Filip Simovic is Managing Director of M&M Militzer & Münch Serbia. The company is one of the market leaders in the Balkan region. In our interview, he discusses what defines good logistics, what the biggest challenges are for global supply chains, and where his company is heading.
Mr. Simovic, how would you describe the focus of Militzer & Münch’s activities in Serbia?
M&M Militzer & Münch Serbia offers a wide range of logistics services, which include road, air and rail transportation, warehousing and supply chain management. We have evolved into a stable company and an important player in the regional logistics network. We offer our customers reliable and efficient services. Here I would like to emphasize road transport in particular, which is an important element in the global logistics chain. Commitment to quality and reliability is the cornerstone of our business philosophy at Militzer & Münch Serbia.
Our broad portfolio includes diverse services, with a focus on the automotive industry and time-critical deliveries throughout Europe. We are known for meeting even the most stringent customer requirements. To this end, our high number of truck transports with two drivers helps us in particular. The automotive industry requires a lot of attention and efficiency. Since our foundation, we have achieved exceptional lead times in both the LTL and FTL sectors.
In my opinion, good logistics include above all fast and accurate delivery, efficient inventory management, cost optimization, the selection of ideal transport routes, a high level of safety, and high-quality customer service. These are the principles on which we align our business and our activities.
What role does Militzer & Münch Serbia play within the Militzer & Münch Group?
The role of M&M Militzer & Münch Serbia is to act as a central hub for logistics activities in the region. We integrate our local resources and expertise into the global framework of the group. The appeal of the Balkan countries lies in their ability to offer customized logistics solutions while meeting global quality and reliability standards.
What were the most important milestones you have achieved in the last five years?
We have reached our goal of becoming a market-leading company. This required the continuous improvement of our operational capabilities, hiring experts with in-depth experience and local market knowledge, and adapting to specific customer needs. One of the most important milestones of the last five years was building a professional and dedicated team, which is crucial for our long-term success. In addition, our stable growth in market share, improvement of operational efficiency through advanced technological solutions, and the expansion into new geographical areas in the Balkans contributed significantly to our success. The expansion of our warehouse capacity was also a decisive step in meeting the growing demands of our customers.
My goal for Militzer & Münch Serbia is for us to continue on our path to market leadership in the logistics sector in the coming years. We want to expand our services to new market segments and further increase our operational efficiency.
In your opinion, what are the biggest global challenges in the supply chain industry?
The biggest global challenges in the supply chain industry are the complexity of global networks, different regulations, supply chain risks and the implementation of digitalization and sustainable practices. Overcoming these challenges requires innovative technological approaches, increased collaboration within the supply chain and active risk management.
How important is sustainability in logistics today?
Sustainability is an imperative not only in logistics, but in all industries. In my opinion, sustainability should not just be a marketing term, but rather part of everyday practice. Many companies are making efforts to implement ecological ideas in their facilities, as I was able to see personally at the recent “(Un)ready for the Green Future” event organized by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce. The event sparked important discussions about the challenges and opportunities of a green future. The focus of a panel discussion, where I represented Militzer & Münch Serbia, was on the propagation of best practices among the participating companies. There is an ever-increasing demand on the part of customers for responsible logistics that minimize their environmental impact via efficient resource management, the use of environmentally friendly means of transport and the reduction of their carbon footprint.
You were recently elected to the board of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce. What do you hope to accomplish in this new role?
Indeed, I was recently elected to the Board and have since been appointed Deputy Chairman of the Board. My aim is to contribute to strengthening the economic cooperation between Germany and Serbia and to represent the interests of our members. I want to use this role to promote innovation, to facilitate cooperation between companies, and to advance economic opportunities and the exchange of knowledge.
