Pioneer unpacks 150 stories from 150 years. Born in Europe. Told in Europe. Anniversary Magazine going on, Gottfried? What’s
Back to the future – forward in time Gottfried Schenker: Mr. Schweighofer, as an Austrian with roots in Switzerland, I welcome the fact that an Austrian now sits at the helm of DB Schenker in Europe. In this, the year of the company’s 150th anniversary, you are celebrating your 35th year with the company. I do hope you have already celebrated this occasion properly, with a glass of sparkling wine perhaps? Helmut Schweighofer: I place my personal anniversary at the company in second place. As for the company’s anniversary, I raised a toast to that at the European Management Convention. My anniversary is August 1st, so I won’t be celebrating my 35 years at DB Schenker until then. As a logistics specialist, I strive to function with the precision of a Swiss clock. GS: Very commendable. You did an traineeship in my company, and you went to college. I myself broke off my law studies at age 23. So, one could say that you are much better qualified than I am. HS: In life, it’s always the twist of fate that opens up paths for us. In your time, and during the spirit of optimism that characterized the Danubian monarchy, there was probably less demand for knowledge of law, but all the more for entrepreneurship and a pioneering spirit – and you simply supplied these through your personality. For me, the logistics training was a good foundation – and the university studies were important in order to be equipped for the challenges in an increasingly complex world. GS: And do you also feel yourself to be an entrepreneur? HS: I grew up in the tri-country region on Lake Constance, where you can practically inhale entrepreneurship – it’s everywhere. DB Schenker is also characterized by the fact that employees have a lot of personal responsibility. In the past two years, we have shown how strong and responsible we are in a crisis. Gottfried Schenker – Born 1842 in Däniken, Switzerland, died 1901 in Vienna, Austria. – 1872 he founded, together with Moritz Karpeles and Moritz Hirsch, the company Spedition Schenker & Co., based in Vienna. Martin Muliar – Born 1959 in Vienna, Austria. – The actor, who looks like he could be Gottfried Schenker’s twin, is playing the role of the company founder for this anniver- sary edition. Helmut Schweighofer – Born 1969 in Bregenz, Austria. – He started at DB Schenker as a trainee, studied international business management and, after working in Bregenz, London, Sofia and Vienna, became CEO of DB Schenker in Europe in 2018. 2 3 4 5 1 First things first: Who better to judge how the company is doing today than Helmut Schweighofer, CEO of DB Schenker in Europe? Gottfried Schenker caught up with him in Frankfurt Dear readers, It was 150 years ago, in Vienna, that I founded Spedition Schenker & Co. Now, I return – as a time traveler – to see what has become of my life’s work. In this issue, you will find 150 distinct and exciting bits of knowledge from within the DB Schenker universe to mark this anniversary – everything from brief facts to comprehensive explorations. Join me on a moving journey into the past, present and future of one of the world’s largest logistics companies! Most sincerely yours, Gottfried Schenker 2 3
Grounded We are the leader in European land transportation, connecting the most important economic regions in more than 47 European countries with a network that offers around 32,000 scheduled trips per week. Winged When it comes to Air and Ocean freight, DB Schenker is one of the best in the world. We operate or commission around 1,200 charter flights a year, connecting hubs on all continents. Martin Muliar transforms into Gottfried Schenker. Check out the making-of video here: Best in class DB Schenker is one of the leading provider of global logistics services. We support industry and commerce with the global exchange of goods. Stronger DB Schenker generated total sales of 23.443 billion euros in 2021. We like to keep your business moving DB Schenker is making it easier for companies to make a fresh start after the COVID-19 crisis. This message is the focus of the Europe-wide multimedia campaign for which the logistics provider has branded 1,000 trucks in its fleet with the hashtag #WeKeepEuropeMoving. 6 7 10 11 12 GS: What fascinates you most about our business? For me, the biggest allure has been the challenge of moving my freight as efficiently as possible and expanding my operations into as many new countries as possible. HS: That’s what connects us. I have always found internationality appealing – and fun. My motivation lies in always finding solutions for our customers that no one else can deliver – or, as you put it, solutions that we can, and do, deliver better than anyone. GS: After 150 years, does anything still remain of my founding spirit? How have you been able to keep my company youthful and lively after such a long period of time? HS: What you placed in our cradle, so to speak, is enormously important for what we do today: I’m talking about the ability to take responsibility and act like an entrepreneur. We steer the company through difficult times, from economic crises to pandemics and the fight to save our planet. The resilience we’ve developed keeps us alert and fit at the same time. What keeps us youthful and lively? Diversity and commitment to our people, yes, absolutely – and also enthusiasm for our customers. Pioneering Logistical masterpiece: a visit to the Nuremberg hub of DB Schenker Venturing out DB Schenker has its own unit for investing in startups A look at the lab Autonomous driving, heavy-duty drones and 3D printing: scientists are tinkering with the future of logistics 06 12 14 Imprint Schenker Europe GmbH, Marketing & Communications, Edmund-Rumpler-Straße 3, 60549 Frankfurt, Germany Credits: Ayse Dincer Aktas (illustrations); bpk Bildagentur; Greta von Richthofen (illustrations); iStock/lucentius; iStock/gorodenkoff; Peter Rigaud; Shutterstock; Simeon Johnke; all other photos from DB Schenker Contents Hidden champion Visibility, joint protection, warmth: this is what a logistics worker’s clothing has to provide Looking for adventure Daily life at DB Schenker is exciting. Five employees share their stories Milestones The impressive (hi)story of the DB Schenker company The future of logistics is green How the company plans to achieve climate-neutrality 18 20 22 24 GS: Yes, the trust of our customers is our greatest asset. HS: What was your best business decision? GS: Consolidated freight. At that time, we were dealing with a big tangle of customs formalities in Europe and a larger number of rail companies than there are today. By combining many small shipments into larger transport units, Schenker was able to ship goods internationally much more efficiently than other freight forwarders. HS: If you had known then what you know now, is there anything you would do differently? GS: I would not invest all my time and energy in the company again. My life has been a frenzied one. Today, I would be what you refer to as a “workaholic”. My advice to all people at Schenker is this: Ensure that you lead a balanced lifestyle, no matter what position you hold in the company. Helmut Schweighofer CEO of DB Schenker in Europe “ Resilience keeps us alert and fit at the same time. Peak performers DB Schenker’s team includes a surprising number of top athletes CCO meets truck driver Oliver Bohm and Jan van Ierland on experiences at the borders Record-breaking Numbers that speak for themselves Final frontier From space logistics to hyperloops: Gottfried Schenker talks to CEO Jochen Thewes about visions of the future 30 34 37 38 Christian Hein Executive Vice President Air Freight at DB Schenker in Europe “ We ensure every shipment reaches its destination safely – anywhere in the world. 8 9 4 5
The long journey starts at 1:30 p.m. on a Tuesday in city of Fürth in Middle Franconia, Germany. A truck puts on its blinker and sets off in the direction of Nuremberg. Its cargo: a few dozen toy excavators packed in lightbrown boxes. Its destination: Portugal. The goods will be on the road for a total of three days, lashed down in a white “swap body,” as the transport containers are known in freight-forwarding parlance. DB Schenker, whose logo is emblazoned on the truck, has long been part of the road scene in Europe. The fact that children in Portugal, 2,200 kilometers away, will soon be playing with these toy excavators is the result of a logistical mega-achievement. At its center: DB Schenker’s hub in Nuremberg, the Franconian metropolis. The branch in southern Nuremberg is the most important hub for the European land transport network. Around 2,500 metric tons of goods are delivered, moved and forwarded here every day. “The whole system is designed for efficiency. All the cogs have to mesh. That’s the challenge we face every day,” says Niko Vollmer, head of the Collection & Distribution (“CoDi”) department at DB Schenker’s Frankfurt headquarters. “We give customers a guarantee that we will meet the deadlines.” At the heart of the Nuremberg office are four large transshipment halls. Around the clock, trucks from all over Europe are unloaded here and their goods distributed for onward transport. Even deep in the night, up to 65 forklifts and electric pallet trucks (fulfillment robots) scurry across the 10,000-square-meter area, heaving the pallets from the delivery ramps on one side to the destination ramps on the other side of the halls, where they are loaded onto new swap bodies. Beforehand, the dispatchers have collected all the information digitally and passed it on to the relevant departments. The Linehaul Network System (LiNeS), which is used by the European DB Schenker community, is one of the tools that help with this. The application records all data on deliveries in intercompany traffic, stores production schedules, and indicates precise times for arrivals and departures at the terminals. At 4:30 p.m., the toy excavators from Fürth arrive in Hall Two. At 4:35 p.m., a forklift driver forks the pallet and moves it to Hall Local service For DB Schenker in Nuremberg, 100 trucks are dedicated just to short-haul transport. And two eTrucks, each with a range of around 100 kilometers, make deliveries throughout the region. Via air freight Every month, 6,500 shipments with a total weight of 2,300 metric tons are handled and checked for safety in the company’s own X-ray facilities. A question of efficiency Every day, around 2,500 metric tons of goods are received and forwarded at the Nuremberg location. Niko Vollmer, Head of Collection & Distribution at DB Schenker in Germany Bernd Drossel, Branch Manager Nuremberg Land at DB Schenker in Germany Integration location Nuremberg offers a full range of transport solutions – from trade fair freight forwarding, to ocean and air freight, to logistics. From Nuremberg out into the world Every day, around 130 trucks swarm out from the DB Schenker hub in Germany’s Franconia region, headed off in every conceivable direction. 19 20 21 22 23 18 From to A B How do goods get to the department store shelves? Most products travel many kilometers to get to the locations where they are needed. And in order for this process to happen smoothly, pallets have to be scanned, trucks have to be loaded and data has to be managed – around the clock. A visit to the Nuremberg hub of DB Schenker in Germany History It was 135 years ago that Schenker opened its first branch office, in Nuremberg. New center In 2014, the branch office on Bremer Street opened for business. Widely connected 430 European locations can be reached from Nuremberg. Many objectives 84 European destinations are served from Nuremberg. Nuremberg is one of the most important hubs within the European land transport network. 13 14 16 17 15 6 7
Four. At 6:05 p.m., the mini-excavators are loaded into the swap body. The distribution of the transport containers to the individual ramps is also precisely planned. Waldemar drives one of the four shunting trucks that are used to move the swap bodies to the proper ramps: reverse, lift, move over, set down. Waldemar used to be a bus driver, now the 59-year-old steers his “weasel” with breathtaking precision over the huge logistics area. He covers about 80 kilometers a day, he says. Waldemar receives the order from the dispatcher on the tablet PC attached to the armature. “Digital yard management” is another important advance. “When information was still transmitted by radio, there was a risk that the driver would misunderstand the number of a ramp”, says Vollmer. In Nuremberg, staff have been working with the system since 2019, and soon it will be used nationwide. The Right-of-way for white More than 300 swap bodies and 30 trailers are in use for DB Schenker Nuremberg. Nimble as a weasel 65 ground conveyance vehicles make sure that operations in the terminal run smoothly. 26 27 Nuremberg site is known for its innovative spirit. Autonomous driving with a “weasel” was tested here three years ago. In 2021, an airplane pilot steered a shunting truck by remote control, moving it from the office building all the way across the site. In addition, two zero-emission trucks have been in use for The size of 1.5 football fields The four interconnected transshipment halls at the Nuremberg hub location have a total area of more than 10,000 square meters and feature 139 ramps. 24 Cyrille Bonjean EVP, Head of Land Transport at DB Schenker in Europe “ We bring digital experts and industry experts together daily. 25 8 9
The human factor at the center Approximately 500 employees work for DB Schenker at the Nuremberg hub. And that’s not just during the day, but also at night. Tech support 50 tablet PCs are in constant use within the terminal and facilitate communication. “What a development! In 1874, I had branches in Budapest, Bucharest, Prague and London. Today we have 1,850 locations worldwide.” (Gottfried Schenker) Always on the move The four shunting trucks together achieve a good 1,200 transfer operations per day. Ecologically sound The processes of DB Schenker’s logistics network are almost paperless. Just keep moving Transshipment halls are constantly busy. Otherwise, Nuremberg’s Regional Hub South would quickly get overfilled and shut down the entire logistics network. “Touch and Go” Based on this principle, goods in the Nuremberg hub are to be forwarded as quickly as possible. Know where Each ramp is marked with a number as well as an abbreviation that shows the destination. Next stop: the waterfront Ocean freight: the Nuremberg hub moves some 1,200 containers and 1,300 cubic meters as piece goods monthly. 30 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 36 transports in downtown Nuremberg for several months. “We like to try out new things, even if some technology may not yet be suitable for everyday use,” says Bernd Drossel, Branch Manager Nuremberg Land at DB Schenker. “We always want to know what is possible.” Anyone who works with such mega-volumes as DB Schenker needs the highest level of planning. “Touch and Go” is the name of the principle used in Nuremberg: the goods are reloaded and transported onward shortly after arrival. As a rule, there is no provision for storage. If the site were to be shut down for just a few hours, the halls in Nuremberg would be full to bursting within a very short time. That, in turn, would have an impact on all other branches. “If Nuremberg has the sniffles, all of Europe gets the flu,” says Vollmer. Fortunately, however, this has never happened. In order to further optimize planning, the Group has been using “big data” for personnel and vehicle deployment for some time now. Experts at the global DB Schenker headquarters in Essen have developed an algorithm that is fed with data from previous years – such as quantity of goods, trucks, public holidays, peaks in goods. The algorithm uses this data to produce a forecast for the coming days or even a strategic plan for the next quarter. The variance is currently around four percent. “The system is still being fine-tuned, but already it’s giving us a new line of stability,” Vollmer says. “Despite all the automation, however, our business remains a ‘people’s business.’ We rely on the passion and skills of our employees.” The pallet of toy excavators sets out on schedule at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday. The truck rolls toward the highway. At 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, the cargo arrives in the city of Porto, Portugal. Then another round of scanning, unloading, transferring and loading. The last leg leads to a department store on the outskirts of the city: new supplies for more construction sites in more sandboxes. “The political and economic developments demand agility in the supply chain.” Joachim Schaut, Vice President Intercontinental Supply Chain Solutions at DB Schenker 10
37–48 DB Schenker forms its own internal unit to invest in startups – with a clear focus on logistics and supply chain management. The aim: to drive innovation in the industry together with young companies Partners in crime. What’s in it for you? Support that founders receive from Schenker Ventures: – Validation support from our partner MVP Factory in an 8- to 12-week validation process – €300k pre-seed funding – Funders remain in full control of their company – Continuous support – Monthly living stipend Networking DB Schenker already works with over 50 startups and tech companies worldwide from various business and functional units. Funders German startups are to receive venture capital more easily in the future by law. The aim: to further strengthen the German venture capital market. High potential 3,348 new startups were registered in 2021, 11% more than in 2020. The number of companies with external investors increased by 27% to 2,087. Investment We invest from seed up to Series B financing rounds. The ticket size ranges between €500k and €5 million. Vertical start Since its founding in 2018, Laserhub has attracted over 7,500 customers, delivered over 50,000 orders and produced over 7.5 million parts. Get in touch If you would like to learn more about Schenker Ventures or get in touch with one of our portfolio companies, reach out to schenkerventures@dbschenker.com. Paulina Banszerus, Chief Investment Manager at Schenker Ventures “ With Warehousing1 and Laserhub, our investment strategy is completely on track. Patric Hoffmann, Head of Schenker Ventures “ Great ideas require great entrepreneurial freedom. Changing the industry Schenker Ventures was launched in 2021. The idea behind it is to use DB Schenker’s strong industry network to give young companies a competitive edge, to provide financial support and to make specialized knowledge accessible. The unit bundles all of DB Schenker’s venture activities and is based on two pillars: Venture Studio and Venture Capital. Venture Studio was set up together with the startup incubator MVP Factory. The team enables suitable founders to promote the transformation of the logistics industry. Each venture is based on its own ideas, but can also draw on concepts that Schenker Ventures and MVP Factory have developed together. Selected founders receive all the resources they need to launch a successful company, including capital, mentoring and specialized knowledge. Schenker Venture’s first investment was Warehousing1, an e-commerce fulfillment platform provider based in Berlin, Germany. The platform addresses a fast- growing market segment of logistics with a highly scalable digital and low-asset solution. Schenker Ventures strives to create a competitive advantage through its network and expertise. Funding and founding Venture Capital is a value-adding early-stage investor backed by DB Schenker. The aim is to act as a longterm investor focusing on seed to Series B+ startups in the versatile fields of logistics and supply chain management. Emphasis is given to business models targeted toward digital, technology-driven and sustainability-oriented concepts. Warehousing1: e-commerce as growth sector With Schenker Ventures, Laserhub has gained a strategic venture capital investor who, in addition to financial support, provides the startup with additional added value. Laserhub was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, in 2017 with the aim of radically simplifying the procurement process for custom metal parts. The automated, digital platform covers orders for laser cutting, bending, laser tube cutting and CNC turning. Laserhub aims to establish itself as the clear market leader in Europe in 2023 with sales in the hundreds of millions of euros. Laserhub: stable supply chains Looking for a venture 13 12 Shaping the way the world connects
Whether delivery drones, virtual forklift training or 3D printing – innovations are changing the logistics industry. This is why various members of the DB Schenker staff are busy working on new technologies. For the past seven years they have been supported by scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute – with impressive results Where the Three times a year is how often the DB Schenker steering committee gets together with the Fraunhofer IML to discuss which topics are gaining ground. Digital colleagues The mixed teams from DB Schenker and the Fraunhofer IML mostly collaborate virtually. 20 prototypes and 40 projects have already been launched through the joint efforts of DB Schenker and the IML. Collaborating worldwide DB Schenker works with many startups worldwide to fill market niches more quickly. Digital solution Thanks to BinPACKER, the algorithm behind load planning, different- sized objects are stacked more intelligently. Road gives way to air The VoloDrone could soon be joining the delivery truck on local journeys. 49 future is made 50 Transport is in Erik Wirsing’s blood. His grandfather having founded a trucking company in 1935, Erik effectively grew up in the business and trained as a forwarding agent before he went to university. But as Vice President Gobal Innovation at DB Schenker, he also knows that however fond one is of tradition, it is critical to look to the future. Wirsing’s job, therefore, is to bring new knowledge into the company and “prepare it as well as possible for the future.” And the future has plenty in store – including the VoloDrone, a futuristic-looking transport drone that aims to one day fly loads of up to 200 kg into city centers. Over two meters tall and 10 meters long, the electrically operated drone features vertical takeoff, rendering air corridors unnecessary and sparing city dwellers from bothersome noise. Wirsing sees the drones as an ideal partner for cargo bikes. Their mini-hubs spread around the city could easily be shared by the VoloDrones. “For unloading, they need a 15x15-meter space,” he explains. They could “simply be added” to the cargo hubs. This would give rise to mini logistics centers in the city that would cut down on delivery traffic. This futuristic vision could already be a reality within two years, with Volocopter’s air taxi set to be used at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. Autonomous driving, too, is progressing nicely. Soon we could have a setup where a driver is present but only needs to steer occasionally, if at all; Wirsing predicts this could happen in three to four years. The next step in the development will be drivers in areas such as yard management no longer sitting in the truck, but steering it remotely from elsewhere. Such remote operation helps resolve present-day challenges and paves the way for future possibilities. This would also do away with the driver’s cab, which is currently still one of the biggest cost factors of the vehicle. “Since the cabs have to protect the person, we are increasingly fitting them with sensor systems,” explains Wirsing. For this technical advance, however, we absolutely have to “have the public on board, when a 40-tonner with no driver’s cab suddenly appears around the corner.” In fact, Germany could be the first country in the world to allow autonomous driving, as the relevant legislation was already set in motion by the previous government. That said, there is one small matter that could delay 51 53 54 55 56 52 Boris Otte CIO at DB Schenker in Europe “ When it comes to digitalization of logistics, we’re ahead of the curve. The Fraunhofer IML is the ideal partner for us in this regard. Our man for tomorrow Business administrator Erik Wirsing began his career with Schenker Eurocargo in 1999. Today he is Vice President Global Innovation at DB Schenker 14 15
62 everything: “For autonomous driving you need blanket 5G coverage,” says Wirsing. Innovation for Wirsing means “taking a look at things, delving into them … but then quickly letting them go again.” Wirsing is assisted in this trial-and-error process by Nuri Morava, Program Lead Global R&D and Early Stage Technologies, according to his business card. Or as Morava explains: “I’m in charge of the research and development programs.” Together with his colleague Laura Peters, Morava is the link between DB Schenker and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) in Dortmund, Germany, who joined forces seven years ago to create the “DB Schenker Innovation Lab.” Anything that doesn’t exist yet, “we simply invent ourselves,” says Wirsing. “ Anything that doesn’t exist yet, we simply invent ourselves. Erik Wirsing, Vice President Global Innovation at DB Schenker “Our topics are worked on by interdisciplinary teams,” says Morava. Once his team has collected any questions arising in the company and listened to ideas and requests from the customers, colleagues from DB Schenker put their heads together with staff from the Fraunhofer Institute to work on the specific topic. But the Fraunhofer experts, too, often come up with important ideas for potential topics to be considered, which then go through various phases until the steering committee has narrowed them down for a new lab project. The Fraunhofer IML offers the “Enterprise Lab” format, with around 10 companies currently using such labs. One of the ideas they tested for DB Schenker was how 3D printing technology could be used in entrepreneurial ways. This was almost five years ago now, explains Dr. Nuri Morava The business studies graduate has been with DB Schenker since 2018. As Program Lead R&D, he is responsible for the programs for the company’s research and development department. As such, his job is to monitor technological progress and explore it early on for opportunities in the logistics realm. 63 Innovators DB Schenker has a state-of-the-art lab for developing and testing the technologies that will shape the logistics of tomorrow. Turning the tide In Norway, DB Schenker is planning an autonomous, fully electric coastal feeder ship with zero emissions. Electrified 2021 saw DB Schenker test a driverless e-vehicle for transporting goods. Virtual reality New training program: using a VR headset, staff at DB Schenker can learn motion sequences from anywhere. E-employees An autonomous forklift truck has been in operation at our Eching site since 2020. 3D printing DB Schenker is the first logistics provider in the world to offer a 3D printing service – since 2021. Multitalented The scientists in our lab are working on autonomously flying inventory multicopters. The aim: automated warehouse stocktaking. 59 57 58 60 64 61 Morava: together with the Fraunhofer IML, DB Schenker examined areas such as market positioning, business models and the state of the technology. Something that was thought to be in competition with the industry – after all, what does a logistics company do when all its customers’ spare parts can be 3D printed on site? – eventually became a genuine distinct business model, since 3D printing, too, requires the structures that DB Schenker offers. “Up to now, professional 3D printers have simply been too expensive for most companies. And they also have to be fed with raw materials,” explains Morava. Raw materials that have to be delivered. While the exploration of 3D printing was more like a study for the DB Schenker Innovation Lab, elsewhere the results were more concrete: the high cost of training was to be reduced and upskilling improved, “with more of a fun element,” says Morava. This squaring of the circle is made possible by virtual reality. With a virtual reality headset, employees learn, for example, how to drive a forklift truck. It sounds like a video game – and it almost is: in the “Packing Training” program, for instance, the learner finds themself in a virtual environment with a table, on which lies a half-eaten apple, explains Morava. They have to decide what to do next: How do I clear away the table? Which packing material do I use? How do I label it? And what do I do with the apple? Even though there might be a little grumbling when a 150-year-old company comes up against the issue of innovation, Morava is very pleased with the progress, because “a lot more people across the whole organization are now engaging with the subject of innovation.” And therefore also with the future of DB Schenker. 16 17
KNEEPADS If you ever have to kneel: these pads reliably protect bones, ligaments and tendons. They could also be used for marriage proposals in the warehouse. After all, almost a third of all married couples meet in the workplace. MEN & WOMEN Of course, the collection was de- signed for women, too. On that topic: DB Schenker has long been committed to equal opportunity for all employees, regardless of gender, age, nationality, religion or sexual orientation. For example, an internal women’s network is being set up. WASH & CARE The clothing is designed to protect the wearer. But just wearing the clothing is not enough. To ensure lasting func- tionality, the washing instructions for each garment should be followed exactly. Here are three general tips: (1) Do not use bleaching agents, because they can impair the luminosity. (2) Do not use fabric softener. Avoiding fabric softener will protect sensitive membranes. (3) And if possible, do not iron: clothing must not shrink – it must fit well to do its job. EXOSKELETON Give your spine a smile: exoskeletons are robots that are worn on the body and that support the worker during repetitive lifting and turning. The ergo- nomic aid protects against injuries, boosts morale and increases efficiency. BASEBALL CAP When the helmet comes off, it’s time for the baseball cap. The best choice for concealing bad haircuts and taking a sporty approach. Of course, safety comes before casualness: vision shouldn’t be obstructed. Available in navy blue. THUMB BRACE The little brother of the big exoskeleton. The design of the brace relieves all workers who put strain on their thumbs. And not only are the joints protected – the tip is protected, too. VEST Visibility can save lives. That’s why DB Schenker employees wear high- visibility vests, in neon yellow or bright orange, made of 100% polyester. A practical feature: fabric loops on the chest area for pens or narrow tools. EXEMPLARY Waldemar Weber works at DB Schenker’s Nuremberg hub and models a classic look for us. With one exception: normally, warehouse employees wear T-shirts instead of dress shirts. And the safety shoes are a must – no one enters the warehouse without them. SCANNER GLOVE DB Schenker has now introduced the intelligent and practical ProGlove: it has a device for scanning barcodes attached to it. The look of logistics The typical outfit on the DB Schenker catwalk is one thing above all: eye-catching. Those who are highly visible are also well protected. Yellow is especially visible and belongs to the professional look like the fork to the forklift. Here, we present the classics 65–75 RADIO UNIT Still popular, but it’s getting competition from the tablet, which is proving to be even better when it comes to transmitting important data. The “digital yard management” system is soon to be applied throughout Germany. RAIN JACKET LEVEL 1 A shining example of em-ployee-friendly multifunctionality: this rain jacket is windproof and waterproof, breathable and reflective. By the way: wash only at 40 degrees Celsius! 18 19
Jürgen Rohr, Business Development Manager, Ilsfeld, Germany Within nearly 30 years of my life in the DB Schenker World I certainly remember a lot of good stories. But the funniest story took place at Carnival 1997 in Appenweier. We were a small team, and most of my colleagues were used to celebrating the so-called Dirty Thursday – “der schmutzige Donnerstag,” as we say in German. We always invited some customers and had a lot of fun together, because all the people were dressed up in a funny way. Sales Manager turns Superman In 1997, I showed up as Superman and at night – after one or two beers – the idea came up that the costume would be perfect as a regular outfit for sales managers. In the following days we took pictures of me leaving the office dressed as Superman and we even sent some of them to the DB Schenker internal magazine “KONTAKT,” presenting the costume as a way to dress for success. Nico-Sven Peine, Administrative processing Contract Logistics, Hannover (Salzgitter location), Germany As we once unloaded a truck we found three baby cats on it. We could catch two of them but the last one ran away. We went after it and finally caught it in a Volkswagen factory. The firm is our logistic customer and here we handled the in- and outbound. In the end the cats found a new home with one of the employees – which is certainly better than living in a truck. Antonia Hübsch, Ocean Trainee – Trade Lane Management, Stuttgart, Germany The DB Schenker life can always be a roller coaster, but over the last year we had to face challenges every day. It started with the pandemic and home office. Then Ever Given was stuck in the Suez Canal, which led to a huge supply chain imbalance. Congestion in the US ports caused equipment shortage in Germany. We fought for containers every single day. Falling in love with Sydney The craziest thing that happened to me personally was my stay at DB Schenker in Sydney in 2018. New language, new culture and new people. It was great. I loved every second of it. Manuela Cucchiara, Ocean Export Operator, Catania, Sicily My story at DB Schenker begins in 2013 on a very hot day in August when I started working as an ocean export operative. Catania, the city where I work, is beautiful: It is right by the seaside and the weather is almost always lovely. Working with a view From our office we enjoy a wonderful view of Etna. Sicily is always associated with sun, the ancient Greeks and food. However, I would like to add something else: marble. Together with my wonderful colleagues, Silvia and Maria, I work between marble and granite slabs, full containers of steps and risers of different sizes. Together, we manage marble shipments from all Italian ports and sometimes also cross trade. Jennifer Müller, Operations Professional – Air Freight Import NUE, Nuremberg, Germany I have been working with the Air Freight Import department since 2010. I would say my colleagues are my second family. It’s a real pleasure being part of such a team. My boss is a strong woman who always helps where help is needed. I never have the feeling of being left alone with my problems. I would say that we are very special. It’s a match The craziest thing that happened to me in the DB Schenker World was when I found my soulmate at the office Christmas party in 2017. I knew him for years, but I never mustered up the courage to speak to him at work. We talked the whole night, he brought me back home and asked for my mobile number. This year in June we are getting married. I thank DB Schenker for having found me such a strong partner who will now become my husband. Training worldwide Thanks to sponsorship funding, employees can be assigned for three months at a subsidiary worldwide. Erasmus+ Trainees in the office or warehouse can spend three months working in a foreign subsidiary. DB Schenker employs 76,100 people worldwide at over 1,850 locations in more than 130 countries. “ Those who want to remain relevant in the future focus on corporate culture now. Dr. Rebecca Koch Chief People Officer at DB Schenker in Europe Work by the seaside, rescue kittens, find true love: there’s rarely a dull moment working at DB Schenker. Five employees share their stories called CR ZY THINGS A work 76 77 78 81 80 79 82 84 83 20 21
1931 sees Schenker & Co. GmbH taken over by the then Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway) and under state control. The corporation’s ties with the Nazi regime are currently being investigated as part of a comprehensive academic study by the German Business History Society (GUG), which aims to resolve as yet unanswered research questions centering around Schenker’s active involvement in so-called aryanization and forced labor. After World War I, Schenker focuses on express delivery services, regional freight forwarding, removals and trade-fair services. 1895 1872 1931–1945 1918 How DB Schenker became one of the world’s leading global logistics provider – our success story began back in the 19th century and we’re still going from strength to strength Gottfried Schenker (pictured) founds Schenker & Co. in Vienna, Austria. A year later, the first consolidated rail consignment sets off from Paris, France, to the Austrian capital. The rest is history DB Schenker and DB Cargo set up a humanitarian corridor for the people of Ukraine. Thousands of metric tons of food, water and sanitary products are transported directly into the country by truck and freight train. First commercial carbon-neutral cargo flight in history – by DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo – leaves Frankfurt, Germany for Shanghai, China. Schenker becomes the official freight forwarder for the Munich Olympics. The Games are overshadowed by a terrorist attack on the Israeli team, in which 11 people died. Stinnes AG takes over the controlling interest in Schenker from Deutsche Bundesbahn. However, this returns to DB in 2002, and the group’s name remains DB Schenker to this day. 2020 1972 1991 2022 Austro-Americana Shipping Company founded with head office in Trieste. Aim is to establish a freight route between Austria-Hungary and North America. 85–88 89 92 91 90 22 23
Andrea Dorothea Schön is Head of Business Sustainability and Customer Consulting at DB Schenker. Under her guidance, the company is aiming for climate neutrality while securing its future viability – two goals that nowadays are by no means mutually exclusive Andrea Dorothea Schön has been working for the company as a climate protection manager for 15 years now. Over this period Schön, who holds degrees in psychology and political science, has worked her way up to, among other things, taking the lead on transport emissions, as “recording your own and third-party emissions requires more than just plain bookkeeping,” she says. “You need a solid technical grounding and a good sense of complexity reduction to stay in the loop.” Schön was instrumental in the Essen-based transport and logistics company exceeding its 2020 climate target. Now, it’s her job to ensure DB Schenker achieves climate neutrality by 2040. In the Paris Agreement, Europe set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, aiming, in the words of the German government, “to become the first continent that emits only unavoidable greenhouse gases and completely offsets these few remaining emissions.” As a state-owned company, the DB group is determined to lead the way here. “I hope to stay alive until we achieve climate neutrality,” states Schön, her job a life’s work. But getting there is a real case of squaring the circle. Climate protection doesn’t come cheap and can seriously slow down a company’s growth rates. At the same time, it’s playing an ever more central role in customers agreeing to sign on the dotted line, while employees see it as a must in choosing an employer. DB Schenker wants to be the employer of choice. These days, high numbers are voting green while many prefer to eat regionally, cycle where possible and The woman behind climate zero Using secondary raw materials helps reduce our carbon footprint. That’s why we offer a wide range of services for recycling logistics. Not forgetting social sustain- ability: our company health management system teaches staff about associated health risks and preventive measures. DB Schenker has set out to become the world’s leading provider of green logistics. The company is aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. Cleaner air and less noise in urban areas: DB Schenker is working to ensure its transport activities in European cities are emission-free by 2030. To reduce or inset emissions, the group saves up to 20% CO2 emissions in Air freight and up to 50% in Ocean freight. A bright future: electric car sales are forecast to reach 25 million by 2030, while experts predict more than 130 million electric vehicles will be on the roads worldwide. 98 97 96 93 94 95 Andrea Dorothea Schön Head of Business Sustainability and Customer Consulting at DB Schenker Light Green 99 24 25
drink fair-trade coffee. In this increasingly green world, the transport company wants to prove it has a place in a cleaner future. Schön believes that as far as customers are concerned, the company is still on its way to “the turn of the tide.” The tide is turning, but it’s not there yet. She goes on to explain that, as things stand, customers want their goods to be transported all around the globe as greenly as possible, but they’re not lining up to pay more. As a result, revenue growth continues to depend on freight volumes, but that means more emissions. So as the company moves toward climate zero, it needs greater emissions savings – and customers who are willing to invest in the future. Schön believes that in the long run, we need to start thinking in terms of a new, less aggressive growth category: green freight volume. In an ideal world, this will bring the company revenue growth even as total freight volume slows. As such, customers will have to pay more while end consumers need to be satisfied with two T-shirts for €25 euros each instead of five for €10, because less transport equals less CO₂ and less consumption. If this “less transport” is green and paid for accordingly, DB Schenker will be able to stay in good shape – and hopefully the planet will too. Schön stresses that “companies that contin-ue to act in a way that seriously harms the environment are most at risk of finding that their business models lack viability moving forward.” This scares off investors, who have long paid attention to green credentials. In the transport industry, this carries an additional physical risk: increased climate change equals increased weather extremes and increased interruption to transport routes as a result of flooded roads or fallen trees. All this means saving CO₂ is vital for DB Schenker. While the company itself actually only carries out around 10% of its transports, facilitating the other 90% externally, it still bears a responsibility for any resulting damage to the environment. This was set out in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a corporate standard for recording and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. At DB Schenker, transport is responsible for the majority of the company’s carbon footprint. Here, air freight is one of the primary culprits, accounting for nearly 60% of total CO₂ emissions despite the fact that the company only transports around 1.2 million metric tons Going live DB Schenker has over 50 e-cargo bikes in operation. The latest generation can transport deliveries of up to 200 kg. In May 2022 DB Schenker opened a sustainable freight terminal in Finland to cover the Tampere region – a major step in expanding its green distribution services in the country. Solar parks on wheels In around 5 years’ time, solar cells on truck tarpaulins could generate electrical energy, helping to power refrigeration units. 102 101 100 Green city centers FUSO eCanter trucks and e-vans are already on the road in Paris, France; Frankfurt and Stuttgart, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Oslo, Norway. Thermal insulation Solar technology, geothermal energy and e-mobility infrastructure: thanks to state-of-the-art construction technology, the new land transport branch in Hamburg enjoys an exemplary environmental footprint. 104 103 Karsten Keller CFO at DB Schenker in Europe “ Using resources efficiently is the bare minimum for sustainability. 105 26 27
H2 H2 109 Green light on green fuel Saving electricity with LEDs Two eco-buildings in Poland are equipped with sensor-controlled lights that only light up when needed. The smart spotlights only switch on when an employee is actually in the room. Clean oceans As part of an employee campaign, the company is donating all kilometers logged in quarter 2 2022 as the same amount of money to the non-profit Ocean Conservancy. Similar power HVO can be mixed with fossil diesel fuel or used as a pure substance. “Back in the 19th century, we didn’t know anything about climate change. Now I’m proud that DB Schenker is a pioneer in protecting the environment.” (Gottfried Schenker) 106 107 112 113 Ingo Brauckmann Executive Vice President Contract Logistics / SCM at DB Schenker in Europe “ We are shaping and driving change. In turn, this improves the industry as a whole. of freight this way per year. Conversely, around 20 million metric tons are transported by sea. The difference: 20,000 containers can be loaded onto an ultra-large cargo ship, corresponding to around 200,000 metric tons. A cargo aircraft, on the other hand, can fit little more than 100 metric tons, drastically increasing the carbon footprint of each unit transported. DB Schenker currently relies on biofuels for both options. In aviation, the success of a pilot flight in late 2020 saw regular charter flights launched between Frankfurt, Germany, and Shanghai, China, as part of Lufthansa Cargo’s flight schedules from 2021 onward, which are 100% inset with green fuel. For currently 38 connections worldwide, the equivalent biofuel to the transported goods is purchased. The same is applied for around 150 port connections in ocean freight with shipping company CMA CGM. From biofuel and green hydrogen, this green journey will lead to electricity-based fuels gen- erated solely from solar and wind energy (eFuels or power-to-X fuels). E-cargo bikes and e-trucks will play a key role in land transport, while hydrogen vehicles will be hugely important on long-distance routes in the future. “All in all, it’s a tough process,” says Schön. After all, the company relies on others, for instance in vehicle and biofuel production. “We want to capitalize on our chance to change the world,” adds Schön. “But we can’t do it alone.” A green diesel alternative: how the biofuel HVO is produced 108 110 Water (H2O) is decomposed into hydrogen(H2) and oxygen (O) CO2 is removed from the atmosphere during production During combustion in the diesel engine, CO2 is released back into the atmosphere Renewable energies Biological plants and waste residues Electricity generation Electrolysis Hydrogen is used to remove the oxygen (hydrotreating) Purification Hydrogen is reintroduced, producing HVO fuel (hydrocracking) HVO Atmosphere Production Modern solution Alternative fuels are needed to become emission-free. A great example is Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, or HVO for short, which is produced from biological plant and waste residues, among other things. 111 Water Electricity 28 29
European All-Stars When we asked our employees what kind of sports they do, we were surprised to hear so many of them were top athletes. With stories of records, national titles and even world championships. So we put together the DB Schenker European All Stars Team – let them inspire you! 115 – 120 114 ALBERTO FRACELLA Position at DB Schenker: Export Land Part/Full Load Department Location/Country: San Giovanni Teatino, Italy Age: 28 Sport: Futsal, climbing, boxing Greatest achievement: 4th place in National U18 Futsal Championships CHRISTEL VAN BAAST Position at DB Schenker: Supervisor Customer Service Location/Country: Tilburg, Netherlands Age: 34 Sport: Artistic swimming Greatest achievement: The feeling that the competition went as expected, I did what I had to do and I can look back satisfied JOHN FAIRHURST Position at DB Schenker: Head of Implementation – Region Europe CL/SCM Location/Country: United Kingdom Age: 46 Sport: Endurance cyclist/swimmer Greatest achievement: I played Rugby League until my late 20s. Learning to love other sports after retiring from this has been a real breakout for me: in 2021 I cycled the length of Wales in one day – 295km! ANTOINE GUERIN Position at DB Schenker: Transport Operator Location/Country: Angers, France Age: 28 Sport: Triathlon Greatest achievement: My 130 km solo ride in 2021. A full day on the bike with the sun RICO BECHMANN Position at DB Schenker: Regional Security Consultant, Operational Excellence Location/Country: Langenhain, Germany Age: 38 Sport: Running, triathlon Greatest achievement: Finished a marathon in 2:53 h PASCAL WILLEMSEN Position at DB Schenker: Team Leader Location/Country: Tilburg, Netherlands Age: 41 Sport: Running Greatest achievement: Personal best from the 2021 marathon in Rotterdam: 30 minutes faster STEFANO COTUGNO Position at DB Schenker: Head of Trade Export + ISC Cluster South East Europe Location/Country: Vienna, Austria Age: 51 Sport: Tennis Greatest achievement: First win of the Austrian Championships in Tennis and Doubles Seniors 45+ in 2016 STARS ALL “Being part of a team is a basic skill for every kind of work.” 30 31
LOES VROUENRAETS Position at DB Schenker: Sales Executive Location/Country: Herleen, Netherlands Age: 40 Sport: Fitness, bodybuilding, table tennis Greatest achievement: Dutch Champion senior table tennis PAUL VANDEWEYER Position at DB Schenker: Facilities & Service Manager Benelux Location/Country: Antwerp, Belgium Age: 51 Sport: Triathlon Greatest achievement: Ironman France in 2018 CHELSEY WILSON Position at DB Schenker: Customs Team Leader Location/Country: Coventry, United Kingdom Age: 31 Sport: Weightlifting, CrossFit, HIIT, Hyrox Greatest achievement: Winning HYROX Birmingham 2021; Hyrox World Championships in Las Vegas 2022, placing 8th overall and 1st in the UK MARIUSZ STRZELCZYK Position at DB Schenker: Returnable Packaging Management Specialist Location/Country: Warsaw/Młochów, Poland Age: 42 Sport: Running, cycling, winter swimming Greatest achievement: Ultramarathon in the Bieszczady Mountains (41 km) CHARLES DUCHÊNE Position at DB Schenker: Head of Automotive Europe Location/Country: Gennevilliers, France Age: 37 Sport: Triathlon Greatest achievement: Still having my family around and making my wife and daughters proud JÉRÉMY NEYRAUD Position at DB Schenker: Responsable Excellence Opérationnelle et Coordinateur QHSE Location/Country: Compiègne, France Age: 31 Sport: Cycling Greatest achievement: I won the Tour of Yonne in 2019 together with my friend 121 – 127 MAURA CADEI Position at DB Schenker: Ocean Freight Import & Crosstrade Location/Country: Milan, Italy Age: 47 Sport: Cycling Greatest achievement: I am happy when I pass my passion to others and lead people to mind and body awareness 33 128 LARA GÖLLER Position at DB Schenker: Personal Assistant Location/Country: Frankfurt, Germany Age: 33 Sport: Boxing Greatest achievement: Half marathons in Paris and Rio de Janeiro “Boxing made me a stronger, more sophisticated and resilient person. And of course, people might be afraid of me.” 32
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