Dachser still on a growth course
In 2005 the logistics provider increased its sales by 17% and created 950 new jobs. The outlook for the current year is positive.
22 February 2006. In 2005 Dachser, the international logistics provider headquartered in Kempten (Allgäu/South-west Germany), once again managed to sustain the positive trend of recent years. The company increased its sales by 17% to EUR 2.8 billion (up from EUR 2.4 billion the previous year). All of the company’s divisions posted double-digit growth. Dachser now has 235 locations around the globe.
Bernhard Simon, the spokesman for the Dachser management, sees the strong figures as confirmation of the strategy the company has been pursuing for a number of years. “In recent years, we have built up one of the very best land-based logistics networks in Europe, systematically exploiting state-of-the-art IT processes. And now the market has given its seal of approval to our consistent policy of investing in the future.” Mr Simon was also very pleased with the company’s earnings. Traditionally, the family-owned company – which is not listed on the stock exchange – does not publish profit figures.
In 2005 the number of consignments rose by 9% to 28.7 million, and the company moved a total of 16.7 million tonnes of goods. Dachser now has 235 locations worldwide. Simon was especially pleased to report strong growth in the number of employees: at the end of 2005, Dachser had 13,400 staff (previous year: 12,450), of whom 8,000 work in Germany (compared with 7,500 in 2004). “In other words, we didn’t just manage to improve our key business figures in 2005: we also did our bit for the German job market,” he adds.
All three divisions contribute to growth
Sales in Dachser’s core business, European consolidated freight traffic, were up 18.7% in 2005. That figure includes German overland services, which recorded a 9.8% rise. The Dachser European Logistics division accounts for 67% of total group sales.
Dachser Air & Sea Logistics also played a key part in what was an outstanding year for the company: its sales increased by 26.3%. Dachser’s global intercontinental logistics activities – which focus on the USA, Europe and Asia – generated approx. 19% of total group sales.
The third division, Dachser Food Logistics, notched up an 11.4% rise in sales in 2005. In its food logistics activities, Dachser offers a combination of full-coverage freight networks and contract logistics services, and is the second-biggest provider in the German market.
Positive outlook for 2006
The new fiscal year has got off to a good start, and Mr Simon believes that the company will be able to record further double-digit growth in 2006. Once again, the company’s approved investment budget stands at over EUR 100 million. “We aim to use that investment volume to ensure that we continue to improve the quality of our services,” Simon comments.
With effect from 1 January 2006, Thomas Reuter joined the company’s management. As the new head of the Dachser Air & Sea Logistics division he replaces Dieter Bendele, who retired on age grounds. Over the coming years Mr Reuter will devote much energy to developing the company’s global presence. Dachser has recently drawn up a strategy to support this process.
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