St. Gallen, 06 March 2025. Network expansion in Asia: on February 3, Taipei-based M&M Militzer & Münch Taiwan Ltd. took up operations

For years, the Militzer & Münch Group has been gradually expanding its presence in the Far East and on the Indian subcontinent: after China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia and India, Taiwan is now the latest addition in the region. The Taiwan team is led by Igor Zarenko, a German national with more than 25 years of logistics experience in Asia.

Expanding in growth markets

The new M&M country unit in Asia is a perfect fit for the group’s strategic growth concept. “With its stable economy and favorable location in the Western Pacific, Taiwan is a logical addition to our activities in the region and an important element in the overall picture of our growth strategy in Asia,” says Andreas Löwenstein, Militzer & Münch Regional Managing Director Asia / Far East.

The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research forecasts economic growth of more than three percent for 2025, with future technologies from the electronics and semiconductor industries playing a crucial role. Moreover, Taiwan is set to become an AI hub; the demand for chips and servers is correspondingly high. Well over half of all semiconductors produced worldwide come from Taiwan, but chemical products, metal goods and high-quality bicycles are also among the island’s economic strengths.

Sri Lanka is considered an important logistics hub in South Asia, and the port in Colombo, the country’s capital, is one of the largest transshipment hubs in the Indian Ocean. The key role the tropical island plays in the region’s logistics was recently overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic as well as economic and political crises. Now the wind is changing – also for Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka.

Militzer & Münch has been represented in Sri Lanka since 2018; the country unit is located in the immediate vicinity of the port. The challenging conditions in the country did not leave the activities of Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka unaffected. Freight rates rose sharply, fuel became scarce, and also the labor market was impacted by the crisis. But the M&M team overcame the hurdles with great commitment and continued to expand existing business. New projects and services include transports to Uzbekistan via Karachi (Pakistan), air freight handling in Colombo and sea freight consolidation services.

“The market is still volatile, but we are already sensing that the recent political upheaval will bring positive developments also from an economic perspective. This opens up new opportunities for us”, says Dilum Stembo, Managing Director of Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka.

More capacities at the port of Colombo

All over South Asia, new capacity is currently being created in the transport and logistics sector, and ports are growing. In Sri Lanka, the new dynamic is exemplified by the rapid growth of the port of Colombo, where handling volumes have recently increased significantly. The new Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) with a total area of 65 hectares is due to open at the end of this year. The new terminal will increase the port’s capacity by around three million TEU.

Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka is well prepared for the upswing and the expected increase in demand: the team has now grown to a total of 19 employees; at the end of 2023, the company moved to a new office due to expansion. “We have achieved a very good position in the logistics market. We are a member of the country’s important logistics associations and networks, and maintain long-standing and successful business relationships with shipping companies, airlines as well as our customers. That’s something we are very proud of.”

Plans for a promising future

An upswing in the country, increasing port capacities, a strong market position and a highly motivated, committed team – a promising future lies ahead for Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka. The country unit’s goal now is to optimize routes, reduce costs and offer even better service. The strategy to reach this goal is clearly defined: In future, Dilum Stembo’s team will focus more on multi-country cargo consolidation – a logistics practice that combines shipments from multiple suppliers in different countries into a single shipment and sent to a specific destination or country.

“You give your best and look after the company, and we will look after you. This simple yet powerful statement has guided us through tough times. It’s not just about managing a business; it’s about nurturing a family. When everyone feels valued and heard, they’re motivated to give their best, which in turn drives the company forward,” says Dilum Stembo.

After the relaunch of Militzer & Münch in Dubai in 2017, the young country unit quickly succeeded in building stability and positioning itself on the market. As Managing Director of Militzer & Münch UAE, Anil Manath experienced the rapid development as well as the challenges of recent years, above all the coronavirus pandemic, from the very beginning. We spoke to him about strategies in times of crisis, plans for the future and the merits of his team.

Mr. Manath, how have you experienced the development of Militzer & Münch in Dubai so far?

We managed to grow strongly in the initial phase and establish the location. This gave us an important foundation, which benefited us in the challenging years that followed. We clearly felt the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, for example in the form of supply bottlenecks and freight fluctuations. However, we were able to absorb this very well as we can react flexibly and have the right attitude when it comes to overcoming difficult phases.

Could you describe this attitude in more detail?

Only with motivation and enjoyment of our work can we be successful. That’s why it’s crucial to create the best possible working conditions for the team, and to adapt them to the situation. During the pandemic, we set up a dedicated team to support our employees, for example, in seamlessly continuing to work from home. However, it is just as important not to stick to the status quo in our own activities, but to view hurdles as an opportunity to break new ground – which is our great strength. We have encouraged our team to find innovative solutions to maintain customer satisfaction and our operational efficiency, for example by offering alternative routes and new products, such as LCL consolidation services. Thus, we made the most of the situation and even achieved record results during that time.

And Militzer & Münch Dubai has continued to grow…

That’s right, we now have 65 employees. That is also an impressive development in view of the sometimes adverse circumstances, and it’s a sign of our efficiency!

Which transport routes are particularly in demand, and what is the current focus of Militzer & Münch’s activities in Dubai?

Maritime transports are the most frequent, followed by air freight and road haulage. We are strongly product-oriented. Our services include LCL consolidations from France, China, India, Germany, Italy and Sri Lanka as well as LCL groupage transports from Kuwait. We are experiencing increasing demand in the area of ship spare parts forwarding and chandling services. We will soon be opening a new branch in the port of Fujairah to further improve service in this sector for our customers. We have also successfully expanded our asset-light contract logistics model: Our team now operates three leased warehouses with a total of some 1,670 square meters. We hold more than 4,000 pallets in external warehouses.

What motivates you personally in your work?

That I get to work with professionals who give their best every day and fully identify with the Militzer & Münch company. Our team does not shy away from difficult tasks, but works hard to solve them. The excellent results we achieve confirm my belief that working together as a cohesive unit is the most simple and effective recipe for success.

The Militzer & Münch Group has been active in the Chinese market for more than 40 years and has accumulated an enormous wealth of experience during this time. The first office in Beijing opened in 1981. Since then, the local team has steadily expanded its presence in the country. Over the years, the strategic importance of the People’s Republic for Militzer & Münch has also grown.

There is no way around the world’s second largest economy: the New Silk Road is one of the most important trade and transportation networks in the world and already connects the “Middle Kingdom” with more than 100 nations. Today, about 140 Militzer & Münch China employees at eleven locations and three sales offices handle domestic shipments as well as imports and exports via all modes of transport.

“What drives us is to develop new logistics processes and to continuously expand and optimize our product and service portfolio as a trustworthy, competent and high-performance partner for our customers”, says Elyar Sherkati, Managing Director of Militzer & Münch China.

Specialists for special challenges

A large part of the freight transported by Militzer & Münch China is shipped to Central Asian and European countries. Special services include AOG (Aircraft On Ground) and cross-border road transports for oversized and heavy lift goods. Major customers come from the electronics, automotive, manufacturing and medical industries.

“The market presents many challenges, but also just as many opportunities,” says Elyar Sherkati. “We have to respond to changing global conditions every day and adapt our transport routes and our services accordingly.”

Successful even in complex situations

A situation in August 2024 exemplifies the professional handling of complex situations: because of increased goods volumes, the traffic situation at the Chinese-Kazakh border crossing at Horgos/Korgas was particularly strained. The number of foreign vehicles crossing the border fell drastically within a short period of time due to regulatory measures by the Kazakh government, which led to a backlog of goods and rising freight rates.

Militzer & Münch was nevertheless able to successfully complete two important international truck transports and deliver the goods safely and on time from China to Uzbekistan and Slovakia: The transport specialists managed the 6,000-kilometer route from Guangzhou to Tashkent in only 12 days. For the 9,000 kilometers from Tianjin to Bratislava, they only needed 19 days.

“The Militzer & Münch Group has built a strong name for itself in its more than 140 years of existence – and for more than 40 years here in China”, says Elyar Sherkati. “With high-quality products and services as well as a strong corporate culture, we ensure that we live up to this continuing good reputation.”

The rough mountains of Tajikistan are a very special environment for logistics service providers, but Militzer & Münch Tajikistan’s experienced experts in demanding road transport master every terrain. In July 2024, the country unit celebrated its 15th anniversary.

M&M Militzer & Münch Tajikistan L.L.C. is based in the capital, Dushanbe. The 17 employees primarily handle road and rail-based overland transport. The main focus is on national and international trucking with the company’s own fleet. “In recent years, our company has grown considerably and has become a well-known player in the Tajik logistics market,” says Aziz Sharipov, Managing Director of Militzer & Münch Tajikistan. “During this time, we have built up our own truck fleet, which we now operate with great success. This enables us to offer very reliable and efficient road services”.

More than 90 percent of Tajikistan is mountainous – much of it rough and inaccessible. The landlocked country is well over 1,000 kilometers from the seaports of Iran, Georgia and Turkey. Many of the approximately 10 million inhabitants live in the country’s largest cities, all of which are located in the west of the country. Dushanbe is the most important among them and, with 1.2 million inhabitants, is almost seven times larger than the second largest city, Khujand.

A country on the rise

Government investment in the road and rail network has improved the situation for logisticians in the country in recent years. Militzer & Münch Tajikistan itself has also contributed to this, as the company handles large-scale orders in connection with infrastructure projects, for example in road building or in the construction of water and solar power plants. Advancing digitalization and intensive cooperation with the other states in the region further support Tajikistan in its role as a transport hub. “In a challenging environment like Tajikistan, you have to stay very alert and be willing to constantly improve and find flexible, innovative solutions,” says Aziz Sharipov. ”I find our task of overcoming all obstacles and setting up customized services to connect remote areas while stimulating economic growth at the same time very rewarding.”

Among Militzer & Münch Tajikistan’s most important customers are companies from the medical technology, textiles, food and agriculture sectors. Important import and export markets are the EU countries, Turkey, Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as some Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. This gives Tajikistan a special strategic role as a transit country for traffic between Central and Southeast Asia. To neighboring Afghanistan, Militzer & Münch mainly delivers food and relief supplies. A corresponding project for the World Food Programme (WFP) is to start before the end of this year. The cooperation with the WFP has existed since 2018.

15 years of high commitment

On July 25, 2024, M&M Militzer & Münch Tajikistan L.L.C celebrated its 15th anniversary. Since its foundation, the company has firmly established itself in the national market and in transport with neighboring countries. “Our highly experienced team in Dushanbe and our loyal customer base are thrilled about this special anniversary”, says Aziz Sharipov. “For us, this is just one of the reasons to be proud of Militzer & Münch. We appreciate the company for its positive corporate culture, professionalism and sustained stability”

Nikolaus Kohler, Regional Managing Director Middle East / Central Asia, emphasizes the subsidiary’s importance for the network: “It is a core component of our strategy at M&M Militzer & Münch to cover niche markets where people and knowledge count. In this sense, Tajikistan fits very well into our strategy. We are proud of our team there and wish them only the best for the next 15 years”.

St. Gallen, August 28, 2024: Logistics group Militzer & Münch is on a strategic growth path in Asia: a new country unit in India, registered under the name of M&M Militzer and Muench (India) Private Ltd., started operations on August 5. The new company focuses on air and sea freight – with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical industry and AOG services – as well as project logistics.

Militzer & Münch India handles road transportation, air and sea freight, and project logistics for its customers, both domestically as well as in import and export. The portfolio includes value-added services such as customs clearance and warehousing. The first branch office is registered in Mumbai. Vijay Narayan, an experienced logistics specialist, is the managing director of M&M Militzer and Muench (India) Private Ltd. Particularly for traffics to and from China, Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa, India is to serve as an important hub in the Militzer & Münch network.

Militzer & Münch is strategically expanding its business in the region’s growth markets: Within the last two years, M&M country units were launched in Vietnam and Indonesia, and most recently in Mongolia on July 1, 2024. In Sri Lanka, Militzer & Münch has been operating its own company for several years already.

Air freight and pharmaceutical logistics for the growth market

With the exception of a few outliers during the pandemic, Indian economy has mostly been able to post growth rates of between six and nine percent over the past ten years. According to forecasts by the International Monetary Fund and the German Federal Statistical Office, Indian economy will overtake both Germany and Japan within just a few years. “The country is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, and is already among the global leaders in many industries,” says Holger Seehusen, Militzer & Münch Group Manager Air & Sea. “India is therefore an extremely important component in our increasingly dense network in Asia. We see great opportunities for our new country unit to grow sustainably and organically. In conjunction with our increased activities in Africa, particularly in the sub-Saharan region, we see great potential here.”

India’s most important export goods by value are technical appliances, precious stones, crude oil products and textiles. In addition, the country plays a decisive role in the global pharmaceutical industry. In 2021, for example, India ranked third worldwide in terms of the volume of pharmaceutical products and 14th in terms of value, according to market research firm Mordor Intelligence. India met over 50 percent of the world’s demand for vaccines, 40 percent of the demand for generic drugs in the United States and 25 percent of the demand for generic drugs in the United Kingdom.

What’s more, India is expected to become the world’s third-largest aviation market in the near future – accordingly, the air segment is of particular importance to M&M Militzer and Muench (India) Private Ltd. Initially, the company will focus on the challenging and time-critical AOG (aircraft on ground) sector, where Militzer & Münch can draw on many years of experience in Germany and China.

Militzer & Münch Bulgaria is the country’s leading provider of transportation and logistics services. Currently, the company is investing in even more operational efficiency and sustainability, and is modernizing a warehouse measuring almost 19,000 square metres. Part of the facility is being converted into a temperature-controlled warehouse for pharmaceuticals.

Since the beginning of the year, the warehouse in Sofia, which is owned by the sister company TransTerminal, has been undergoing extensive modernization. Among other things, more than twice as many pallet spaces as before are being created on 7,500 of the total 18,900 square meters of storage area. In addition, the facades are reinforced with thermal panels, doors and docks are renewed, additional loading ramps are built, special industrial floors and concrete paving are laid, and the entire lighting and electrical systems are brought up to the highest technical standards.

“Our primary goal in this modernization is to optimize our logistics flow and energy consumption, which will reduce our ecological footprint,” says Svetoslav Sashev, the CEO of TransTerminal Bulgaria. “We are also giving the building a facelift, including new facades; our customers will surely appreciate the aesthetically appealing facility.”

Plenty of space for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals

All in all, the remodelling and modernization are scheduled to take three years. The first phase is to be completed by October 2024. In the second phase, a 700-square-meter area will be modernized and converted into a temperature-controlled warehouse for pharmaceuticals.

“With our warehouse for temperature-controlled goods, we are catering to a broader customer base,” says Svetoslav Sashev. “Our new facility will totally comply with the standards for the storage of pharmaceutical products. We are already looking forward to seeing the results.”

Bosnia-Herzegovina, a country in the heart of Southeast Europe, offers an exceptional environment for logistics activities. The mountainous landscape, as well as infrastructural and political challenges, call for a holistic approach to supply chain management. To overcome these challenges, M&M Militzer & Münch Transport & Logistics DOO combines global know-how with local insight. The country unit, founded in 2021, has already managed to establish itself as a reliable logistics partner. The company sees growth opportunities in the EU context: Bosnia- Herzegovina is the latest EU accession candidate, and in March, Brussels gave the green light for negotiations, thus sparking optimism in the economy.

In recent years, Bosnia-Herzegovina has turned into an emerging market for the logistics industry. The country’s geographical situation means it forms a strategic link between Western Europe and the Balkan states. Its proximity to major European markets makes it an important hub for international trade. However, despite these advantages, there are also challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure: the road network is often outdated, and there is a lack of modern logistics centers.

A wealth of opportunities

Despite these challenges, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s strategic location at the crossroads between Europe, the Middle East and the Balkans offers enormous opportunities. “The country serves as a transit hub for the goods flows between these regions, and acts as a gateway for their international trade”, explains Nikola Vasiljevic, Executive Director of M&M Militzer & Münch Transport & Logistics DOO. “This opens up a wealth of opportunities for us as a logistics company.”

M&M Militzer & Münch Transport & Logistics DOO has been active in Bosnia-Herzegovina since October 5, 2021. The independent subsidiary of the Serbian Militzer & Münch country unit has already established itself as a fixture in the country’s logistics landscape. The company’s expertise in road transportation, coupled with in-depth knowledge of the local market, enables it to offer its customers comprehensive and customized solutions.

A broad range of services for every requirement

Militzer & Münch offers a wide palette of logistics services in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In addition to the core services of full and part load transports and customs management, the company also offers warehousing, distribution, freight forwarding, supply chain management and value-added services. The team is thus able to optimize the entire logistics process for its customers. The company will continue investing in the further development of its service portfolio, the optimization of efficiency, and the promotion of strategic partnerships.

Another focus is on the implementation of new technologies and the digitization of processes. “We rely on innovative technologies to make our services more efficient and transparent”, says Nikola Vasiljevic. “This includes, among other things, the use of telematics systems for fleet tracking and the optimization of supply chains through modern IT solutions.” In addition, the team in Bosnia-Herzegovina also places great emphasis on ecological responsibility, and takes measures to reduce its ecological footprint.

The Militzer & Münch customers in Bosnia-Herzegovina come from a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, retail, automotive and fashion. Militzer & Münch meets these challenges, as well as the logistical shortcomings of the country, with customized solutions and a high degree of flexibility.

A promising future

The appointment of Bosnia-Herzegovina as the latest EU accession candidate opens up promising prospects for the development of the country’s economy and, in particular, for the logistics sector. Although the full impact is yet to be seen, Militzer & Münch anticipates an increase in trade, simplified regulations and improved investment opportunities, all of which will benefit the company’s growth and the further development of the logistics industry in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“The EU candidacy is a turning point for Bosnia-Herzegovina,” Nikola Vasiljevic points out. “We are happy to be part of this journey, and to contribute to the country’s integration into European and global markets.”

Militzer & Münch Algeria: close to the customer with local experts

With many years of experience in the demanding markets of the region, Militzer & Münch is considered the leading specialist for transports to and from Algeria. An important unique selling point are the regular groupage services for sea freight from France to Algiers and Oran – and since late 2023 also to Béjaïa.

 Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean, Africa’s largest country is one of the most important logistics hubs in the region, with transportation infrastructure concentrated almost exclusively in the country’s fertile north, while almost 85 percent of the area is covered by the rock and sand deserts of the Sahara. Algeria is rich in natural resources – crude oil and LNG account for around 95 percent of total exports. On the other hand, many different goods are imported, including machinery, textiles, food and various other commodities.

Militzer & Münch has been active in Algeria with its own country unit since 2016, and now operates its own branches in the port cities of Algiers, Oran and Béjaïa. From these locations, the company covers the entire logistics spectrum, from sea and air freight to road haulage and value-added services such as customs clearance and consulting. Import traffic mainly comes from Western Europe or South East Asia, exports are primarily destined for West Africa and Southwest Europe.

“The logistics sector in Algeria is governed by strict laws and regulations. In addition, transport costs are high and customs procedures are lengthy, which can be quite a challenge if you are not familiar with the local conditions”, says Lamia Hani, Managing Director Militzer & Münch Algeria. “With our own local experts and a strong partner network, we can support our customers very effectively here”, she adds.

Focus on groupage ex France

Among the most important services provided by Militzer & Münch in Algeria are groupage transports from Marseille. For several years now, there have been two regular connections, one each from France to Algiers and Oran. In November 2023, a maritime groupage service to Béjaïa was also launched.

The port city lies around 180 kilometers east of Algiers, the capital, and is one of the most important cities in the country. Due to its location, it serves as an important hub for maritime traffic with Europe, Africa and other regions. Modern infrastructure makes the port’s processes particularly efficient and allows it to handle various types of cargo, including bulk goods and containerized freight. In addition, the port boasts a high level of security and efficient hinterland connections. From Marseille, Militzer & Münch offers a service to Béjaïa every 15 days with CMA CGM vessels. Militzer & Münch takes care of all processes, from consolidation to container loading; transit time is only five days. As there are hardly any comparable offers on this route, the service has been correspondingly well received by customers. A large proportion of the goods transported so far are destined for the food industry: food processing equipment, flavorings, food additives, packaging and so on.

In the medium term, Militzer & Münch Algeria plans to expand its market leadership on the Algeria-France route and to set up further LCL services to and from Turkey and Italy. “Algeria is a country where it never gets boring”, says Lamia Hani. “We are always happy to take on new challenges for the benefit of our customers.”

The courier, express, and parcel service EMEX Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of the Militzer & Münch Group, looks back on the past years with great satisfaction and plans further growth.

EMEX is the official partner of FedEx in Kazakhstan and handles all FedEx CEP transports within the country. The company operates its own substantial fleet of circa 100 vehicles as well as a dense network of branch offices in the country. The main sorting center is located in Almaty. All international shipments, including customs clearance, are handled via this hub, with transit times for express delivery between one and four days. EMEX’s major customers operate in the retail, fashion, pharmaceutical and medical technology, as well as oil and gas sectors. What they value most about their CEP provider are the comprehensive turnkey solutions and personalized support.

This year, EMEX is about to celebrate an anniversary. The Militzer & Münch Group’s CEP service in Kazakhstan turns 20 years old and has had a successful time recently: “We were able to increase our market share and consolidate our strong position among the top three service providers in the industry, we obtained important ISO certifications in the areas of quality, environment and safety, and were even awarded industry prizes,” says Tatjana Vorobyeva, who has been heading the company with a staff of more than 360 as Managing Director since 2016. “The positive results are largely owed to growth in e-commerce and consolidated domestic transportation.” In 2023, EMEX also opened its first location in Kyrgyzstan, expanding its extensive branch network in Central Asia.

Into the future – with big plans

EMEX plans to continue growing in the future by investing in personnel management to attract new talent and in its own warehousing space, for example. Strategic marketing measures are to further strengthen the EMEX brand, while an expanded range of services will appeal to new customer groups. These include the Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) and Fulfilment Services divisions, among others.

“We have big plans – and of course we are already preparing for our 20th anniversary”, says Tatjana Vorobyeva. “Our customers rely on EMEX because their consignments are in good hands with us and reach their destination reliably and on time. This trust has brought us to where we are today and spurs us on to continue to improve and grow.”

About five years ago, the Militzer & Münch Dubai team moved from the city’s airport to the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) at the western end of Dubai, one of the largest free trade zones in the world. The move was the result of the country unit’s strong growth, which is still ongoing: Militzer & Münch Dubai is continually expanding its range of services and its customer base is growing. The supply of ships on the water is developing into a particularly successful line of business.

At the location in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the Militzer & Münch Dubai team focuses on the transport of ship spare parts. For some time now, there has also been an increasing demand from customers for the complete supply of ships. In addition to spare parts, this includes the delivery of further technical equipment, consumables, bonded goods, food for the crew and maintenance services. Militzer & Münch is responsible for the procurement of equipment and goods, their storage, and delivery on board the ships – even beyond the Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Growing market segment in the port of Fujairah

Thanks to the strong commitment of the Ship-Spares-team, led by Business Development Manager Kiran Kumar, the local company has seen a significant increase in orders for ship supplies at the Port of Fujairah. Located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the port is a major hub for shipping in the Gulf region and the Fujairah Offshore Anchorage Area (FOAA) offers 133 berths for incoming vessels as well as a wide range of maritime services.

“Our aim is to offer our national and international customers an all-inclusive package with real added value in ship handling, from spare parts in transit to catering for the ship’s crew” says Anil Manath, Managing Director of Militzer & Münch Dubai.

Militzer & Münch not only handles ships moored at offshore anchorages in Fujairah but also ships in transit. For this “midstream” supply, Militzer & Münch exclusively delivered more than 200 shipments in UAE waters by using hired supply boats and made over 50 round trips in 2023 – aside from deliveries to local agent’s boats. The ships served by the Militzer & Münch Dubai team currently come mainly from international waters while passing through the OPL (outer port limits) and inner anchorages of the United Arab Emirates during bunkering and maintenance.

“The port of Fujairah has become an important location for us and we expect a further increase in the volume of orders for ship supply”, says Anil Manath. “We will continue to expand our local presence in the future so that we can provide our customers with a central one-stop-shop for the optimal handling of ships round the clock.”

The Militzer & Münch country unit in Kazakhstan was founded in 1993. Its development is impressive: Today, M&M Kazakhstan offers its customers national and international transports on all transport routes, as well as customs clearance – and all this with great success. The team is growing, as is the customer base; the range of services is continuously expanded, and new markets are opened.

In summer 2023, around 70 employees and customers of M&M Kazakhstan came together in a restaurant in Almaty to celebrate Militzer & Münch’s 30^th anniversary with a colorful entertainment program featuring live music, a dinner buffet, and cocktails. Of course, a birthday cake had to be part of the event.

Zlata Kim, Managing Director of the Kazakh country unit since 2019, has closely accompanied and driven the development of the company in recent years. “We can be very proud of what we have achieved over the past three decades,” she says. ”We offer our customers transport logistics services at the highest level. We are constantly expanding our portfolio and adapting our services to current requirements. In the field of renewable energies, we have been able to handle some impressive projects, such as the transportation of large quantities of components and modules for solar plants from China to Kazakhstan.”

There is a close trade relationship between Kazakhstan and China; the European Union, however, has recently turned into the most important economic partner. Which also applies to M&M Kazakhstan. “Rail transports play an important role here, but at the moment, truck transports from Europe are also in high demand from our customers,” says Zlata Kim.

St. Gallen, December 18, 2023. Logistics company Militzer & Münch is growing in Asia: M&M Militzer & Münch Vietnam Co. Ltd. starts operations today. The new country unit offers the full range of Militzer & Münch services, with a special focus on air and sea transports.

The Militzer & Münch Group is pursuing a growth strategy in the Asia / Far East / Oceania region. Most recently, a new company was founded in New Zealand in 2022. After M&M China, M&M Malaysia, M&M Sri Lanka and M&M New Zealand, M&M Vietnam is now the fifth national subsidiary in the region. It is located in Ho Chi Minh City. The 9 million-strong metropolis on the South China Sea is both the economic center of the country and an important transport hub for Southeast Asia.

Significant development opportunities
Militzer & Münch focuses on promising markets in the region and considers the location to have great potential for further growth: “Within a few years, Vietnam has developed from one of the world’s poorest nations to a middle-income country”, says Andreas Löwenstein, Regional Managing Director Asia / Far East at Militzer & Münch. “We therefore see good opportunities for successful development while at the same time strengthening our network in the region with the new country unit.”

Militzer & Münch Vietnam will serve many different industries in import as well as in export. A large part of the transport volume will be generated by sea and air transportation. Peter Schüpbach, who previously held various management positions, is heading the new subsidiary.

When Militzer & Münch opened its country unit in Serbia in October 2019, the logistics provider already planned to expand further in the Balkan region. Thus, in summer 2021, Militzer & Münch not only founded two more country units there, Militzer & Münch Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Militzer & Münch Montenegro, but also started its own courier service in Serbia in early 2022.

“We have made it our goal to expand our network to cover the entire Balkan region,” says Nikola Vasiljevic, Executive Director of the three Balkan country units. “With Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, we have already taken the first steps in this direction.” Both country units currently count three employees each; road transportation is the main business, but warehousing and customs clearance are offered as well.

Correct market assessment
Most of the customers in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro are already long-standing Militzer & Münch customers in Serbia. For both new markets, however, the last two years were highly unpredictable and challenging, due to the impact of the Corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and supply shortages. “Despite the many hurdles we had to overcome, we were able to adapt and grow,” says Nikola Vasiljevic. “We have been able to correctly assess the market, take our service to a new level and find the best solution for each customer need.”

 Meeting the demand
Yet it is not only geographically that Militzer & Münch is growing in the Balkan region; the service portfolio in Serbia has also been expanded. “During the pandemic, it became apparent that there is a high demand for top-quality, safe and fast courier services,” says Nikola Vasiljevic. “Which is why we decided to establish M&M Express at the beginning of 2022.” The courier service already employs 20 drivers and operates a fleet of 18 delivery vans – all of which “M&M Express” branded. The team handles 15,000 to 20,000 shipments a month from 200 terminals and also offers to pick up shipments on site if requested.

 Innovation and automation
As the business grew, Militzer & Münch Serbia decided to invest in innovation and automation. The company built a new 1,000-square-meter cross-dock between the existing warehouses in Dobanovci, Serbia. Cross-docking means that goods are no longer stored, but are handled directly and forwarded to customers. The new automated building is equipped with conveyor belts, sorting machines and elevators that lift goods to shelves and mezzanines. At the cross-dock facility, Militzer & Münch Serbia can process up to 2,000 shipments per hour. Deliveries pass through a scanner, are recorded by the warehouse management software, and automatically sorted according to 31 zones. “Automation has allowed us to dramatically increase efficiency and boost capacity,” says Nikola Vasiljevic. “Our courier service is growing day by day, and we expect to have expanded significantly by the end of the year, covering the entire territory of the Republic of Serbia with our courier service.”

Earthquake, pandemic, inflation – in the year 2023, the people in Turkey have to cope with severe catastrophes and challenges that seem almost insurmountable. But economic uncertainties and global turbulences are by no means new to the employees of Militzer & Münch’s Turkish subsidiary – and they know how to deal with them.

In February of this year, parts of Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating earthquake. More than 56,000 people died, many more were injured, lost family members, lost their belongings – the disaster traumatized the people of Turkey.

Help for the victims

In response to the destruction and distress, the Turkish International Freight Forwarders Association, UTIKAD, sent relief goods to the earthquake region – and the Militzer & Münch team assisted. “In this humanitarian effort, we coordinated the transport of urgently needed relief goods carried in twelve trucks plus a complete train of 32 wagons”, says Cem Ulusoy, Managing Director Militzer & Münch Turkey. “In addition, together with the Militzer & Münch branch office in Basel, we donated 5,000 euros to “AHBAP”, a Turkish relief organization.”

The Turkish economy has been severely affected by the natural disaster, too. About 35 percent of the country’s industry are located in the areas affected by the earthquake. Add to this the consequences of the pandemic and global inflation… Militzer & Münch Turkey is suffering from these conditions, too. But the team has learned to operate in an environment characterized by uncertainties, and to carry out business successfully.

Steady development

The Turkish Militzer & Münch subsidiary was founded in 1996. “At that time, we had only seven employees and a single branch in Izmir, run by one person,” says Cem Ulusoy. After the new management of Militzer & Münch Turkey started working in January 2012, the Turkish country unit began to grow. “Today, we employ almost 60 people and, in addition to the Istanbul headquarters, we operate three branches, in Izmir, Mersin, and Bursa, as well as a warehouse in Hadımköy and an office at Istanbul Airport.”

Militzer & Münch Turkey specializes in the transport of industrial goods and is among the market leaders in project transports. Despite the uncertainties and challenges, the team has successfully defended its position in the industry. Road transportation is most in demand among customers, followed by air and sea freight, segments that are also of great importance. The company’s main customers come from the textile, machinery, chemicals, and construction materials industries.

“We have given proof that we are capable of operating successfully not only in times of uncertainty, but also of fulfilling our social responsibility in times of crisis,” says Cem Ulusoy. “An important next step for us will be to invest in a warehouse to provide even better services to our customers and meet the ever-growing demands.”