M&M: Using artificial intelligence to clear resources

Innovative technologies play a decisive role for a modern service provider like Militzer & Münch. At the moment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is an issue that is causing a stir in the logistics industry. In order to explore the individual needs and potential applications of this technology, Thies Spannagel has been appointed Group Project Manager AI. His task is to evaluate processes where AI can be used to reduce the workload on employees and increase the service level and efficiency of the logistics service provider. Thies Spannagel has been with Militzer & Münch for over six years and has more than 20 years of professional experience in the logistics industry.

 Mr. Spannagel, what is your task in the AI project?
As Group Project Manager AI, I am like a hub. I receive input from the country units telling me what challenges they have to overcome on a daily basis, and where major expenses arise that could be reduced using AI. The focus is always on improving the quality of service for our customers. I then check whether there are any suitable AI modules that we can integrate into our IT infrastructure. I’m very interested in AI because I’m very process-oriented and want to achieve my goals fast and efficiently. If we process the orders in a clean and orderly manner, we achieve a high level of customer satisfaction.

 

When was the project launched, and what is the objective?
We started the project on 1 March. Of course, I had already been looking into the topic of AI before then. In November 2023, M&M air sea cargo GmbH took a new transport management system into operation, our central software that we use to process all orders. The task now is to further develop this system – including with AI. The aim is to continuously reduce for our colleagues the number of manual data entries in order to increase productivity. However, we are also looking at other areas where AI can support us.

 

Where do you see the biggest challenges?
The Militzer & Münch Group’s country units are relatively heterogeneous. Each country has its own transport management system and its own IT infrastructure. This is a challenge when we purchase new modules, as we have to ensure that they can be used by as many country units as possible. Evaluating the modules is also demanding. Service providers often present demo versions in their showcases. The scenarios shown in these demos are often perfectly tailored to the tool’s capabilities. However, the problems we face in reality often have completely different parameters, for which the AI must first be trained over a lengthy period of time before we can use it – a new AI module is never ‘plug and play’.

A good example is something we saw with one of our partners in Canada. They wanted to implement a module that uses AI to process customer enquiries quickly and efficiently. When I looked at this with my colleagues, I was initially really impressed. After a few months, when we asked if our partner was happy with the tool, they said it wasn’t being actively used yet. There were still too many early problems and the tool was not even suitable for many areas in the company. Manual intervention was required so often that it was more efficient for employees to process enquiries manually.

When we select providers, they often ask in advance for examples from our company that they can use to demonstrate their tool. However, we also always bring along a few cases that the provider is not yet familiar with. That way we can better assess whether we can actually use the tool or whether the provider has only customised the demo to our specific case. Risk management is also my task when selecting these tools. That’s why for such meetings I take up to three experts with me who deal with the issues under review on a daily basis, so that we don’t conclude contracts lightly.

 

What characteristics do AI modules need to have in order to be considered for Militzer & Münch?
At the moment, we are primarily interested in using AI for repetitive tasks in order to free up resources in other areas. We can thus optimize processes and become more efficient.

A good tool has to fit in well with our IT infrastructure, which is of course difficult due to the different systems we have in the individual countries. When I talk to the provider of an AI module, I naturally always ask what interfaces are available. The API standard, which has the advantage that the code does not have to be rewritten from scratch during implementation, is already widely used. We have to check which providers are available on the market and for which areas they are suitable. One example is customs clearance. The aim is to automate the process so that the documents we receive from the customer are already prepared to such an extent that our colleagues only have to look over them again and add small details – but don’t have to search for and enter all the information themselves.

With technologies such as AI, it’s important to be involved right from the start and follow the development of promising modules so as not to be left behind later on. My job is to play a leading role in supporting my colleagues in the other countries in implementing the modules. However, the respective country unit must provide sufficient resources – in particular a temporary implementation team of local experts who are familiar with the regulations of the respective country. Teamwork is absolutely called for here.

AI systems rely on data, and the data must be prepared in such a way that the AI can process it. Last year, for example, the colleagues at the German Road (M&M Militzer & Münch GmbH) began using an AI module that extracts orders from major customers’ emails and automatically creates an order in our transport management system, largely eliminating the need for manual input. However, it took a year to train the system so that it works for us, which tied up a lot of resources.

 

Which institutions or service providers are supporting Militzer & Münch in the project?
 We cooperate with the University of St. Gallen. In this context, we also exchange ideas with a student consultancy that also collaborates with the university. The consultancy has already supported AI projects. Their experience is very valuable to me, because we don’t want to make mistakes that we only notice years later. There is a lot of potential for mistakes, especially in the field of innovative technologies. That’s why it’s important to get input from different areas. We need to find out which technologies are on the market, which areas they cover and what potential they have. The price-performance ratio and the options for implementation in our IT infrastructure also play an important role. Only once we have gathered information about all of this can we decide whether an AI tool or module is of interest to us.

 

Militzer & Münch Algeria: close to the customer

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.”

 

Trade Lane Africa: “There is always a way”

In view of the impressive economic growth in some emerging markets south of the Maghreb, Militzer & Münch is expanding its activities on the African continent. We asked Irene Pinkrah, Business Development Manager Trade Lane Greater Africa, about the special aspects of working with Africa, the challenges she and the team have to overcome, and what she likes best about her job.

Ms. Pinkrah, what are your tasks as Business Development Manager for Trade Lane Africa?

My main task is to expand and maintain business relationships with existing partners in Africa and to identify new partners for potential collaboration. I also build and maintain business relationships in Germany together with our sales team and take care of customer acquisition. And I also define marketing strategies and develop and optimize the trade lane between Germany and Africa by analyzing, planning and implementing efficient transport and logistics solutions.

How is the Militzer & Münch business developing in Africa?

We are currently in the process of developing the Sub-Sahara segment and are very optimistic. Africa has experienced significant economic growth in recent years and offers considerable development potential in some sectors. Militzer & Münch has been active in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria for many years, and is very successful in this field. We are therefore confident that we will also be successful in sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, for example, are very interesting for us.

We are currently working on establishing a partner network. Against this background, several Militzer & Münch country units, including Militzer & Münch Germany, joined the Airfreight Logistics Network for Africa (ALNA) some time ago, a strong network for airfreight to and from the African continent. With ALNA, we have access to a secure and reliable network of companies in many African countries.

In order to tap into the potential of the Ghanaian market for us, I will be attending the Supply Chain Business Forum and Exhibition in Ghana’s capital Accra this coming July. The trade fair will focus on current trends, challenges and opportunities in the supply chain sector. As Militzer & Münch is sponsoring the event, we also have the opportunity to present our products and services on site.

What are the main goods Militzer & Münch transports to and from Africa?

African countries import a variety of consumer goods, including electronics, vehicles, clothing and household appliances. The primary exports are raw materials as well as agricultural and pharmaceutical products.

What challenges have you experienced with transports to and from Africa?

Many parts of Africa have only insufficient transport infrastructure, both in terms of roads, railways and ports. This sometimes leads to bottlenecks, delays and increased transportation costs. In addition, different customs regulations, complicated documentation requirements and inefficient customs clearance procedures also complicate and delay transportation. Instability in some regions and cultural differences can also hinder transportation. But as long as we are prepared for these hurdles, there is always a way to overcome them. After all, challenging markets are our specialty.

What positions have you held at Militzer & Münch so far, and what do you like best about your work?

I have worked in operational positions in air and sea freight for over 20 years. Most recently, I worked in the export department of M&M air sea cargo GmbH in Frankfurt for 15 years. In 2022, I participated in our internal Talent Management Program, where one of our tasks was to identify promising new markets. We singled out Africa as one of the most interesting areas.

I really enjoy working for Militzer & Münch because the company is characterized by a family environment, motivated colleagues, openness and diversity. What I particularly like about my current position as Trade Lane Manager is that I can work independently. I can really make a difference here. The diverse challenges my job entails motivate me, too.

Militzer & Münch Dubai: Strong in ship supply

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.”

M&M Kazakhstan: Lots of good reasons to celebrate

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 30th 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.

“Employees are our greatest asset”

Hristo Marinov, 46, started at Militzer & Münch in Bulgaria in 1996. Today, he is Deputy CEO of M&M Militzer & Münch BG Co. Ltd. and knows the company and the Bulgarian logistics market like the back of his hand. In this interview, he tells us how he made it from courier to the top of the company, what distinguishes Militzer & Münch in Bulgaria, and how the company is preparing for the future.

  

Mr. Marinov, you have been with Militzer & Münch for 27 years. What was your start in the company like?

I joined Militzer & Münch in 1996, right after graduating from school. As a courier, I took documents from our warehouse to the customs office. At that time, they were at different locations. But I only had this job for five months, because then I did my one-year military service. After that, I went straight back to Militzer & Münch, and I’ve been happy to stay until today.

 

From then on, it was a steep career path for you. What were the most important stations?

Parallel to my re-entry at Militzer & Münch, I started studying at university. First, I did my bachelor’s degree in accounting, then my master’s degree in international economics. At the same time, I worked in the warehouse at Militzer & Münch. At that time, a large supermarket chain opened its first stores in Bulgaria, and we stored the entire non-food product range for them. In that project, I was more or less the team leader. So, I knew how logistics worked in practice – and that was not always the way it was taught in theory at university.

Later, I switched to our road department. It was divided into three segments at the time, and I became head of the groupage export department. Later, we split the road department by country rather than by service, and I was in charge of Central Europe with Germany and Scandinavia. Again a few years later, we decided to combine all the Road segments into a joint Road Transport Division. I took over responsibility for this division and became Deputy CEO.

 

What are your main tasks at the moment?

Today, among other things, I am responsible for many operational areas of our business, for example for our automotive customers. I also oversee the IT department here in Bulgaria and take care of our partner network – especially CargoLine. As an official partner of the LTL cooperation, we carry out groupage transports with all 72 companies in the network as well as the main hub in Germany.

Although we are a small partner in the network, we offer very high quality services. Thus, over the past few years, we were awarded the CargoLine Quality Award three times in a row for our excellent and reliable service. These are achievements of which our entire team is very proud and which spur us on to continue giving our best to our customers every day.

 

What’s the secret of Militzer & Münch Bulgaria’s success?

I think there are a number of factors that have a very positive impact. On the one hand, we are very well-established in terms of performance, and offer the entire range of logistics solutions from a single source: road and rail transports, contract logistics, as well as airfreight via our subsidiary M&M Air Cargo Service BG Co. Ltd. On the other hand, we have a very experienced and stable team, which, together with our air cargo company, counts about 150 employees. They are our company’s greatest asset. Many of them have been serving our customers for 15, 20 or more years. This testifies to our very good working atmosphere and to a management that genuinely cares about its employees. And last but not least, we are ready to break new ground, find innovative solutions and grow together with our customers.

 

What does that look like in concrete terms, can you give us an example?

In recent years, for instance, we have significantly expanded our portfolio in the area of 3PL logistics solutions in collaboration with a major automotive customer, and are increasingly offering value-added services. We acquired the tier 1 supplier from Germany with a large plant in Bulgaria as a customer two years ago. We operate an integrated bonded warehouse for imported goods from China for this company. We receive and store the goods, pick them, take care of customs management, and deliver them to their destination. The level of service and quality is extremely high, and the KPIs are constantly being developed. Which makes the project very demanding, but also very interesting. Because the know-how we acquire here we can also use in other projects.

 

What are Militzer & Münch Bulgaria’s plans for the future?

As I said, we want to further expand our value-added services. Having recently put a completely new cross-dock terminal into operation, we are planning to modernize our existing terminal in Sofia for this purpose. Our CEO Sacho Todorov is driving the project together with me. We are planning state-of-the-art equipment, including a narrow-aisle storage system, to make the most efficient use of the available space. We will probably start modernization work before the end of the year.

 

You have many tasks and carry a lot of responsibility. What do you do in your free time to compensate?

I naturally spend a lot of time with my family. My wife, who by the way I met at Militzer & Münch, our two boys and I do a lot of sports. Together, we go in for outdoor activities, such as mountain biking. I also discovered CrossFit for myself.

Workouts are constantly varied and incorporate weightlifting, gymnastics, running and more. It improves my strength, stamina, and mobility skills.

 

Thank you very much for the interview, Mr. Marinov!

Militzer & Münch: новая компания во Вьетнаме

Ст. Галлен, 18 декабря 2023 года: Логистическое предприятие Militzer & Münch продолжает расти в Азии: сегодня приступила к работе компания M&M Militzer & Münch Vietnam Co. Ltd. Новая компания предлагает полный спектр услуг Militzer & Münch. Особое внимание будет уделяться воздушным и морским перевозкам.

Группа Militzer & Münch реализует стратегию роста в регионе Азии / Дальнего Востока / Океании. Совсем недавно, в 2022 году, предприятие учредило новую компанию в Новой Зеландии. После Китая, Малайзии, Шри-Ланки и Новой Зеландии Вьетнам стал пятой страной в регионе, в которой у Militzer & Münch есть собственная национальная компания. Головной офис Militzer & Münch Vietnam расположен в Хошимине. Этот мегаполис на берегу Южно-Китайского моря, с населением 9 миллионов человек, является одновременно экономическим центром страны и важным для Юго-Восточной Азии транспортным узлом.

 

Большие возможности для развития

Компания Militzer & Münch ориентируется на многообещающие рынки региона и видит для компании в этой стране большой потенциал для дальнейшего роста: «За несколько лет Вьетнам превратился из одной из беднейших стран мира в страну со средним уровнем дохода», говорит Андреас Лёвенштайн, региональный директор Militzer & Münch по Азии/Дальнему Востоку. «Поэтому мы видим здесь хорошие возможности для успешного развития и укрепляем нашу сеть в регионе посредством открытия новой компании».

Компания Militzer & Münch Vietnam будет обслуживать множество различных отраслей как в сфере импорта, так и в сфере экспорта. Большая часть объема перевозок приходится на морской и воздушный транспорт. Новую национальную компанию возглавил Петер Шюпбах, ранее занимавший различные руководящие должности.

Militzer & Münch Turkey: сыгранная команда

Землетрясение, пандемия, инфляция – в 2023 году жителям Турции пришлось столкнуться со страшными катастрофами и испытаниями, кажущимися практически непреодолимыми. Но экономическая неопределенность и глобальные потрясения сотрудникам турецкой компании Militzer & Münch не в диковинку, и они знают, как с ними справляться.

В феврале этого года отдельные части Турции и Сирии подверглись мощному землетрясению. Более 56 тыс. человек погибли, многие получили ранения, потеряли членов семьи и все свое имущество. Это событие глубоко потрясло жителей Турции.

 

Помощь пострадавшим

В ответ на огромные разрушения и сложившуюся чрезвычайную ситуацию Турецкая международная ассоциация экспедиторов UTIKAD направила в район землетрясения гуманитарные грузы, а команда Militzer & Münch оказала ей этом необходимую поддержку. «В рамках этой гуманитарной миссии мы координировали перевозку крайне необходимых для пострадавших грузов двенадцатью грузовиками и полным железнодорожным составом из 32 вагонов», говорит Джем Улусой, генеральный директор Militzer & Münch в Турции. «Кроме того, совместно с филиалом компании Militzer & Münch в Базеле мы перечислили 5000 евро турецкой гуманитарной организации AHBAP».

Стихийное бедствие сильно ударило и по турецкой экономике. Около 35% промышленности страны расположено в районах, пострадавших от землетрясения. К этому следует добавить последствия пандемии коронавируса и глобальную инфляцию. В сложившейся ситуации турецкой компании Militzer & Münch приходится нелегко.

Но команда научилась действовать и успешно вести работу в условиях неопределенности. Турецкая компания группы Militzer & Münch была учреждена в 1996 году. «В то время у нас было всего семь сотрудников и один единственный филиал в Измире, управляемый одним сотрудником», говорит Джем Улусой. После того как в январе 2012 года к работе приступило новое руководство Militzer & Münch Turkey, турецкая компания начала расти. «Сегодня в нашей компании работает почти 60 человек, и, помимо головного офиса в Стамбуле, у нас есть еще три филиала в Измире, Мерсине и Бурсе, а также склад в Хадымкее и офис в аэропорту Стамбула».

Компания Militzer & Münch Turkey специализируется на перевозках промышленных грузов и является одним из лидеров на рынке проектных перевозок. Несмотря на неопределенность и трудности, команда успешно отстаивает свои, занятые в данной отрасли, позиции. Наибольшим спросом у клиентов пользуются наземные перевозки, за ними следуют, также имеющие большое значение, воздушные и морские перевозки. Основными клиентами компании являются представители текстильной промышленности, машиностроения, химической промышленности и производства строительных материалов.

«Мы доказали, что можем не только успешно работать в условиях неопределенности, но и нести свою социальную ответственность в кризисные времена», говорит Джем Улусой. «Следующим важным шагом для нас станет инвестирование в склад, чтобы предлагать клиентам еще более качественные услуги и удовлетворять растущие потребности».

На шести грузовиках из Китая в Узбекистан

Всего за 20 дней специалисты компании Militzer & Münch по Азии перевезли электростанцию общим весом почти сто тонн с крайнего северо-востока Китая в Ташкент.

Почти 4500 километров разделяют китайский город Аньшань и узбекский Ташкент – и это, если считать по прямой. В мае-июне 2023 года компании Militzer & Münch довелось пройти данное расстояние в рамках специального заказа: многочисленные деревянные ящики с трансформаторами, распределительными шкафами и другими компонентами энергетического оборудования необходимо было забрать с завода-отправителя в Аньшане и доставить получателю в Ташкенте, постоянному клиенту Militzer & Münch Uzbekistan. При этом путь пролегал через Китай, Киргизию и Узбекистан. Это подразумевало две процедуры въезда – в Киргизию и Узбекистан, а также грузовикам предстояло провести несколько дней в ожидании в Яламе, на границе с Узбекистаном. Шесть грузовиков справились с этой гигантской перевозкой всего за двадцать дней.

Общий вес груза – 97 тонн, а его стоимость составила 1,2 млн. долларов США. «Это была сложная задача», говорит Дино Ванг, руководитель филиала в Урумчи (Китай). «По просьбе грузоотправителя груз должен был быть задекларирован как одно единое устройство, поэтому прежде, чем мы смогли подготовить и подать таможенную декларацию, нам пришлось перегрузить его целиком на шесть находившихся под контролем таможни грузовиков». В Оше (Киргизия) груз был перегружен на узбекские грузовики. Ценный груз был застрахован грузоотправителем; сопровождение конвоем не потребовалось.

Дополнительные складские площади в Марокко

Компания Militzer & Münch Morocco расширяет свою деятельность в Танжере:
2 000 м2 дополнительных складских площадей обеспечат более быструю обработку грузов в будущем.

Портовый город Танжер расположен далеко на севере Марокко, рядом с Гибралтарским проливом, всего в 30 км от материковой части Испании, и поэтому занимает стратегически чрезвычайно важное положение для грузоперевозок. На протяжении многих лет местный филиал компании Militzer & Münch является воротами в Марокко.

В настоящее время компания Militzer & Münch расширяет собственный склад за счет пристройки: 2 000 м2 дополнительных логистических площадей позволят удовлетворить растущий клиентский спрос на услуги и обеспечить еще более быструю обработку грузов: «На нашем складе в Танжере мы уже несколько лет отмечаем стабильно растущие объемы заказов», объясняет Оливьер Антониотти, генеральный директор Militzer & Münch Morocco. «Благодаря обновлению склада, мы сможем еще лучше и гибче обрабатывать дополнительные объемы перевозимых грузов».

В общей сложности площадь склада в Танжере увеличится до 5 000 м2. Торжественное открытие и ввод в эксплуатацию нового объекта запланированы на начало января 2024 года.

Militzer & Münch Eichenzell: the gateway to the Maghreb

Most of the overland transports from the Militzer & Münch branch office in Eichenzell in Eastern Hesse are bound for one or more of the Maghreb countries. This makes Eichenzell one of the most important hubs for transports to Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

The small township near Fulda and Frankfurt is home to the German Militzer & Münch hub for the Maghreb – and it is continuously developing. Over the last few years, the branch has experienced steady and healthy growth. “We have a clear picture of the direction we want to take in the future,” says branch manager Julian Backenstoß. “We are receiving very positive feedback from our customers for our consistently good service. As a result, we’ve been able to expand our business and also increase our staff.” Close to twenty colleagues are now attending to the needs of customers. The attached warehousing area covers around 4,500 square meters.

Consolidated freight destined for North Africa
On average, eight to ten containers leave Eichenzell every week in a southerly direction to begin their journey to North Africa: four to five semitrailers per week head to Morocco via Algeciras in Spain. Another four to five round trips per week go to Tunisia via Marseille and Genoa. The focus is on consolidated freight.
The trucks need about six to seven days to make the journey to Algeria. Multimodal shipments are completed within nine to ten days. “If time is of the essence, customers prefer the pre-carriage by truck to Marseille. If transit time is not an issue, the combination with rail is a popular choice, also because it is cheaper. The customer can save a few hundred euros and at the same time do something for the environment,” explains Lilli Macholdt, Deputy Branch Manager and Trade Lane Manager Maghreb.

More than just the Maghreb
“We have a lot of experience in organizing and carrying out transports to the Maghreb countries,” explains Julian Backenstoß. “That’s why we keep expanding our activities and recently opened a branch office in Augsburg. There, under the management of Fourat Chetoui, Trade Lane Manager Maghreb, we are currently focusing on the direct freight business to and from the Maghreb. However, we also offer overland transports to many other destinations, of course.” In addition to transports to North Africa, Militzer & Münch also handles groupage transports to Azerbaijan via Eichenzell, as well as transports to Eastern and Western Europe. Moreover, the Eichenzell branch office has been the official CargoLine Germany depot for more than ten years, acting as a hub for classic groupage pre- and on-carriage to and from Europe or within Germany.”

В Ташкент через Чанъаньский экспресс (Chang’an Express)

Пекин. Сиань является не только отправной точкой древнего Шелкового пути на востоке, но и важными воротами для международной торговли. Между тем, Центральная Азия, как пионер инициативы “Пояс и путь”, служит ориентиром для взаимосвязанной международной торговли. Железная дорога Центральной Азии расширяет внешние связи и торговлю Сианя, создавая новые возможности.

30 мая 50 TEU с телекоммуникационным оборудованием ZTE покинули Сианьский международный порт на борту Чанъаньского экспресса и отправились в Ташкент, крупнейший город Центральной Азии.

 

Преимущества Чанъаньского экспресса

Chang’an Express, новое сообщение между Китаем и Европой. Поезд следует через сухой порт Хоргос в Синьцзяне и преодолевает общее расстояние в 4 667 километров до Ташкента за десять дней. Это первый случай, когда Сианьский международный порт сотрудничает с корпорацией ZTE для запуска полноценного поезда с товарами в Центральную Азию.

“Причина, по которой мы выбрали экспресс Китай-Европа Чанъань, заключается в том, что он предлагает множество маршрутов, отличный сервис и стабильные сроки, что обеспечивает надежные гарантии своевременной доставки товаров наших клиентов. В будущем мы будем продолжать укреплять наше сотрудничество с Сианьской международной портовой зоной свободной торговли и вносить свой вклад в строительство инициативы “Пояс и путь”, – сказал в интервью Эльяр Шеркати, управляющий директор M&M China.

Militzer & Münch Romania: подъем и оптимизм, несмотря на нестабильные времена

Militzer & Münch представлена на логистическом рынке Румынии своей собственной компанией уже почти 20 лет. Основное внимание уделяется импорту и экспорту в пределах Европы, заказчики представляют, в основном, секторы промышленных товаров и одежды. Несмотря на сегодняшние факторы неопределенности, компания не только демонстрирует стабильность, но даже успешно растет.

Румынская компания, по всем признакам, успешно развивается. И это несмотря на то, что условия на рынке в настоящее время довольно сложные. Продолжающаяся война в соседней Украине, энергетический кризис и высокая инфляция создают неопределенность на рынке и не позволяют делать прогнозы.

 

Противостояние вызовам благодаря командной работе

По мнению Валентина Драгу, тот факт, что компания Militzer & Münch Romania занимает столь выгодное положение на рынке, объясняется, прежде всего, высокой мотивацией и упорным трудом ее сотрудников. «Логистическая отрасль очень динамична, необходимо действовать гибко и своевременно реагировать на текущие изменения на рынке. Я очень горжусь тем, что нам это удается даже в трудные времена. Будучи средним предприятием-поставщиком транспортных услуг, мы достойно выдерживаем конкуренцию и поэтому, в целом, смотрим в будущее с оптимизмом», говорит Драгу.

Новое местоположение, новые сотрудники: осенью прошлого года около 30 сотрудников компании Militzer & Münch Romania занимались переездом. Команда генерального директора Валентина Драгу переехала в новые, современные помещения в центре Бухареста. «Наши сотрудники-новоселы рады новым офисам и очень удобному транспортному сообщению. В будущем мы будем рады видеть у нас в команде и новые лица, в настоящее время мы ищем подкрепление», говорит Валентин Драгу.

 

Подъем в сфере дорожных и морских перевозок

В этом году актуальная геополитическая и экономическая ситуации практически не повлияли на деятельность и результаты работы компании Militzer & Münch Romania. И хотя в сфере проектных перевозок компании отмечен небольшой спад, объем автоперевозок увеличился, а в сфере морских перевозок наметился подъем.

Тем не менее, в будущем усилия Валентин Драгу и компании Militzer & Münch Romania будут сосредоточены на перевозках, которые уже доказали свою успешность для его компании: «Мы рассчитываем на то, что в следующем году торговля в Европе активизируется, и это откроет для нас много возможностей. Поэтому сейчас мы работаем над дальнейшим расширением наших перевозок и торговых отношений в этом направлении – и, надеюсь, скоро при энергичной поддержке новых членов команды!»

“Our perseverance paid off”

In December 2020, M&M Militzer & Münch Malaysia was founded. You could say: at the worst possible time. But the challenges of the pandemic did not dissuade the country unit from its ambitious plans and goals. Gopal Krishnan helped to set up the company and fought relentlessly for its success right from the start. We talked to him about the difficult initial phase and the subsequent development of Militzer & Münch Malaysia, about current projects and plans, and his wishes for the future.

Mr. Krishnan, can you describe your organization in a few words?

Militzer & Münch Malaysia is small, but extremely customer-oriented and by now very successful. Although we specialize in projects in the oil and gas sector, we are basically the right partner for any kind of transport.

Due to corona, success was late in coming. How did you experience the start-up phase?

Everything turned out quite differently than we had imagined. The start of our national company fell at a time that you would never choose voluntarily. Normal procedures that are part and parcel of setting up a company, such as opening a bank account, turned out to be a major hurdle. Everything took much longer than planned and demanded lots of dedication and patience from us. That we were still unknown in the market additionally complicated the situation, of course. For many customers, it was simply not the right time to try out a new forwarder. It was only about half a year after the actual founding that we were able to start operations.

This difficult time, how did it shape Militzer & Münch Malaysia, how did it shape you?

Our difficult start has certainly made us who we are today. Even though it was a tour de force, we were able to benefit a lot from the experience. We worked in a very disciplined and determined way, consistently keeping our costs at the lowest possible level, and going to great lengths to win orders. Our perseverance ultimately paid off: we were able to expand our network one step at a time and achieved growth.

One thing that should definitely be emphasized positively here is the support we had from the Militzer & Münch management. There was always a willing ear and a lot of understanding for all our concerns. To us, this proved that we have a reliable partner at our side, even in difficult times.

How did matters develop for Militzer & Münch Malaysia after this very bumpy start?

After the country had almost come to a standstill due to corona, there was a strong upswing from 2022 on, both on the national and the international market. Economy flourished, investments were promoted also on the part of politics, and global demand increased. Thus, for instance, global demand for rubber grew, among other things for the production of rubber gloves. As natural rubber is one of Malaysia’s important natural resources, there was enormous demand on the export market.

Militzer & Münch Malaysia also registered significant growth at this time, we gained new customers, and were able to generate a very good result for 2022, among others, due to a significant order for international project transports in the oil and gas industry. The new year also started very well for us and we are confident that we will be able to continue expanding our business successfully in 2023.

What projects and plans are currently in the pipeline at Militzer & Münch Malaysia?

With some projects, it is too early to say, but what I can say is that we will continue to expand our customer relationships in the oil and gas sector. Our core competence is handling project shipments – we want to keep leveraging this strength and position ourselves as a specialist in the Malaysian market.

And what is your wish for the future of Militzer & Münch Malaysia?

Apart from these plans regarding our projects and orders, my personal goal is to establish Militzer & Münch Malaysia as a successful brand that is not only distinguished by high performance and reliability, but equally lives values such as loyalty, integrity, and respect. We want to be an attractive and reliable employer that promotes the careers of young employees and stands for team spirit. I believe that it is ultimately these qualities that make up the “DNA” of a company, leading to success and securing the company’s future in the long term.

 

Militzer & Münch Malaysia:

The corona pandemic initially thwarted the ambitious plans of the newly founded country unit M&M Militzer & Münch Malaysia, but the team showed perseverance and gained a strong position in the logistics market (see interview). The most important facts about Militzer & Münch Malaysia at a glance:

  • 10 employees make up the Militzer & Münch Malaysia team around Managing Director Gopal Krishnan, who has been heading the country unit since its foundation in late 2020.
  • The oil and gas sector is the most important industry for Militzer & Münch Yet there are also customers from the furniture, food, high-tech and industrial goods sectors, as well as from the health care industry.
  • China is the most important trade partner, followed by Singapore, the USA, Japan and Taiwan.
  • At 70 percent, Militzer & Münch Malaysia handles most of its regular imports and exports by sea. The goods reaching Malaysia come from South Africa, Australia, Italy, and Germany.
  • International shipping companies call at three ports in Malaysia: at Port Kelang, Malaysia’s largest seaport southwest of Kuala Lumpur, and at the ports of Tanjung Pelepas and Pasir Gudang, both located in the south of the country near the border to Singapore.
  • Transit times for Militzer & Münch Malaysia shipments range from 6 days (India, Sri Lanka), and 25 to 31 days (Australia/New Zealand), to 42 to 46 days (Europe). Transpacific goods take more than 50 days to arrive at their destination.
  • Militzer & Münch Malaysia has a special relationship with Germany. The company is a member of the German-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, and cooperates closely with M&M Germany on the local market to further intensify trade activities.
  • Where Militzer & Münch does not have its own local subsidiaries, Militzer & Münch Malaysia relies on a network of partners to serve its local customers, for example in Australia, Singapore, or South Africa.

Sri Lanka: stability in challenging times

Since it was founded in 2018, Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka has seen positive development, while also facing major challenges again and again. The team looks to the future with confidence.

Located on the west coast, the port of Colombo is Sri Lanka’s biggest container port; it is considered one of the most important logistics hubs in the region. Almost 6.9 million TEUs were handled here in 2020. Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka has its headquarters in the direct vicinity of the port. Benefiting from this central location, the Militzer & Münch country unit has successfully established itself in Sri Lanka’s logistics market over the past years. Today, it is a member of the Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA), the association of forwarders and logistics providers.

Good results despite difficult conditions

For the year 2022, the twelve-person team again records good results. This is not to be taken for granted: beside the Corona pandemic, most recently, the ongoing economic crisis and its political consequences also affected the activities of Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka. Fuel shortages, bottlenecks in the power supply, and skyrocketing transport costs burdened the country’s logistics sector; many factories were forced to close.

“Of course, we are glad we can look back on a good year in Sri Lanka despite such adverse circumstances,” says Dilum Stembo, Managing Director of M&M Sri Lanka. “We are aware, however, that there are still challenging times ahead. We are constantly adapting to the changing circumstances so we can continue providing stable services to our customers.”

Focus on export business

In response to tighter import restrictions, Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka changed its strategy and focused on the export business. The main export goods include tea, rubber, and coconut, as well as products of the apparel industry. By concentrating on these exports, Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka was able to minimize the impact of the dollar crisis on its own activities, as exporters pay in US dollars, and shipping companies invoice in US dollars, too.

In order to reduce power consumption, electricity cuts of several hours a day can occur in Sri Lanka. To avoid a standstill of day-to-day operations during such long supply interruptions, the country unit invested in solar cells for its offices to reduce its dependence on the power grid.

These are challenging times for the country’s economy, but of course equally so for local people. “We are deeply committed to helping here,” says Andreas Löwenstein, Regional Managing Director Asia / Far East at Militzer & Münch. “In view of the high inflation, we are accommodating our employees financially.” Dilum Stembo confirms: “Not only the company as a whole but also the staff had to overcome many obstacles. We took efforts to support our staff – also emotionally. I am convinced that it has helped them at least to some degree”

Given the current situation, the course taken has proved successful for Militzer & Münch Sri Lanka, and the country unit has been able to maintain its stability. Says Andreas Löwenstein: “We plan to increase our activities to and from New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, as well as to and from the USA and Canada. We are confident we will cope well with future challenges.”

Top position in the Mediterranean area: Militzer & Münch Tunisia

The Militzer & Münch subsidiary in Tunisia was founded over 25 years ago. Today, about 100 employees work for M&M Militzer & Münch Tunisia. Their core business: road transports from and to France, Italy, and Germany.

Militzer & Münch Tunisia has its headquarters in the port city of Radès, just a few kilometers southeast of Tunis, the capital. Additional branches operate in the port cities of Sousse and Sfax, as well as at Tunis-Carthage International Airport. Air and sea transports are an integral part of the product portfolio, but the Tunisian country unit’s biggest demand is for road transports; with the customers mainly coming from the textile, automotive, raw materials, and manufacturing industries.

An expert for Tunisia’s logistics market

Saber Boussada has been Managing Director at Militzer & Münch Tunisia for almost three years; he is at home in the transport industry. He had previously held various positions at an international freight forwarding company for more than 15 years, and has been Managing Director for more than ten years now. During this time, Saber Boussada got to know the Tunisian market very well: “Tunisia is a small country, and there’s a lot of competition among logistics service providers. In our day-to-day work, we are repeatedly confronted with the intense competition in the market here, and it depends on our performance and our range of services whether we can hold our ground,” he says.

Under his leadership, the country unit has in fact been able to hold its ground very successfully so far: Militzer & Münch Tunisia has achieved a significant profit increase since he joined the company, and the team is very optimistic about the further development of Militzer & Münch Tunisia.

Passionate about logistics

“What unites all Militzer & Münch employees is the enthusiasm for fulfilling customer wishes and demands with tailor-made solutions. Delivering goods to their destinations across the widest range of distances and on international routes is our passion”, is how Saber Boussada sums it all up. “Militzer & Münch Tunisia has secured a strong position in this challenging market. I am proud of this commitment, and I am happy to be part of the Militzer & Münch family!”

Turning challenges into opportunities

Despite the fraught economic and geopolitical situation in 2022, the Militzer & Münch country in Turkey was able to close the year successfully – and the company has ambitious plans for the future.

In 2022, the Militzer & Münch team in Turkey demonstrated that difficult times also offer opportunities. The country unit had to cope with challenges such as the aftermath of the Corona pandemic, increased freight costs, and supply chain bottlenecks. Added to these were the negative development of the Turkish economy, which led to major trade imbalances, and the situation in Ukraine.

Yet the team took the right measures in time. “Thanks to our strong position in Turkey, it was easy for us to adapt to the requirements, thus turning disadvantages into opportunities,” says Ender Atat, Deputy Managing Director at Militzer & Münch Turkey. Alex Sandalcidis, Deputy Managing Director at Militzer & Münch Turkey, adds: “We defined new strategies and introduced new structures on different routes and with different transport modes so that we were able to still meet customer requirements

Militzer & Münch Turkey transports a variety of commodities, including textiles, automotive products, industrial goods, oil and gas equipment, and chemical products. Road haulage accounts for the largest percentage among the transport modes – but sea and air transports are also developing well. Thus, a few months ago, the team restructured the sea freight department in Istanbul in response to increasing requests from customers and partners. Combining carriers is becoming increasingly important, and the staff’s expertise in intermodal and multimodal solutions offers significant benefits to customers.

“Logistics is a people business, and that’s why we have started to invest more in people,” says Cem Ulusoy, Managing Director at Militzer & Münch Turkey. “Our plans for the future include personnel expansion, the reinforcement of our sales and marketing departments, more investment in overseas sales activities, and further steps to strengthen our role in intermodal and multimodal transports.

” Plans are also in place to further expand the project logistics segment and to cooperate even more intensively with the Militzer & Münch Group and overseas agents as well as with partners in those countries where Militzer & Münch is not represented.

The company will also continue investing in digitalization and, in 2023, launch a new IT-based system that will offer more transparency in planning future projects.

A strong location of high potential

Whether capacities, energy prices or personnel costs: for the airfreight industry, the Corona pandemic was not without consequences. At present, it is still virtually impossible to make any long-term plans. In times of uncertainty, however, there are also some constants – like Frankfurt Airport, which has maintained its strong position as a major cargo hub in Central Europe for many companies. Including for Militzer & Münch.

 

M&M air sea cargo GmbH has an office directly at Cargo City South, Frankfurt Airport, where 15 employees work to serve customers; and the service goes far beyond standard freight: the team primarily handles dangerous goods shipments, valuable cargo and GDP (Good Distribution Practice) compliant transports for pharmaceuticals, which are subject to specific requirements, for instance with regard to refrigeration.

Santino Hormuth has been working in the logistics industry for 15 years and has been managing the branch of M&M air sea cargo GmbH at Frankfurt Airport for just over a year. Transports according to GDP guidelines have characterized his work from the very beginning, as immediately after he joined the company, certifications in the GDP area were already taking place. “That was rather challenging for me – after all, I was familiarizing myself with the internal structures, the work processes, and my colleagues at the same time,” he recounts. “Not least thanks to the excellent cooperation on the team, we passed the certifications successfully and have since been working on boosting GDP transports as a product in our portfolio and expanding our customer base in this area.”

Special, in many ways

In 2021, the air freight volume at Frankfurt Airport was around 2.3 million tons, the highest amount of cargo handled at any German airport. Europe-wide, Frankfurt Airport is one of the ten largest airports.

Santino Hormuth appreciates his workplace and is aware of its importance: “Frankfurt Airport is a magnet for companies, an important location for science and education, and one of the biggest workplaces in Germany. It is also the Lufthansa home base and the leading cargo hub in Europe. This gives the airport a very special position also for Militzer & Münch,” he explains. “Moreover, our location directly at the airport is definitely of competitive advantage for us: we are virtually in the middle of the action, and can act fast.”

Speed is the order of the day

Speed plays a crucial role in the handling of air freight projects. In most cases, orders are urgent and need to be handled efficiently and swiftly. In this respect, Militzer & Münch benefits from its decades of experience and presence on the market, as well as from well-practiced teams. This allows for short decision-making paths with a minimum of bureaucracy – and that way, even particularly urgent transports become routine tasks. Santino Hormuth’s team regularly handles just-in-time shipments for automotive suppliers, transports engines and other parts for the air freight industry, and was recently responsible for the transport of equipment for the World Cup in Qatar from Frankfurt to Doha.

Santino Hormuth’s goal for 2023 is to further increase Militzer & Münch’s freight volume at Frankfurt Airport, the number of key accounts, and of existing customers. To this end, among other things, there are plans to restructure the sales department.

“We are still facing tense times. But in my year so far with Militzer & Münch, I have experienced how informal and at the same time professional the cooperation is here at the Frankfurt site and across all branches. Therefore, I am sure that we will successfully master this phase.”

Seasons greetings

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As the Christmas holidays are drawing near, we wish you joyful, restful days among family and friends.
We would like to take the occasion to express our thanks to you for the good cooperation in 2022.
For the challenges of the upcoming year, we wish you good luck, success, health and personal contentment.

M&M Tajikistan: best of the year

Dushanbe. First prize for M&M Tajikistan: the team under Managing Director (MD) Aziz Sharipov won the official competition for best exporter of the year 2021 in the logistics segment. The competition is held every year by the Government’s Export Agency; the award ceremony for the country’s best exporting companies took place at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Dushanbe on November 28.

Proud of this honor is Aziz Sharipov: “It is a great reward for all the work the team has done this year, and it further strengthens the M&M brand name.” The picture shows the M&M Tajikistan team with MD Sharipov (third from left) with the trophy.