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Gebrüder Weiss Romania: 650,000 transports carried out through Home Delivery in 5 years since launch
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In 2023, home delivery volumes increased by 4%
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Starting from the end of 2023, 7 electric trucks are delivering in metropolitan areas of Cluj, Sibiu, Brasov, Craiova, Constanta, and Iasi
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For 2024, the expansion of deliveries with electric trucks is foreseen
Gebrüder Weiss Romania, one of the main players in the local transportation and logistics solutions market, has achieved approximately 650,000 transports in the 5 years since the launch of the Home Delivery service, marking consistent year-over-year growth. Furthermore, 2023 marked the beginning of a significant social and environmental impact project, involving the delivery with electric vehicles for a key client in their portfolio.
The Home Delivery service was launched in the Romanian market in 2018 in response to the existing need to deliver bulky goods to the final consumer's home (individual parcel weight of at least 25 kg). Since its inception, it has attracted clients from the do-it-yourself (DIY) and furniture industries, as well as the white goods sector – appliances, currently serving a diversified portfolio of clients.
The company's network of strategically positioned logistics hubs throughout the country ensures the advantage of providing an efficient home delivery service in any area of the country. Furthermore, delivery to the place of use/home with two delivery personnel, express deliveries (24/48h), Saturday deliveries, and the management of returns have proven to have a beneficial impact on the development of Home Delivery.
Over 4% growth in volumes delivered directly to homes in 2023
Regarding the performance of the Home Delivery service in the past year, the company's data indicates that nearly 130,000 transports were carried out in 2023, showing a slight increase compared to 2022 (+1.14%). At the same time, the total tonnage of transported goods increased by over 4%, reaching approximately 36,000 tons, with the majority of volumes coming from the furniture/Home&Deco industry.
2023 stood out as a year of consolidation for the home delivery service, following the trend set by the sectors it serves, consolidating volumes comparable to those of the previous year. However, 2023 meant an increase in visibility among customers and the attraction of new partners.
Metropolitan areas of the largest cities in the country demonstrated once again an increased appetite for the Home Delivery service, and approximately 70% of the total volume of transported goods was distributed in the central-western region of the country.
Another significant aspect of the Home Delivery evolution was the introduction of 7 electric trucks into the delivery flow starting at the end of 2023. These electric trucks are operational for our client in the metropolitan areas of Cluj, Sibiu, Brasov, Craiova, Constanta, and Iasi, totaling over 2,000 deliveries in the last three months of 2023. This strategic step not only actively contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also brings additional benefits, such as reducing noise pollution.
"Of course, we are still in the period of adaptation and learning, but the feedback received both from the drivers using these vehicles, who are excited to be in direct contact with state-of-the-art technology, and from the recipients who appreciate our environmental care, motivates us to continue and develop this project in 2024," stated Viorel Leca, General Manager of Gebrüder Weiss Romania.
Ambitious future plans for the Home Delivery service
According to its statements, Gebrüder Weiss Romania aims to increase the number of electric vehicles operated for the client with whom it has already initiated this project by the end of 2024.
Gebrüder Weiss Romania's perspectives for this year also revolve around the objective of optimizing operational efficiency through the implementation of automated notifications for customers and the automation of the packaging monitoring process.
"The national and international economic and political context, coupled with declining purchasing power, could influence the performance of the home delivery service in 2024. Nevertheless, we are determined to offset this aspect by expanding our client portfolio, focusing on strengthening relationships with existing partners, and attracting new partnerships in this service segment," concluded Viorel Leca.
Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, headquartered in Lauterach, Austria, is a global provider of comprehensive logistics services with approximately 8,400 employees and 180 company-owned locations. In the recently concluded fiscal year, the company achieved an annual turnover of 3 billion euros (2022). Its portfolio includes transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The combination of digital and physical competence enables the company to respond rapidly and flexibly to customer needs. Through numerous ecological, economic, and social measures, the family-owned company, with a transport history spanning over 500 years, is recognized as a pioneer in sustainable business practices.
Gebrüder Weiss is celebrating 30 years of activity in Romania and currently relies on a national infrastructure of logistics hubs located in Bucharest, Arad, Sibiu, Cluj, Bac?u, Brasov, Constanta, and Craiova. The Sibiu branch was expanded in 2022, and in 2023, the construction of the second logistics hub near Bucharest began. The company provides its customers with intelligent logistics solutions and offers flexible distribution services through road, rail, air, and sea transportation.