NETWORKERS - dachser.sk

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NETWORK: UNITED KINGDOM 10 DACHSER magazine In the kingdom of global trade When it comes to success, the UK takes its cues from soccer and relies on the luck of the bold. As the country emerges from the crisis, it is getting ready for logistics’ finest hour. And some keen competition. Dachser has the winning line up. hWas the ball in or not? Geoff Hurst’s shot in the 1966 World Cup final against Germany bounced off the crossbar, hitting or just crossing the line. The referee gave the goal, paving England’s way to World Cup victory. Ever since then, Wembley Stadium has been synonymous with passion, determination and the luck of the bold. British virtues through and through. In 2003, the stadium was pulled down and two years later the new Wembley Arena opened its doors: twice as big, four times as Nick Lowe, Managing Director Dachser Ltd. high – predestined for new legends. For if there’s anything the Brits are more passionate about than their soccer, it’s their continuous reforms. And there have been plenty of those in the history of the Empire. Take, for example, the shift from an industrial society to one based on services. In the 19th century, the notorious island fog was joined by black clouds of soot over Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester. Heavy industry, the coal, iron and steel industries and textiles manufacturing were the archetypical VOICES “I associate the UK with beer, soccer, very black humour and driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.” Harri Märki, IT Coordinator, Dachser Regensdorf, Switzerland “The Greenwich Meridian doesn’t only divide the eastern and western longitudes. It’s also the starting point for the discovery of new horizons by James Cook, Robert Falcon Scott, the Beatles and Pink Floyd.” Dmitry Elokhov, Operational Director, Dachser Russia “When I think of the UK, I think of fish ‘n’ chips, St. Andrews Old Golf Course and superstars like David and Victoria Beckham.” Wanda Lam, Vertical Industries Business Development Manager, Dachser Greater China, Hong Kong In contract logistics we can offer hh considerably more than others. This is where a lot of potential for the future lies Nick Lowe
engines of industrialization for the whole of Europe. Globalization was still largely unheard of, although throughout the Empire with its Commonwealth it had already become a centuries-long reality. As a seafaring nation, England developed a prospering overseas market for British products and controlled international trade. This was followed in the 20th century by the long, slow decline of heavy industry. Other nations had caught up, the technological lead dwindled away. Time for change. The cradle of industrialization gradually became a nation of vendors. The services sector enjoyed steady growth and in the meantime accounts for 73% of the gross domestic product, compared to just 12.4% for the manufacturing industry. Today, more than three quarters of the working population in the UK are employed in the services sector. This structural change has also impacted the logistics industry, which has long been an important sector of the British economy. Every year, 2.3 million employees in 200,000 companies generate revenue in excess of 107.3 billion euros. “Competition in our business is fierce“, confirms Nick Lowe, managing director of Dachser Ltd. “Especially in our core businesses, European Logistics and distribution within the UK, we are very well-positioned on the market.” The field of contract logistics is also being further developped. “Here we can offer considerably more than others. This is where a lot of potential for the future lies.” In flux: the UK is on the move The Kempten-based logistics provider has been active in the British market since 1975 and is a driver of continuous change. In 1982, for example, a new facility was opened on the Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton. In 1999, the company responded to growing demand for external warehousing and value-added services by opening a new warehouse on the same industrial estate for contract logistics. This was followed in 2005 by the new branch in Dartford, just south of London, thus paving the way for sustained success. But, as in nearly every other branch of the economy, this success suddenly slipped out of sight at the end of 2008. With London being one of the world’s key financial marketplaces, the crisis on the financial markets and in the economy hit the UK harder than its European neighbours. Economic output in 2009 plummeted by five percent. While Dachser Ltd. cut costs during this lean spell, it did not reduce warehousing capacities or its staff count. “Our strategy was fully in line with the entire Dachser group,” Lowe says. “When the economy started to pick up again this year, we were therefore in an optimum position to implement our longterm growth plans.” Emerging from the crisis with a record Although the debt-ridden country is only slowly recovering from the adverse consequences of the crisis, Nick Lowe is already anticipating a record year for Dachser Ltd. “We are expecting shipments within Europe, as well as to and from North Africa, to be up by 22%. 140,000 tonnes and 305,000 shipments – that’s our best performance yet.” And that’s not even counting the assets from the Leach acquisition. Dachser took over the logistics and transport business of JA Leach Transport Ltd., based in Rochdale near Manchester, in April and is in the process of integrating it into its own network. This provides Dachser Ltd. with its own location in the north-west of England, which optimally complements the two branches in Dartford and Northampton. “The integration of the new location is fully under way. By January 2011, we are also expecting standardized IT systems to be up and running.” For Dachser country manager Lowe, the successful integration will have fully occurred once the staff, business part- NETWORK: UNITED KINGDOM SHORTHAND United Kingdom Geography: Covering an area of just under 245,000 square metres, the island nation is a union of the formerly independent countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Government: The UK is a parliamentary monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state since 1952. Population: With around 60 million inhabitants, the UK is one of the top three most highly populated countries in the EU and is a founding member of NATO and the United Nations. Economy: In the crisis year 2009, economic performance plummeted by five percent. For 2010, moderate growth of up to 1.5 percent is forecast. ners and customers are all fully accommodated and comfortable within the Dachser world. The integration process is the ta<strong>sk</strong> of a project team, with support from the head office in Kempten as well as from other branches in the Dachser network. The timing appears to be auspicious. In the second quarter of this year, the British economy recorded its strongest growth in nine years. Between April and June, the gross domestic product increased by 1.2% compared to the previous quarter. This awakens renewed sporting ambitions. In the latest representative “Logistics Strategy Survey”, 237 interviewed entrepreneurs place “customer service” and the “search for alternative markets” right at the top of the to-do list. The signs of the times are pointing to change – just like at Wembley. K. Fink DACHSER magazine 11
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