince we don\u2019t have a large country organisation and have also expanded our agent network to encompass different areas in recent years, we are very flexible and can adapt quickly to our customers\u2019 other production sites. Cross trade shipments, for example from India to the Persian Gulf, could also be good business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flexibility in the service portfolio is crucial too. Whilst overland transport remains the core business with a share of over 50\u00a0per\u00a0cent, the weight of business areas such as sea freight is increasing. It is worth noting that ten years ago, land transport made up just over 70\u00a0per\u00a0cent. Kollbaum: \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s important to offer other services such as customs services, air freight, contract logistics and Night Express, as well as to rely on our entire range of services and our expertise.\u201d As a result, the company is now much more broadly positioned with several pillars. <\/p>\n
This also applies in other respects. As opposed to the early days, it is no longer the company claims to only be strong in the regions with branches offering comprehensive services. The central units \u2013 which function as group-wide entities and strategically support and further develop overarching areas such as data management, digitalisation, human relations and sustainability \u2013 also play a key role. Thanks to remote working, this is not contingent on location, and not all teams have to work from G\u00f6ttingen, where the company\u2019s headquarters were relocated in 1942\/43. This is the best position for Zufall as Kollbaum sees it: \u201cWe are where the cargo and our employees are.\u201d (cb)<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Startseite \/ Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_9″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_blurb title=”Facts” admin_label=”Fakten” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”50px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_title=”display: inline-block!important;||background: #002754!important;||padding: 5px 13px 3px 13px!important;||position: relative!important;” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#002754″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” header_text_color__hover=”rgba(255,255,255,0.71)” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\nZufall Logistics Group<\/h4>\n