With the start of the gardening season, e-commerce is experiencing a significant upturn. The demand for leisure articles and gardening tools is skyrocketing. One of the winners is FUXTEC GmbH in Herrenberg / Baden-Württemberg. The German company sells its products mainly via its own web shop and other online platforms. FUXTEC relies on its logistics partner Gebrüder Weiss to ensure that its spring products arrive on time.

At FUXTEC's 12,000-square-meter logistics center in Simmozheim (northern Black Forest), around 20 employees ensure that orders are processed smoothly and quickly. Every day, Gebrüder Weiss picks up the packaged items ready for shipment and brings them to the logistics center in Esslingen near Stuttgart. After thorough routine checks, they are prepared for onward transport to the customer.

"We have been supporting FUXTEC in Germany for one and a half years. We now handle almost 10,000 shipments per year, with peaks of up to 100 parcels per day during the spring season," explains Jochen Gonser, deputy branch manager at Gebrüder Weiss in Esslingen near Stuttgart. Gebrüder Weiss uses a dense network of its own warehouses and partner locations to deliver FUXTEC articles within 24 hours of order placement in Germany, and within 48 hours in other European countries – right to the doorstep.

"In e-commerce, reliable delivery is the most important factor," explains Steffen Cless, Head of Logistics at FUXTEC. FUXTEC can check the delivery status at any time on the Gebrüder Weiss myGW web portal. The delivery service has been well received by customers, with 98 percent of customer ratings on fuxtec.de showing top marks of five stars.

The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss closed the 2024 fiscal year with net revenues of 2.71 billion euros, representing a ten-percent gain over the previous year (2023: 2.46 billion euros). “We’re firmly on track: Despite geopolitical and economic tensions, we gained market share and grew, countering the overriding trend. By investing in our network, automation and digital innovation, we succeeded in expanding our range of services and developing the transport solutions our customers need – with the explicit aim of guaranteeing supply chain stability,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss.

In the Air & Sea sector, the group reported the highest increase in revenue with 939 million euros, a gain of 21 percent (2023: 776 million euros). This growth was powered by various factors, including the expansion of the networks in the United States and Germany, alongside high transport volumes in transpacific trade. Rising sea freight rates for exports from China to Europe provided an additional boost. Attacks in the Red Sea forced container ships to take the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) instead of through the Suez Canal.

Revenues in the Land Transport and Logistics segment rose by five percent to 1.52 billion euros (2023: 1.45 billion euros). This figure includes sales generated by the Home Delivery service. Cargoes such as refrigerators and furniture are transported to end customers in Austria and several eastern European countries implementing a two-man handling service.
DPD Austria, which is partly owned by the Gebrüder Weiss parcel service, processed more than 62.3 million parcels last year. This translates into an increase of one million parcels compared to 2023. The main growth drivers were exports and private consumers.

The company's equity ratio remained steady at 60 percent, positioning Gebrüder Weiss as a crisis-resistant service provider and dependable employer. The workforce across the group’s 180 locations worldwide rose slightly to 8,700 (2023: 8,600).

Despite the economically challenging environment, the logistics provider adhered to its investment strategy. During the fiscal year ended, a total of 124 million euros were devoted to expansion and modernization measures, environmentally friendly power generation and e-mobility.

Investments in logistics locations, automation and digitalization

Gebrüder Weiss commenced construction of a modern logistics and IT center featuring a fully automated high-bay warehouse – in the immediate vicinity of its corporate headquarters and the Wolfurt freight terminal (Vorarlberg/Austria). A new logistics facility was opened in the southern German town of Straubing, providing Bavaria’s industrial and commercial players with efficient transport links to national and global markets. Gebrüder Weiss also expanded its locations in Maria Saal (Austria), Aldingen (Germany), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Tbilisi (Georgia). In Budapest (Hungary), an Autostore warehouse was built as part of the site expansion program; here inbound cargo handling, material flows and order picking are largely automated. The U.S. business is growing, with the logistics specialist acquiring the air-and-sea freight forwarder Cargo Link from Salt Lake City, Utah. Together with the recently opened branch in Phoenix, Arizona, the network in North America now encompasses 17 company-owned locations.

Gebrüder Weiss has also charted further progress with its digital service palette: the number of customer-based users registering for the myGW portal has risen to 25,000 since its launch in 2020. The platform provides real-time information on all goods flows and gives customers full transparency on the progress of their orders. In 2024, the application’s functions were progressively fine-tuned to better meet costumer’s needs.  

Expanding renewable energy and e-mobility

The company took important steps towards decarbonization and climate-friendly power generation. Additional photovoltaic (PV) systems were installed in Hungary and Slovakia. Gebrüder Weiss now operates 34 PV systems, which generated some 13,000 megawatt hours of electricity during the fiscal year ended. This equals roughly half of the power requirements of all Gebrüder Weiss locations worldwide. The increased use of solar energy has led to overall savings of 2,738 metric tons of CO₂.

To further reduce CO₂ emissions on a sustainable basis, Gebrüder Weiss is also reorganizing its own fleet and progressively deploying vehicles with electric drives. In Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Romania, the logistics company is already utilizing e-transporters to deliver goods ordered online to private households. In Germany, two electric trucks were introduced in 2024, and a further 13 will follow in Austria this year. As an initial step, the logistics provider has already converted a large part of its truck fleet in Austria to hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), which can potentially reduce CO₂ emissions by some 90 percent (compared to diesel fuel).

Wolfram Senger-Weiss explains: “Along with the issues of sustainability, infrastructure and digitalization, the logistics industry faces numerous other hurdles this year. The persistently weak economy in Europe, new tariffs, and the crisis in the automotive industry are intensifying the competition for many companies. Gebrüder Weiss will continue to meet these challenges with a solution- and technology-oriented approach while aligning its general business strategy to the needs of its customers.”

The digital customer portal myGW has proved to be very popular with Gebrüder Weiss customers: within five years, the number of users among customers has risen to 25,000. Functions have been continuously developed and adapted to the needs of shipping companies with the platform providing real-time information on all goods flows.

“The decision to introduce our customer portal as part of our digital strategy was absolutely the right one. With myGW, we offer our customers easy access to their shipment data and cargo inventory at any time. Our clients appreciate this, and the usage figures speak for themselves,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss.

Digital shipment transparency in real time, delivery statistics overviews and, above all, myGW’s user-friendliness are benefits that customers value. This is also shown by the high demand for shipment tracking shared by customers with their recipients – a total of 5.6 million views in 2024. This represents an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous year. Simplified online communication and direct access to all documents for fast order processing are also popular.

Gebrüder Weiss is continuously developing the platform to provide its customers with even more transparent monitoring and analysis of their transports. Further information about the digital customer portal myGW is available here: https://www.gw-world.com/solutions/digital-solutions/mygw

The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss posted turnover of 3.01 billion euros for fiscal 2022. This translates into a year-on-year gain of 18 percent (2021: 2.54 billion euros), and builds on the positive trend of recent years. “We have succeeded in adhering to and advancing our strategic goals in a challenging environment. We have expanded our position in the core markets of Central and Eastern Europe, the United States and Asia, while moving forward with our focuses on digitalization and climate neutrality by 2030. The rewarding results across our divisions are proof positive that we are a solid organization that is fit for the future,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO at Gebrüder Weiss. The equity ratio also rose and has been restored to its previous level of 60 percent (2021: 57 percent); this increase underlines the company’s resilience and demonstrates that Gebrüder Weiss offers its workforce secure jobs.

The Land Transport division posted 1,479 million euros in sales, a gain of 16 percent (2021: 1,277 million euros). The Home Delivery service performed at last year’s level, delivering some 1.53 million shipments to private households in Austria and Eastern Europe (2021: 1.58 million consignments). As a result, Gebrüder Weiss maintained its market leadership in this segment. Major progress was also reported by Air & Sea, which closed fiscal 2022 with sales at 1,272 million euros, a plus of 24 percent (2021: 1,024 million euros). This surge was driven mainly by the high freight charges of the shipping companies and airlines. DPD Austria, which is partly owned by the Gebrüder Weiss parcel service, was able to sustain its volumes: in 2022 it shipped 66 million parcels (2021: 66.5 million).

International network expanded
Despite economic challenges in 2022 deriving from the war in Ukraine, energy issues and rising inflation, Gebrüder Weiss adhered to its investment strategy. A total of 67 million euros were devoted to consolidating the company’s own network and augmenting its international locations and services. The main focuses were Germany, Hungary, Romania and the United States, along with Turkey and Georgia. The latter two countries are chief links on the Middle Corridor, along which the logistics specialist extended its services to Central Asia and China.

In the key German logistics market, Gebrüder Weiss was able to cement its position in both Air & Sea and Land Transport. In southern Germany, the renaming of the Bavarian freight forwarding company Lode as Gebrüder Weiss Waldkraiburg was concluded. The continued expansion of the land transport network is planned for the south of Germany, with the takeover of the Rentschler shipping company (Baden-Württemberg) in early 2023 marking a first step. Having an enlarged network naturally prompted growth in the workforce: employee numbers rose by six percent to some 8,400 (2021: 7,900)

Continued focus on digitalization and sustainability
The year 2022 also saw the company sustaining its digitalization strategy “Best of Both Worlds,” which Gebrüder Weiss views as a winning combination of operational and digital competence. This included the next stage in the rollout of the digital service portal myGW, which delivers real-time information as to the exact whereabouts of customers’ goods – thus ensuring optimum transparency along the entire supply chain. “Our goal is to give our customers the best solutions for their supply chains, while confining our environmental impact to a minimum. Toward that end, we are constantly investing in our logistics terminals and digital tools, while simultaneously training our staff and identifying environmentally friendly transport options,” Wolfram Senger-Weiss explains.

To underscore the company’s commitment to sustainable goals and its pledge to contribute to climate protection globally, Gebrüder Weiss published a Sustainability Report in 2022. In line with its targets, the logistics specialist intends to achieve carbon neutrality at all of its terminals by 2030. One key element in this transition is an increase in power from regenerative sources; last year Gebrüder Weiss installed four new photovoltaic systems at sites in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. All told, 22 such systems are now already in operation, reducing CO₂ emissions by 1,110 metric tons annually. In 2023, the rollout will continue in these countries and in Eastern Europe.

Nor has time stood still when it comes to alternative drive options. After successful long-distance trials with the company’s own hydrogen-powered trucks, Gebrüder Weiss is planning further investments in this technology. In 2023, five new H_2—powered trucks are due to hit the roads in Germany. Moving forward, the number of electrically powered vans used in urban goods deliveries is due to further increase in Austria and Eastern Europe.

For 2023, Gebrüder Weiss is anticipating a renormalization of the logistics industry. Shipment numbers are currently declining somewhat, and the cost of transport by air and sea has dropped to 2019 levels. As a result, lower sales are expected. Global geopolitical factors may bring additional challenges. Wolfram Senger-Weiss: “The pandemic has proven that the logistics industry can perform under pressure and react swiftly to changing conditions. In the past year, Gebrüder Weiss has been able to further solidify its financial base and drive innovations – while remaining close to our customers and answering their needs with relevant digital services. In light of the current economic forecast, the high inflation rate and the war in Ukraine, we are – needless to say – circumspect and concerned. However, ultimately we remain a strong organization and that gives us confidence.”

Gebrüder Weiss will use its presence at this year’s Logistics Summit at the Congress Center Hamburg to provide information about its digital and analog worlds of logistics. The conference for digitalization and innovation in logistics will take place on October 5 and 6. Wolfram Senger-Weiss and Lothar Thoma, both members of the Management Board, will be in attendance along with company representatives from the Air & Sea and Land Transport divisions.

Expert talks: Disruption of global supply chains and digitalization
Wolfram Senger-Weiss will talk about current challenges facing global supply chains together with a panel of experts at 11:00 a.m. on October 6. Digitalization in the supply chain will be the focus of the presentation by Wolfgang Brunner, Head of Project & Portal Management, Corporate Logistics at Gebrüder Weiss, on October 5 at 1:30 p.m. The logistics expert will provide insights into how the customer portal has been implemented.

Visitors to the Gebrüder Weiss stand can also enjoy a virtual ride in one of the world’s first zero-emission hydrogen trucks, and be taken on an interactive tour of the logistics company’s head office in Lauterach on Lake Constance.

Hamburg has been an important location within Gebrüder Weiss’s global logistics network for 90 years. Over 130 container trains travel between the Alpine state and the port every week, with more than 70 employees organizing international air and sea freight shipments on the Elbe river.

Time and place: Logistics Summit, Congress Center Hamburg, Booth J1, October 5 and 6, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. For details of the event click .

The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss posted preliminary net sales of 2.54 billion euros for the 2021 financial year. This translates into a year-over-year rise of 43 percent (2020: 1.77 billion euros). More than 70 percent of this increase was generated by the Air & Sea business. The global shortage of cargo capacity resulted in shipping companies and airlines repeatedly raising their rates. The fact that these costs were passed on became a key contributor to the upsurge at Gebrüder Weiss, although this also created special challenges.

“2021 was another exceptional year and characterized by great volatility. The imbalance between low cargo capacities and high demand had a huge impact. It required considerable effort and dedication for us to deliver suitable transport solutions to our customers despite the bottlenecks. I am proud of everything our employees have achieved under these difficult conditions,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO at Gebrüder Weiss.

To meet its customers’ needs in 2021, the company organized additional air freight charters by implementing “preighters,” i.e., converted passenger aircraft. The acquisition of the Ipsen Logistics operations in Germany, Poland, and Malaysia at the end of 2020 marked an important step forward for the global network. In total, the Air & Sea and Logistics division reported annual sales of 1,030 million euros (2020: 470 million euros).

The Land Transport and Logistics division succeeded in closing the year with sales up 16 percent to 1,277 million euros (2020: 1,104 million euros). To boost efficiency, Gebrüder Weiss deployed innovative technologies and strategies to handle transport planning, dispatch, and freight measurement; an intermodal link from Vienna to Germany’s Ruhr region was established. All of the Land Transport product groups set new records for consignments.

Via its Home Delivery service, Gebrüder Weiss transported some 1.74 million shipments to end consumers in Austria and multiple eastern European countries, further extending its market lead in this segment (2020: 1.37 million consignments). DPD Austria, partly owned by Gebrüder Weiss parcel service, delivered more than 66.5 million parcels in 2021. This corresponds to a 16 percent year-over-year increase; it was powered mainly by strong private-consumer business.

Robust market position in central and eastern Europe
In Bavaria, Gebrüder Weiss consolidated its southern German land transport network with a number of acquisitions. These were flanked by takeovers in Bulgaria and Turkey, while new locations were established in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and South Korea. All told, the logistics company invested 112 million euros in new construction and the expansion of existing sites (2020: 75.6 million euros) – the highest investment volume in the company’s history. The augmented network also required a larger workforce: the headcount rose by 8 percent and now totals nearly 8,000 employees.

14,500 users tap into the new myGW portal
With the goal of optimizing logistics processes for its customers, Gebrüder Weiss is turning increasingly to digital tools: “Expectations regarding speed, efficiency and transparency have risen enormously throughout the supply chain. The international rollout and further development of our myGW portal represent a major milestone,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss. The digital platform offers customers real-time information on the flow of their goods and is already being utilized by more than 14,500 users across 19 countries. At the same time, several supply chain management projects were realized for high-profile customers. The logistics organization plans to continue growing in this area and enlarging its palette of digital services. “The Covid crisis has, however, also exposed the importance of controlling physical infrastructure. Our ‘Best of Both Worlds’ strategy – modern digital tools on the one hand and logistics facilities, cargo capacity, and well-trained employees on the other – has once again proven the right way forward,” says Senger-Weiss.

Carbon neutrality by 2030
The logistics specialist intends to achieve CO2 neutrality at its locations by 2030. In moving toward that goal, last year alone, eight photovoltaic systems were installed at logistics terminals in Austria and Germany. Further locations are due to be added this year. The company is also implementing new technologies: one of the world’s first hydrogen-powered trucks has already demonstrated its value in logistics operations, while other alternative drive technologies using liquid gas and electricity are in service for heavy goods and Home Delivery shipments. Gebrüder Weiss introduced a zero-emissions program offering its customers the option of paying a surcharge to offset the carbon emissions of each logistics service they use. These funds go towards supporting certified climate protection projects.

The international transport and logistics services provider Gebrüder Weiss was awarded this year’s HERMES.Verkehrs.Logistik.Preis in Vienna on October 21 by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. Conferring the distinction in the category "Supply Chain," the Chamber singled out the achievements of the customer portal myGW. Awarded annually to Austria-based transport and logistics companies by the country’s Department of Transport and Traffic, the prize honors exceptional services and innovations.

The web-based myGW platform gives Gebrüder Weiss customers access to all relevant information on their transport and logistics orders around the clock and enables them to keep up-to-date on their status real-time. An electronic booking system, digitalized document management and the option of communicating through myGW all make this platform a central access point for shippers and their customers.

"The Hermes award pays tribute to how intensively we have driven our digital services over the past few years. We are continuously adapting the myGW functions to the needs of our customers with the objective of increasing the transparency and efficiency," commented Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO at Gebrüder Weiss. 
The customer portal went live in the fall of 2020 and has already attracted more than 12,000 users. In a satisfaction survey, the online platform rated 4.5 out of a possible 5 points.

One year after the launch of its digital customer portal myGW, the logistics company Gebrüder Weiss sees it has been a resounding success. The online tool already has over 12,000 users in 18 countries, with the benefits brought by it confirmed in an internal satisfaction survey (rating: 4.5 out of a possible five stars). The simple, fast, and transparent form of communication was highlighted here in particular: a single account can be used around the clock to handle all matters relating to transport and logistics orders.

Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss, sees the positive feedback from customers as confirmation that the right step was taken at the right time: “The coronavirus pandemic has changed so much in our usual working environment. myGW is our way of providing transparency and enhanced access to our customers. By allowing our customers to stay in the loop on our operations they can use this information to make informed decisions.  By having flexible online access to all Gebrüder Weiss services, regardless of whether customers are working from home or in the office; they always have access to real-time information on when goods will be delivered (ETA). Our focus in the future will be on further developing the portal to support specific market and target group needs so we can continue adding value for our customers.”

The goal: Top performance from start to finish
The logistics company gave the go-ahead for myGW in September 2020, starting in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. Other countries quickly followed, and the group-wide rollout is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Gebrüder Weiss describes the launch of its customer portal as an important step within its digitalization strategy; this aims to combine operational and digital best practices to maintain quality leadership in the logistics industry.

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