[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” 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=”4.17.6″ min_height=”100px” 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=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/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=”4.23.1″ 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” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]Credits: Mansio[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” 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=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]Maik Sch\u00fcrmeyer, who has a PhD in mechanical engineering, came up with the idea for the start-up while behind the wheel. As a former company consultant, he spent much of his time thinking about all the trucks and how to improve poor vehicle utilisation. \u201cTransport trucks are usually less than half a day on the road,\u201d said Sch\u00fcrmeyer. \u201cThis only improves in multi-shift operation, on ferries and in intermodal transport.\u201d <\/p>\n
Could this principle not be applied to road transport too? Sch\u00fcrmeyer took this idea and founded the start-up MANSIO in 2022. He conducted studies, delved deep into the subject and conducted many interviews with truck drivers, managing directors and heads of shipping, as well as with employer associations, trade unions and lawyers. \u201cOf course, I only interviewed people who wouldn\u2019t steal the idea,\u201d he emphasised. <\/p>\n
The founder did not have any financial support during this phase. \u201cOne problem was that it was such a big vision, for which you\u2019d have to spend years developing a suitable product.\u201d The lean start-up began by developing a small marketable component which digitalises existing relay transports using the first software component, initially focusing on medium-sized freight forwarding companies. Longer routes from hub to hub or from parcel centre to parcel centre, in particular, are a typical form of transport and are covered by CEP service providers, which efficiently organise the drivers and their own tractor units of medium-sized companies. \u201cThe scheduled procedure is the same every day, and the swap body belongs to the CEP company, which is ideal for multi-shift operation,\u201d reported Sch\u00fcrmeyer.<\/p>\n
The complexity lies in communication, as many different parties, each with their own IT systems, are already involved in existing relay transports. For example, the dispatcher and the truck driver need to contact other carriers. If there are delays, the depot needs to be informed. \u201cNot all communication processes are digitalised and automated. To start with, we focused our efforts exclusively on process optimisation,\u201d explained the founder. <\/p>\n
\u201cInnovation then came in the second step. Once we realised how it works, we began to think about where relay transports could be created,\u201d said Sch\u00fcrmeyer. \u201cAnd not just for freight forwarding, but also as part of a network \u2013 in other words, with the corresponding temporal dynamics throughout the company.\u201d[\/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_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” 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_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Digitalisation_800px.jpg” title_text=”Digitalisation_800px” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”||25px||false|false”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The MANSIO start-up currently has ten employees, who are committed to making road transport out of Aachen more efficient, social and eco-friendly.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”||50px||false|false”]A complex optimisation algorithm forms the core of the self-developed transport system and incorporates freight-forwarding master data as well as data about the vehicle, locations, shipment and transport orders. In addition, target functions such as minimising detours, total costs and waiting times are also defined. Other factors need to be considered too, such as loading windows, the technical compatibility of vehicles and the qualifications of drivers for a potential relay.<\/p>\n
The AI ultimately assesses potential locations for relay transports like these and links two or more suitable transport orders. \u201cIt\u2019s not restricted to two-shipment relay transports, but could also include three or four shipments,\u201d continued the CEO. \u201cAnd a group exchange, comprising several vehicles, is also possible, with tractor units meeting at a specified location to switch trailers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The potential for MANSIO is threefold, the first being economical. \u201cWe can cut fixed costs in half with two-shift operation or generate double the sales with the same number of vehicles, which will be all the more important with the investment in clean vehicles increasing to around half a million euros,\u201d highlighted Sch\u00fcrmeyer. <\/p>\n
Rather than delaying the trip with a resting period of 14 hours, the trailer can be switched in 20 minutes and resume its journey. \u201cAs our matching eliminates the journey to pick up cargo for a return trip, we can also prevent empty runs.\u201d Two connected routes \u2013 for example, to southern Spain \u2013 can be completed without being interrupted by resting periods, thereby also speeding up delivery. <\/p>\n
There are also social benefits such as a better balance between family and career if the driver can exchange vehicles after four and a half hours and then turn back. \u201cThat will also make the career much more attractive to women, who now only account for two per cent of all drivers,\u201d reckoned Sch\u00fcrmeyer. Moreover, drivers no longer need to search for a parking space, which is often difficult to find. <\/p>\n
The concept also offers environmental benefits. Whilst many electric vehicles are used for the last mile, the charging infrastructure and range necessary for longer routes are insufficient. \u201cBut it will work if we transform longer routes into shorter ones,\u201d stated the CEO. <\/p>\n
\u201cRoutes between 300 and 1,500 kilometres are especially suitable,\u201d he added. \u201cAnd there shouldn\u2019t be too many relays in a row.\u201d That corresponds with actual transport volumes in European road transport. \u201cThe majority are short routes between 300 and 1,000 kilometres, which means the market is huge for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now financed through a mix of purely financial investors, a funding project and sales, the start-up has already won the Digital Logistics Award for its concept. MANSIO has been collaborating with the ELVIS transport network since summer 2023, and the pilot phase of the new cross-load network kicked off in January with 17 partners. The start-up has also been working with L.OS, the Bosch logistics platform, since December. The defined aim is to become Europe\u2019s no. 1 in relay trucking. \b(cb)<\/em>[\/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_blurb title=”Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”80px||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=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\nMansio<\/h2>\n