GERMANY\\\


Logistics is the third largest industry in Germany aſter automotive and the wholesale and retail sector. It employs about 2.9 million people and generated about €235 billion euros in 2014, says Stefan Hensel, in charge of public relations for two German logistics ‘clusters’. The clusters can be likened


to a combination of the UK’s Freight Transport Association, which lobbies politicians and provides practical help for the logistics industry, and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, which is concerned mostly with training and personal development. The two clusters, Network


Logistics Thuringia and Network Logistics Leipzig-Halle represent 180 members including logistics companies as well as airports, universities and public bodies and support them in developing their business in the region. They also include companies involved in personnel and property management, regional administrative bodies, the cities of Leipzig and Halle, regional chambers of industry and trade and research and development institutes. Both clusters have been


cooperating closely for over a year. They give the logistics industry a voice with the public and politicians, promote cooperation within the industry and encourage innovation through exchanges with academic institutions. They also support the industry in the increasingly difficult search for suitable specialists and junior staff. In Germany there are several


areas that can be regarded as logistics centres, Stefan Hensel continues. One of the fastest developing is the central region,


including Leipzig-Halle and Erfurt. There has been heavy investment in infrastructure in the territory of the former East Germany in the 25 years aſter the fall of the Berlin Wall. The region now has well- developed road and rail routes, Leipzig/Halle airport - Europe’s fiſth-largest cargo hub - as well as extensive inland waterways. With the eastward enlargement


of the EU, the location has become more and more important and now benefits from its favorable geographic location with all important European production and consumption sites reachable within a short time. “This is the reason why the site is ideally suited for the distribution of goods, for example from China to Europe,” Stefan Hensel explains. In addition, land is available for


logistics business expansion close to transport hubs and, moreover, at moderate prices, says Stefan Hensel. “The potential of the Central


German region is still far from exhausted. We want Leipzig- Halle to be one of top hubs in international trade,” explains chairman of Netzwerk Logistik Leipzig-Halle, Toralf Weisse. His counterpart at Logistik


Netzwerk Thüringen, Joachim Werner, adds: “Thuringia is about to develop into one of the most important e-commerce centers. This is the reason why we are strongly committed to the industry, so the general conditions at the site remain as attractive as they are.” In addition to DHL at Leipzig/


Halle airport, numerous other companies have set up in the Central German region, attracted by its many advantages. For example, DB Schenker operates a logistics center for the BMW


Rotterdam has the country covered


The port of Rotterdam has appointed Roland Klein as its representative in Germany. He will cover the Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and southern Hessen regions, including the cities of Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Frankfurt, Mainz and Stuttgart, all areas where Rotterdam would like to attract more cargo. The port authority also wants


to increase the market share in the hinterland and to expand the role of


inland shipping and the railways in hinterland transport, particularly in south-west Germany. Two


years ago Rotterdam


appointed Ingrid Rossmeier as its representative in Bavaria. Roland Klein was


recently


managing director of the KTL Ludwigshafen intermodal terminal and his wide experience in logistics includes time spent at rail operator Deutsche Bahn. He also has wide knowledge of the chemical industry.


Leipzig plant, with automobile logistics provider Schnellecke also represented at the site. Schnellecke also works for the Porsche factory in Leipzig. The


emerging e-commerce


industry is represented not only by Amazon in Leipzig, but also by Zalando and Redcoon in Erfurt. Furthermore,


Europe’s largest media logistics centre, KNV


Issue 6 2015 - Freight Business Journal Germany’s Logistics Central


Logistik was opened in Erfurt at the end of last year. One fiſth of the goods for the German book market will be supplied from here in the near future. In addition, a wide range of logistics service providers of all sizes and specializations can be found in Central Germany. As in other parts of the country,


or indeed Europe, there is a noticeable skills shortages in the


Central German region. Vacancies cannot be easily filled, unlike a few years ago. Professional drivers are particularly sought aſter, along with specialists in warehouse logistics and other logistics-related


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professionals. This is an important aspect of the logistics clusters’ work; they are increasingly promoting the profession and aim to recruit professionals from abroad for the region.


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