DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics on course for success in central and eastern Europe
2004 was the key year. In the first wave of the eastern EU expansion, a large number of former east bloc states were integrated politically and economically into the European Union. DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics recognized the way the tide was moving. The logistics provider launched a series of key steps to expand its network in these new member states, which had traditionally been dominated by central European traditions and were for so long isolated from the west.
Slovakia
In the autumn of 2004, the Hungarian joint venture LIEGL & DACHSER Kft. took a majority shareholding in the Slovakian company LINDBERGH a.s. Today, the company trades under the name of LINDBERGH & DACHSER.
Founded in 1995, the LINDBERGH company was one of the first privately-owned Slovakian forwarding operator to offer complex logistics services – such as air and sea freight, air charter freight services, overland services, customs brokerage and warehousing – from a single source. It was also one of the first Slovakian logistics companies to have its forwarding activities certificated in accordance with ISO 9001:2000.
The company adopted a systematic policy of reform, creating the ideal conditions for foreign investment in Europe. The fact that a number of leading international carmakers have set up plants in the country illustrates this. Slovakia acts as a bridge between western and eastern Europe, and currently has the highest level of economic growth in central Europe.
Hungary
In May 2005, LIEGL & DACHSER launched its air and sea activities on the Hungarian market by setting up an Air & Sea office. Since that date, a dynamic young team has been offering an extensive portfolio of air and sea freight services.
Located at the very heart of Europe, Hungary can boast very high levels of foreign direct investment. Alongside its key industry, the manufacturing sector, the country’s high-tech companies are also performing extremely well in international terms.
Austria
Austria acts as the key hub between central and eastern Europe. Its central position in the middle of Europe makes it a typical transit country for freight services in the north-south and north-southeast directions. Since the iron curtain was opened up, the country has also been used increasingly for services linking the east and the west.
DACHSER launched its air and sea freight activities in Austria when it established DACHSER Austria Air & Sea GmbH in 2006. During its very first months in operation, the company rose to a leading position among the IATA agencies. It offers top-quality know-how in all areas of air and sea freight transport, and especially in project forwarding.
Czech Republic
In early 2006, DACHSER took a majority shareholding in its former partner E.S.T. a.s. and began trading under a new name: DACHSER E.S.T. The company offers its customer a wide range of operations, including tailor-made logistics services catering for the entire spectrum of air and sea freight.
The Czech economy is one of the most highly developed in central Europe. There are two main reasons for this: the impressive level of foreign investment, and the country’s highly successful services sector. Czech industry focuses on the manufacture of modern machinery and equipment which is exported, for the most part, to industrialized countries around the globe. The Czech Republic has a large number of highly qualified employees, and personnel costs are moderate.
Central and southeast Europe
A highly efficient network of strong local partners complements the company’s activities in eastern Europe. In Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania and Greece, DACHSER has very strong partnerships with companies that can draw on extensive local know-how.
Further information on DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics
Overview eLetter 3/2007
