"Placing 11th shows how well the team handled the challenges of this year's race – a great achievement," said Tracy van Arend, branch manager for Gebrüder Weiss Adelaide. She welcomed the ETH team at the finish line together with Sharon Young, customer service and process manager at Gebrüder Weiss Australia. "It was exciting to follow the race and cheer for the team. While we, as the logistics partner, don't directly influence the competition itself, we make sure that the vehicle arrives in Australia on time, giving the students sufficient opportunity to train and prepare. We were able to deliver that again this year," adds Sharon Young.

Following the race, Gebrüder Weiss is handling the return transport of the solar car and its equipment back to Europe. The customized logistics solution includes sea freight, comprehensive customs clearance, and final delivery of the solar vehicle by truck to Technopark Zurich.

Challenging Conditions in the Australian Winter
For the first time, the race was held during the Australian winter. The students had to adapt to cooler temperatures and different light conditions. This required an adjusted race strategy, particularly with respect to energy management and daily planning. On day three of the race, the team also faced a technical issue: the cruise control failed, and a gust of wind tore off part of the left wheel cover. Both problems were quickly repaired, and the vehicle was back on the road shortly afterward.

"This year's circumstances pushed us but also showed how resilient our team and vehicle are," says Clara Nörenberg, team manager at aCentauri. "We modified our strategy and proved that solar mobility can perform reliably even under difficult circumstances."

Looking ahead, the aCentauri Solar Racing Team is already preparing for the next World Solar Challenge in two years. Their goal: to return with an optimized vehicle and secure a spot among the top ten.

Further background on this and other Gebrüder Weiss projects related to the "Future of Mobility" can be found at: https://www.gw-world.com/company/sustainability/future-of-mobility, or via the logistics company's social media channels.

On August 1^st, Gebrüder Weiss established a new country organization in the Philippines, expanding its presence in Asia. This strategic move by the international transport and logistics company responds to the growing economic importance of the island nation and further expands its regional network. The logistics provider also recently announced the opening of another new country operation in Thailand.

“The Philippines offers great economic potential. With this new country organization, we are creating additional transport connections for our customers to this high-growth market, while strengthening our network in Asia,” says Michael Zankel, Gebrüder Weiss's Regional Manager for East Asia and Oceania.

The Philippines is the tenth-largest economy in Asia in terms of gross domestic product. The Philippines maintains close foreign trade relations with the USA, China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, among others – all countries in which Gebrüder Weiss has an organizational presence. In 2024, the country achieved an export volume of around $73 billion, while imports totaled just under $135 billion. Electronic products, consumer goods, food, and raw materials from the Philippines are in particularly high demand.

The first Gebrüder Weiss site in the Philippines is located in the capital city of Manila. From there, a team of 14 will handle international air and sea freight transport, manage customs processes, and coordinate national land transport.

“In the coming years, we aim to expand our services, particularly offering logistics solutions for key industries such as high-tech, automotive, and consumer goods,” Regional Manager Michael Zankel went on to say.

The Manila metropolitan area is the industrial and economic center of the Philippines, boasting direct connections to international seaports and Ninoy Aquino Airport. The city’s central location between free trade zones such as Clark, Subic, and Cavite makes the Philippine capital an ideal starting point for logistics activities.

Growing network in Asia and Oceania
With its entry into the Philippine market, Gebrüder Weiss is now active in ten countries in East and Southeast Asia and Oceania. These include Australia, Greater China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The regional network now comprises 36 locations, with approximately 800 employees, including those in the Philippines.

The logistics specialists at Gebrüder Weiss’s Hamburg, Germany branch are managing the complex transportation needs for this custom-built SUP board. The board will first travel overland from Kiel to Lagos in Portugal, where Walther’s Atlantic crossing will begin. From there, he will paddle past the Canary and Cape Verde Islands before reaching his final destination in French Guiana. Once he lands in the port of Cayenne, Gebrüder Weiss will ship the board back to Kiel via sea freight using a certified climate-neutral process, made possible through verified insetting within the logistics chain. 

“Michael Walther is drawing attention to marine conservation through an unconventional form of mobility and we are proud to support this mission as his logistics partner,” says Robert Stahlschmidt, Country Manager Air & Sea Germany at Gebrüder Weiss.

Collecting Scientific Data for the Alfred Wegener Institute

Walther expects the crossing to take approximately three months. He deliberately chose not to use a support vessel or receive any external assistance. During the journey, he’ll deploy a hydrophone to record the sounds of marine life. These audio recordings will be shared with the Alfred Wegener Institute, one of Germany’s leading marine research institutions, to support ongoing climate impact studies on ocean ecosystems.

This isn’t Walther’s first bold move for climate action. Since 2008, he has undertaken high-profile expeditions to raise awareness of climate and environmental issues. Past projects include paddling across Germany by river and traveling through Iceland to document glacial melt.

GWcycles: A Shared Commitment to Clean Oceans

Gebrüder Weiss is also actively engaged in another initiative to protect the world’s oceans. Through the global cycling campaign GWcycles – Cycling for the Seas, the company is inviting participants around the world to log their bike mileage in support of ocean health. For every 100,000 kilometers (62,137 miles) cycled, Gebrüder Weiss funds the removal of one metric ton (2,240 pounds) of ocean plastic. Since the campaign’s launch in April 2025, six tons (13,228 pounds) of marine debris have already been collected. Walther is a dedicated supporter of the initiative, helping amplify public awareness around the shared mission to protect our seas.

More information about Gebrüder Weiss’s sustainability efforts can be found at https://www.gw-world.com/company/sustainability/future-of-mobility and on the company’s social media channels. Since 2021, Gebrüder Weiss has been actively supporting innovation projects in sustainable transportation, collaborating with universities, research institutions, and startups. 

Through the first five months of 2025, trade in goods between the United States and Mexico totaled $359.6 billion, with Mexico holding its position as the United States’ top trading partner. In May alone, bilateral trade reached $74.5 billion. Despite this momentum, newly announced tariffs from the Trump administration have reintroduced uncertainty. A 90-day pause issued in April does not apply to imports from Mexico that fall outside the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). As a result, manufacturers in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and high-tech are reassessing their supply chains. Gebrüder Weiss is supporting customers with strategies to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and maintain cross-border efficiency.

"Knowledge is power, and Gebrüder Weiss has that knowledge," says Acuña. "Our El Paso employees are cross-border logistics experts and well-equipped to support customers navigating this shifting landscape through warehousing strategies, customs expertise, and alternative routes that help them move forward."

In addition to being a key hub for international trade, the El Paso region is the fifth-largest manufacturing center in the Western Hemisphere. To support this trade volume, the Gebrüder Weiss facility includes additional secure storage and advanced technology for efficient customs processing.

"We are confident that cross-border trade between the U.S. and Mexico will continue to grow over time, even if the growth is marked by near-term adaptations," says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. "Our relocated El Paso facility and warehouse strengthen our position at the Southern Border for our customers’ benefit. We’ve successfully navigated supply chain challenges year after year, guiding our customers to best-fit outcomes.” 

For more information about Gebrüder Weiss USA, its services, locations, or employment opportunities, please visit gw-world.com/us. 

Born in Vorarlberg / Austria, Peter Kloiber launched his career at Gebrüder Weiss in 1990 when he took up a post in corporate and human resources development. He recognized the key role of internal training and development programs for long-term success, and initiated their establishment. The company‘s transformation into a modern, networked logistics group is also due in a large part to his dedication. "Peter Kloiber is a pioneer of our value-oriented corporate culture, which continues to shape our self-image and strategic direction to this day. We owe him a great deal," said Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss, paying tribute to Kloiber's total of 35 years of service to the company.

Peter Schafleitner (56), an experienced logistics expert, is moving up to the company's top management tier. Born in Salzburg, he joined the organization in 1989, holding various positions in sales and land transport and managing two locations in Austria. From 2017 onwards, he was Director and Regional Manager for the Central Region, which includes Salzburg, Carinthia, Upper Austria, and the Czech Republic. Since 2024, he has been Head of Product Management for Land Transport. Schafleitner's appointment to the Management Board reflects the group’s primary focus on continuity and the benefits of long-term experience and internal networking.

As part of this personnel change, Gebrüder Weiss is also reorganizing the board's portfolios. From July 1, 2025, the responsibilities will be distributed as follows:

• Wolfram Senger-Weiss (CEO) will oversee digitalization, finance, corporate governance, real estate, and the Black Sea/CIS region.
• Jürgen Bauer will take charge of Land Transport Europe, Customs, Purchasing, Logistics, and the subsidiary Xvise (logistics consulting).
• Lothar Thoma will head the Air and Sea Freight and Overseas divisions as well as Human Resources and Organizational Development.
• Peter Schafleitner will take over Product Management Land Transport, Sales, Marketing and Communications, while also being responsible for the parcel service (GWP) and the dicall call center.

Further information on the Gebrüder Weiss management team can be found here: https://www.gw-world.com/company/about-us/business

“We are delighted to be accompanying the aCentauri team from ETH Zurich again this year. Such collaborations are in line with our understanding of partnership: long-term, trusting, and focused on a sustainable future for mobility,” explains Frank Haas, Head of Communications at Gebrüder Weiss. “The students already demonstrated in 2023 that solar mobility works, and we wish them every success in reaching the top ten.”

The technical equipment was shipped to Australia by sea freight back in May. Now, following a live presentation at the Gebrüder Weiss location in Wolfurt, the solar vehicle is beginning its journey by air freight. After completing a final test drive in front of the media, the solar car was prepared for air transport at the International Air Transport Association (IATA)-certified terminal.

Certification from the IATA designates the Air & Sea Terminal in Wolfurt as an officially recognized air freight terminal, authorized to prepare shipments in accordance with IATA standards, including special packaging, security checks, and all required inspection processes. From there, the vehicle will fly to Australia via Frankfurt Airport without any additional stops.

Upon arrival in Australia, the logistics experts at the new Gebrüder Weiss location in Adelaide, which opened in December 2024, will take charge of the next stage of the process. The team will coordinate the import procedures and oversee transport to the University of Adelaide.

The World Solar Challenge starts on August 24, 2025, and covers 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) across the Australian outback. Launched in 1987, the race promotes innovation in the areas of sustainable mobility and renewable energies.

With a legacy spanning more than 500 years, Gebrüder Weiss is committed to actively shaping the future of mobility. Since 2021, the company has participated in and supported relevant projects, working closely with universities, research teams, and start-ups. Beyond providing logistics expertise, Gebrüder Weiss fosters collaboration among project partners and elevates forward-thinking ideas. The goal is to implement new technologies at an early stage. 

Further background information on the projects can be found at: https://www.gw-world.com/company/sustainability/future-of-mobility, or via the logistics company's social media channels.

“We launched our scholarship program at Rutgers to open doors to supply chain careers, and we couldn’t be more impressed with the passion, talent, and ambition of each recipient,” says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with Rutgers and investing in the supply chain leaders of the future.” 

The 2025 Gebrüder Weiss Supply Chain Leadership Scholarship recipients are Gabriel Godoi De Lima, Jun Pak, and Nikhil Walia. Gabriel is a junior double majoring in Supply Chain Management and Marketing. Jun is a junior in the Honors College, majoring in Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Business Analytics. Nikhil, who recently graduated, earned a double major in Supply Chain Management and Marketing. Gebrüder Weiss has committed $5,000 per year over the next five years to support supply chain management students at Rutgers.

"Receiving the Gebrüder Weiss Supply Chain Leadership scholarship is a tremendous honor and a meaningful recognition of my journey and passion for supply chain management. This support inspires me to keep learning and growing both personally and professionally. I am truly grateful to Gebrüder Weiss for believing in me and investing in the future of supply chain leaders," says Nikhil Walia.

Rutgers Business School’s Supply Chain Management Undergraduate program is one of the top five programs in North America, and number one among Big Ten schools, according to Gartner Rankings in 2024. The undergraduate Supply Chain Management major provides a mix of comprehensive knowledge and technical skills relevant to supply chain roles. The school has a strong focus on career placement, and 82% of Rutgers Supply Chain Management students accept job offers before they graduate. 

“Our Supply Chain Management program is full of talented students set to become the next generation of supply chain leaders. Support from partners like Gebrüder Weiss helps empower them to reach their goals,” says Lei Lei, Dean of Rutgers Business School. 

Full-time undergraduate students enrolled at Rutgers Business School may apply for this scholarship by submitting the university-approved financial aid form. The application period for the Gebrüder Weiss scholarship opens each year in November, and Rutgers announces the awards in early January. Each year through 2030, students studying supply chain management will be selected by Rutgers as recipients.

“The new country organization allows us to close a strategic gap and create direct connections to central Asia-Pacific markets for our customers,” says Lothar Thoma, Managing Director Air & Sea at Gebrüder Weiss. “Thailand is an important export location with strong trade links to the USA, China, Japan, Australia, and Singapore – markets where we are also represented with locations of our own.” 

In 2024, Thailand posted export volumes worth approximately $ 300 billion, up 5 percent from the previous year. Industrial goods account for the majority of outbound trade at 86 percent, with key categories including electronics, vehicles, machinery, and food.

The team of 20 employees in Bangkok provides international air and sea freight transportation, customs handling, and national and cross-border land transport services. “Our employees have many years of experience in international transport management. In the medium term, we are aiming to expand our services in Thailand to include warehouse logistics, with a particular focus on the automotive and high-tech sectors,” says Cristian Predan, Director South-East Asia at Gebrüder Weiss.

With its entry into the Thai market, Gebrüder Weiss now has an active presence in nine countries across the East and South-East Asia region and Oceania. These include Australia, Greater China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. The regional network now spans 35 locations with around 800 employees

New in 2025: cycle longer, celebrate success faster

This year’s campaign is running a month longer than usual, wrapping up on October 31. Additionally, the individual competition now features shorter distances — meaning participants can reach prize milestones even faster. Kilometer/Mile totals are tracked using the new version of the Radbonus app, available for free from app stores. A key highlight of the new season is that for every 100,000 kilometers (62137 miles) cycled collectively, our new partner, CleanHub, will remove a ton of plastic waste from rivers and coastal regions of Southeast Asia. The organization is actively committed to reducing plastic pollution in particularly vulnerable regions.

GWcycles welcomes riders at all levels – from recreational cruisers to long-distance professionals. In addition to the rewarding feeling of contributing to a meaningful cause, participants will also have the opportunity to win exciting prizes. The 300 most active riders by the end of the campaign will be entered into a drawing for a high-quality gravel bike, while the top-ranked cyclist will score an exclusive Gebrüder Weiss winner’s jersey. Register now and start pedaling! www.gw-world.com/gwcycles

In the Air & Sea sector, the group reported the highest increase in revenue with 939 million euros/1.01 billion dollars, a gain of 21 percent (2023: 776 million euros/837 million dollars). 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/1.63 million dollars (2023: 1.45 billion euros/1.56 billion dollars). 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 63.2 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 a 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 2024 fiscal year, a total of 124 million euros/129 million dollars 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. 

In North America, revenues grew by 47%, driven in part by strategic expansion across the U.S. Southwest and Intermountain West. The U.S. business acquired air-and-sea freight forwarder Cargo-Link in Salt Lake City, Utah, and opened new branch office locations in Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona. These new additions enhanced regional LTL, FTL, and LCL service capabilities and brought the number of company-owned locations in North America to 17. To combat the rise of freight fraud and double brokering, the U.S. team developed a partnership with Highway, a leading carrier identity company. The logistics leader also partnered with Turvo, utilizing its Collaborative Transportation Management System software for greater transparency and efficiency.  

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 customers’ 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 last fiscal year. 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 company appointed Mark Berumen as Phoenix Branch Manager to lead the new location. Berumen brings a wealth of knowledge to the role as a seasoned logistics leader with over 30 years of experience in freight forwarding, supply chain management and international trade. His expertise spans profit and loss, budgeting, carrier negotiation, import/export, operations management, air and ocean freight, sales, and project management. 

"Throughout my career in logistics and freight forwarding, Gebrüder Weiss has always had a reputation for being the gold standard in global transport," says Berumen. "Our Phoenix office has fast become an integral part of U.S. operations, and it's an honor to be part of the Gebrüder Weiss team." 

Gebrüder Weiss has been strategically expanding its operations nationwide to accommodate trade demand between the U.S. and Mexico. Since Arizona is Mexico's largest trading partner, the Phoenix location is growing in importance as a key hub for trade across the Southern border. In 2023, there was close to $20 billion in import/export activity between the two locations. 

 "The Phoenix branch office further strengthens our cross-border trade capabilities and provides even more supply chain flexibility," says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. "Our ongoing expansion in the U.S. continues to open new doors of opportunity for our clients."

In addition to the Phoenix office, Gebrüder Weiss has broadened its North American footprint with new warehouses, port facilities, and branch locations. Within the past few years, the company opened a new warehouse in Laredo, Texas, to accommodate road, air, and sea logistics services; a freight hub in Miami, Florida, to facilitate transport between Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean; a 106,000-square-foot warehouse in Elgin, Illinois; an El Paso, Texas, office to meet increased demand for cross-border trade; and a new office in Denver, Colorado to support domestic trucking, air cargo, e-commerce, and intermodal transport services. The company also acquired Salt Lake City-based freight forwarding company Cargo-Link, expanding its presence in the Intermountain West.

The supply chain company fosters youth career opportunities through its Gebrüder Weiss Supply Chain Leadership Scholarship, collegiate recruiting, and internship programs. 

"Gebrüder Weiss strives to provide opportunities for the next generation of business leaders through scholarships and internships, and we are proud to support Humanity Rising's efforts to empower service-minded students as they pursue their career dreams," says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. 

Humanity Rising celebrates the service achievements of high school students and recognizes their contributions to creating a more compassionate and better world. A committee of participating students selected local student Samantha Iller, a senior at Schaumburg High School, to receive the $1,500 scholarship funded by Gebrüder Weiss. Samantha exemplifies the spirit of service and leadership celebrated by Humanity Rising. Her impactful experience rebuilding homes with Adventures in Appalachia highlighted her dedication to creating safe and meaningful spaces for families, a commitment she plans to carry into her future career as a commercial pilot, ensuring safety and comfort for all.

"I am incredibly grateful to Gebrüder Weiss and Humanity Rising for this opportunity. My dedication to serving others has become such an important part of my life and will be part of my career in the future," says Iller. "It's wonderful to see organizations championing young changemakers and providing opportunities for us to thrive." 

Humanity Rising continues to expand its recognition outlets for young people, including student-led podcasts featuring young changemakers and a film festival competition for high school students with scholarship prizes.

Providing young people with education and knowledge so that they can build an independent existence is a critical part of this philanthropic project. Diesel generators previously powered the settlement and its training workshops. Now, the workshops will benefit from a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar energy solution. The PV system, donated by photovoltaic manufacturers and electrical engineering companies from Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein, operates off-grid and can generate up to 200 kilowatts of electrical energy.

“This is an exemplary initiative by companies in the region that helps to give the local population a perspective for the future – and it also makes ecological sense. Solar energy instead of fossil fuels: a sustainable aid project that we are happy to support,” said Andreas Bilgeri, Manager of Gebrüder Weiss Air & Sea Wolfurt.

The solar energy system, packed into a 40-foot sea freight container, will begin its journey before Christmas. It will travel by rail from Wolfurt to Rotterdam, then by ship to Mombasa, Kenya, and finally by truck to its destination in Uganda. The global logistics company is transporting the solar energy system free of charge from Vorarlberg to Uganda in East Africa.

"I am very happy to have Gebrüder Weiss, an internationally experienced logistics company located in Vorarlberg, on our side. This simplifies the coordination processes for us and we can be sure that the solar system will arrive at its destination safely and on time," says Matthias Burtscher, one of the coordinators of the campaign.

With the support of many volunteers, the donated PV system modules were assembled, tested and then packed at his company's premises before being transported. This collaborative effort exemplifies the power of regional partnerships to create sustainable solutions and provide vital resources for underserved communities around the world.

About the project

"Solar Power for Palorinya" is a joint project of the Catholic missionary order of the Comboni Missionaries - represented locally by Brother Erich Fischnaller - and numerous companies, associations and individuals from Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol. Fischnaller, who was born in South Tyrol and began his missionary work in Africa 50 years ago, has been involved in the Palorinya refugee center since 2016. More than 125,000 people live there, most of whom have fled the civil war in neighboring Sudan.

The new solar energy system not only helps save on the high cost of diesel fuel, but also makes the most of Uganda's climatic conditions. Due to its location on the equator, the sun shines at a consistently high intensity almost all year round.

 “The decision to gain a foothold in Japan has turned out to be the right strategy in the long term. Companies in the island nation manufacture their products for recipients all over the world. So, their goods are present in numerous supply chains within the Gebrüder Weiss network,” explains Michael Zankel, Regional Manager East Asia / Oceania at Gebrüder Weiss.

Owing to its strong industrial base, Japan had developed into one of the world’s most successful economies by the end of the 1980s, and today ranks fourth in terms of GDP. “It therefore made sense to incorporate Japan and the Asian-Pacific region into the global network of Gebrüder Weiss to offer these companies solutions for their logistics requirements,” recalls Stefan Aebi, Country Manager Japan at Gebrüder Weiss. There are five major transshipment centers strategically located for sea freight transports with container ports in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaka. The airports in Tokyo and Osaka offer connections to the air freight network.

Congratulations on the 25^th anniversary also came from long-time customers that Gebrüder Weiss has  provided with  transport services since the company’s early years in Japan. “Gebrüder Weiss has always supported us reliably with excellent logistics services in times of the pandemic and other global challenges. We have gained a lot of added value from the company’s professionalism and innovative power, and we greatly appreciate this trusting partnership,” says Hisaya Shiga, Assistant to the Head of Sales – Functional Clothing at Kurabo, a Japanese textile and chemical manufacturer. Other customers come from the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors. But the activities of the 40-strong team in Japan are not limited to specific industries. “We also take care of furniture, food and beverages,” Stefan Aebi explains.

In year 25 after entering the market, Gebrüder Weiss offers its air and sea freight services at three locations in Japan’s major economic hubs: in the capital Tokyo, in Osaka and in Nagoya, a central hub of the automotive, aviation and textile industries. The Southeast and East Asian network is complemented by branches in South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Serbia has developed into an attractive procurement market for automotive parts, food, textiles, and furniture, with around 70 percent of exports going to the EU. In addition, the Balkan country is the main supplier of agricultural products to many of its neighboring countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.  

Today, Gebrüder Weiss offers its customers in Serbia land, air, and sea freight transport, customs clearance, and logistics solutions. Groupage freight shipments go to neighboring countries and the EU single market several times a week. The logistics provider has a total of 20,000 square meters (more than 250,000 square feet) of logistics space in the country. In 2023, the company generated net revenue of 53 million euros. 

In addition to its headquarters in Dobanovci near Belgrade, Gebrüder Weiss has three other locations in Serbia: in Novi Sad in the north and in Niš and Strojkovce near Leskovac in the south. A new logistics warehouse in Dobanovci recently commenced operations. The company has already invested over 20 million euros in its logistics facilities. “By the end of the year, we will have invested an additional million euros in our home delivery services and additional warehouse space,” says Thomas Schauer, Regional Manager for Central and Southeastern Europe at Gebrüder Weiss.  

Another area of focus for the logistics industry leader is sustainability. The company’s Dobanovci location obtains all of its electricity from a solar power plant, reducing CO2 emissions by 90 tons per year. Eight natural gas trucks (CNG) operate on four routes for the consumer goods industry. In addition, detergents and cleaning agents are transported sustainably by rail to Germany.  

“Every year, 1,500 containers roll by rail from Budapest to the Ruhr area. This saves us more than a thousand tons of CO2 compared to conventional truck transport,” explains Roland Raith, Country Manager Serbia at Gebrüder Weiss. Next year, zero-emission e-transporters will also be used for deliveries to end customers in Serbia. 

Starting with a small office in Belgrade in 2004, Gebrüder Weiss now employs 300 people in Serbia. Gebrüder Weiss was one of the first logistics companies to implement the principle of dual training for young professionals there. Since 2018, young professionals have been receiving both on-the-job and academic training in cooperation with the Transport and Technical School in Belgrade. “We offer young professionals long-term career prospects in a range of logistics occupations,” says Roland Raith. 

Gebrüder Weiss Serbia at a glance: 

Founded: 2004 

2023 annual revenue: 53 million euros 

Employees: 300 

Logistics area: 20,000 square meters 

Investment volume since market entry: over 20 million euros 

Latest expansion: 3,600 square meters of new warehouse space at the Dobanovci headquarters 

Overland shipments handled in 2023: 290,000 

Home deliveries in 2023: 62,000 

"Gebrüder Weiss continues to enhance its global suite of services for customers, and we're delighted to be one of the companies invited to Cargado's load board," says Kevin Sendre, Director of Full Truckload North America for Gebrüder Weiss. "Cargado's vision to make cross-border freight interconnected, dependable, and transparent fully aligns with Gebrüder Weiss' ethos, and we look forward to our partnership with the team."  

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, trade between the U.S. and Mexico totaled $415.4 billion for the first half of 2024 (January through June). This is the highest total ever recorded for the time period, and the value of trade across the border is consistently breaking year-over-year records. In addition to expanding its services, Gebrüder Weiss is partnering with select companies to optimize nearshoring logistics. Earlier this year, the company announced a new relationship with Highway, a Carrier Identity^TM software platform designed to provide clients with comprehensive information on freight carriers to prevent fraud. Similarly, Cargado's platform is invitation-only to enhance trust and end-to-end transparency.

"Demand for nearshoring has exploded in the past few years, and the movement of freight between the U.S. and Mexico has exploded as a result," says Matt Silver, CEO and Co-founder of Cargado. "I founded Cargado to move the industry forward, improve trust, and create a more interconnected North American freight market. Gebrüder Weiss is a highly respected industry leader, and we're delighted to welcome them to the load board."

For more information about Gebrüder Weiss North America, its services, locations, or employment opportunities, please visit gw-world.com/us.

An industry pioneer in the use of alternative drive technologies and sustainable practices, the logistics company ran its third and latest cycling campaign between March and September. Aptly titled “Cycling to the moon and back,” Gebrüder Weiss called on cyclists around the world to join its campaign by downloading the Radbonus app and covering as many kilometers as possible on two wheels.

“It’s clear that bicycle mobility is growing in popularity,” remarks Frank Haas, Head of Communications at Gebrüder Weiss, “and rightly so: Cycling gives people a chance to enjoy being active and boosts both personal health and climate protection. I’m particularly pleased that we were once again able to encourage so many people to do their best to support a good cause. Thank you to everyone who got involved!”

Another benefit to the company’s annual cycling campaign is that each kilometer cycled helps to protect the climate. The 2024 cycling campaign has enabled Gebrüder Weiss to plant 7,000 new trees in the corporate forest in Nicaragua. A total of 19,000 trees have been planted since the campaign was launched in 2022. Once fully grown, these trees will absorb around 285 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere per year.

For more information about “Cycling around the World”, go to: https://info.gw-world.com/gwcycles.

"We are thrilled to see Sandra recognized for her leadership, dedication, and long list of accomplishments," said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. "Sandra is a true 'Workforce Innovator' who played a pivotal role in building out our human resources functions in the U.S. from the ground up. We congratulate her for this prestigious and well-deserved award."

Musielak has developed key human resources (HR) initiatives for Gebrüder Weiss since the company entered the U.S. market in 2017. Of note, she created and operationalized a learning and development system, building it from individual one-on-one training to a standardized process that accommodates the company's fast pace of growth. Musielak led a recruiting strategy that has resulted in long lines at their booth at job fairs and built an internship program that offers an immersive learning opportunity for people to gain supply chain skills and contribute to the company in meaningful ways. Within her department, she initiated an HR Boot Camp to set HR administrators on a promotion track, armed with the information and tools they need to move up the ladder, including technical knowledge, industry expertise, and soft skills.

"My mantra is 'be a leader, not a manager,' so it's particularly meaningful to me to be honored with an award for supply chain leadership," says Musielak. "When Mark McCullough hired me, he asked me to keep the 'human' in human resources, and I've carried that mission forward ever since. I'm grateful for the opportunities and support I've received from Mark and my Gebrüder Weiss colleagues over the years and will continue to develop our HR department with the goal of empowering people."

For more information about Gebrüder Weiss North America, its services, locations, or employment opportunities, please visit gw-world.com/us.

"This announcement is exciting on two fronts. We are thrilled to establish a new strategic hub in Denver and continue our pace of growth in the region," said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. "We are equally thrilled to welcome Don Derbin to Gebrüder Weiss. We specifically sought him out for this role based on his depth of industry knowledge, extensive network of longstanding partnerships, and stellar reputation."

The office opening is part of a broader expansion in the Intermountain West. Earlier this year, Gebrüder Weiss announced the acquisition of Cargo-Link, a non-asset-based freight forwarding company located in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in less-than-container load shipping. The Denver location provides additional shipping synergies and operational efficiencies with the Salt Lake City team. Denver is a fast-growing city in terms of population and economic growth, and customer demand has increased as a result. In addition to its regional strength, Denver's central freight hub location opens access to the West Coast and Midwest.

Derbin has more than 20 years of management and supply chain leadership experience and an impressive sales and operations background at mid-sized European freight forwarding companies. "I've long admired Gebrüder Weiss as a company, and I jumped at the opportunity to join them in Denver," says Derbin. "There is tremendous potential in the area, and I'm excited to lead the Denver-based expansion as part of such a well-respected global organization." 

Fraud has become a growing concern across the freight forwarding and logistics industries. Credit company TransUnion reported a nearly 800% increase in global freight fraud from 2019 to 2021. The primary types of fraud include outright cargo theft, carrier identity theft, and double brokering - a practice in which criminal intermediaries pose as legitimate carriers to take control of shipments. Industry group FreightWaves estimates that double brokering costs the supply chain up to $700 million in payments each year.  

“Fraud, identity theft, cargo theft, double brokering, and criminal activity are very serious issues in our industry. Highway’s platform allows us to target potential bad actors, mitigate our risk, prevent illegitimate carriers from infiltrating our network, and ensure quality carrier selection,” says Kevin Sendre, Director of Full Truckload (FTL) North America for Gebrüder Weiss. “Gebrüder Weiss is proactively taking steps to combat fraud, and we are excited to leverage Highway’s expertise in establishing true carrier identity and expand our partnership with new service offerings.”

As freight forwarding communications and information increasingly become digital, bad actors have had greater access to freight transaction details. Highway turns the tables through with proprietary techniques that identify suspicious activity and flag illegitimate carriers before they have an opportunity to conduct fraud. Gebrüder Weiss has its own set of carrier requirements – such as a minimum of 90 days in business – and uses Highway to select carriers that meet its high standards. In addition to fraud prevention, Gebrüder Weiss leverages carrier information to manage relationships with its chosen partners.

Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. “The logistics industry faces significant challenges from fraudsters and criminal activity that can disrupt the entire supply chain. Our partnership with Gebrüder Weiss not only aims to mitigate these risks but also ensures that their carrier network is robust and transparent,” Caney said. “We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Gebrüder Weiss and integrate our solutions further into their operations, enhancing both security and operational efficiency."

“Our goal at Gebrüder Weiss is to proactively combat fraud before it starts,” says Sendre. “The transparency of information enables us to prevent criminal activity, and provide quality carrier selection for our customers.”

As Gebrüder Weiss continues to evolve and embrace digital advancements, the company remains dedicated to providing secure, seamless, and trustworthy logistics solutions for its clients worldwide.

As in previous years, GWcycles combines this athletic challenge with environmental protection. The international transport company will plant another 7,000 trees in Nicaragua for the kilometers covered by the participants. In the two previous rounds, a total of 13,000 trees have been planted in Togo and Nicaragua. By planting these corporate forests, Gebrüder Weiss makes an important and active contribution to a climate-friendly future.

“At Gebrüder Weiss, we believe in sustainable mobility, and as a global logistics company, we are enthusiastic about moving things together,” Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications at Gebrüder Weiss, describes the essential motivation and targets of GWcycles. “So far, our cycling community has accomplished spectacular results each year; they enjoy exercising and actively contributing to environmental protection. We are looking forward to this year’s competition.”

Following the previous year’s campaign, which ended with a surprising success – more than 15 times around the world – the company is challenging the participants of the 2024 competition to cycle to the moon and back. The main prize that Gebrüder Weiss offers to the top 300 cyclists is a gravel bike, as well as other attractive prizes for seven different challenges. Anyone can participate in the competition. The number of kilometers completed will be recorded and calculated in a cycling app. Click here to find the relevant app: www.gw-world.com/de/cycling-around-the-world. Simply download, register, and get started!

While Crandall’s title is Vice President of Sales, his role is customer service driven. He stays involved with existing customers to foster their success and find creative solutions to supply chain needs. For example, he may work with international importers to help manage a complex cross-border import process on a customer’s behalf or connect with supply chain warehousing operations to provide guidance on regulatory requirements. Internally at Gebrüder Weiss, he manages his teams with a strong focus on mentorship.

"Many of today's supply chain pros are more than just leaders within their space; they're innovators, decision makers, pioneers of change and growth. They've spent the last year (and more) creating safer, more efficient supply chains," says Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “New this year, we broke the award down into four distinct categories: Top Warehousing Stars; Top Procurement Stars; Rising Stars; and Lifetime Achievement. These winners continue to go above and beyond to overcome challenges, advance supply chain management and make the impossible, possible.”

Recipients of this year’s award will be profiled in Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s March 2024 issue, which will be distributed at MODEX 2024 and at  www.SDCExec.com.

Go to  https://sdce.me/9nuat3bs  to view the full list of winners. Go to  www.SDCExec.com/awards  to learn more about other Supply & Demand Chain Executive awards.

“Despite the challenges posed by general economic conditions, we have been able to help our customers enjoy success in their global sales markets with our first-rate service and increase the presence of Gebrüder Weiss with new locations in the USA and Germany. This is due first and foremost to the wholehearted dedication shown by our employees. Geopolitical conflicts and weaker global economic output had a negative impact on revenue and transport volumes. Our stable financial situation meant that, in 2023, we were still able to implement a comprehensive investment program to expand both locations and services,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss. Many projects that had to be postponed as a result of COVID-19 could now be carried out in 2023. 

Investments in network expansion
With a record investment volume of 187 million euros, Gebrüder Weiss substantially expanded its network in the German and US markets, as well as South-Eastern Europe, while also investing in customer projects and sustainable energy generation. In Bavaria in particular, the logistics company consolidated its position through acquisitions and real estate purchases in Bayreuth, Konradsreuth and Nuremberg and the construction of a new freight forwarding terminal in Straubing. The US network was expanded to include locations in Miami and Laredo, Texas. Other investment projects included a second location in Bucharest, the enlargement of the logistics terminal in Hungary, and the construction of a new logistics warehouse in Graz and Reutte, Tyrol. As a result of the acquisitions, the number of employees at the 180 locations worldwide increased to 8,600 (2022: 8,400).

At the same time as it works to expand its network, Gebrüder Weiss has also been investing in the digitalization of supply chain management. Warehouse analysis functions (Warehouse Analytics) have been added to the web-based customer portal myGW. The portal offers transparency along the entire supply chain and serves as a central information and communication platform for customers and their global shipments, covering everything from real-time tracking to estimated times of arrival (ETA).

North American growth continues
In North America, Gebrüder Weiss continued strategic expansion across the continent with a newly opened office and warehouse in Laredo, Texas, leveraging the largest inland port in North America to provide additional road, air, and sea logistics services for the critical flow of trade between the U.S. and Mexico. Gebrüder Weiss also opened an air and sea freight hub in Miami to facilitate transport between Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, and a 106,000-square-foot warehouse in Elgin, Illinois, near the North American headquarters office in Wood Dale, Illinois. On the capabilities front, the team added highly specialized experts in breakbulk and complicated cargo projects and expanded road transport capabilities with new key hires and full truckload services. Notably, Gebrüder Weiss USA was named a winner in the 2023 Excellence in Customer Service Awards from Business Intelligence Group. Daniela Hendricks, Chief Compliance & Process Officer, was recognized with a Supply & Demand Chain Executive 2023 Pros to Know award. 

"2023 was a pivotal year in which we cemented our logistics leadership in nearshoring by opening multiple key locations and bringing in talented leaders to expand our depth of services," says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA. "At the same time, our employees continued to receive accolades for the quality of their work, and I appreciate our entire teams' ongoing efforts to foster a collaborative culture and surpass customer expectations."

More renewable energies 
The company made progress in decarbonizing its own business activities. Three-quarters of the company’s own electricity requirements in the DACH region are already met by its own solar power. In 2023, the logistics expert commissioned nine further photovoltaic systems (PV) in the DACH region and Eastern Europe. A total of 27 PV systems generated 5,850 megawatt hours of electricity, doubling the amount of CO2 emissions saved to 2,750 tons. Gebrüder Weiss has also been helping improve the green credentials of the electricity mix in Germany since 2011 with its wind farm in Northern Germany. 

The company’s attention is increasingly on its own vehicle fleet as part of its goal to achieve climate neutrality in the operation of its own assets and trucks by 2030. The logistics company already uses e-vans to deliver goods ordered online to end customers in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Romania. Two battery-powered trucks will be launched in Germany this year, and further e-trucks and e-delivery vehicles will be purchased in Austria. To manage the transition period to e-mobility, the company is converting a large part of its own truck fleet in Austria to hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO). 

Following the downturn in global trade and signs of a recession, Gebrüder Weiss expects a slight economic upturn in the second half of 2024, thereby translating into more positive revenue development fed by the success of individual national companies. Wolfram Senger-Weiss noted, “We are now benefiting from the fact that we have a global position and can swiftly respond to economic upturns in individual regions with the necessary local logistics services. At the same time, we see confirmation of our “best of both worlds” strategy. The last few years in particular have shown how important it is to invest in both the development of the operational network and the company’s digital expertise.”
 

With Cargo-Link, Gebrüder Weiss will offer specialized weekly LCL service from North and South China ports directly into Salt Lake City. Gebrüder Weiss, the North American division headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, will leverage Cargo-Link’s strategic location and its leadership team’s expertise to open new LCL routes to Asia and Europe. Salt Lake City is a fast-growing market that values local presence, and the acquisition provides a new regional market entrance. Gebrüder Weiss will retain Cargo-Link’s management team and integrate its employees into the newly merged organization.

“We are thrilled to bring Cargo-Link under the Gebrüder Weiss umbrella,” says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. “There are tremendous synergies between the two companies, and we mutually benefit from the agreement. We look forward to partnering with the Cargo-Link leadership team to enhance our customers' LCL and Intermountain West-based opportunities.”

Cargo-Link was founded in 1976 in Salt Lake City and grew to become a renowned freight forwarder and Customs House Brokerage (CHB) in an important market. Operationally, the majority of the business is comprised of sea freight imports, with air freight, domestic freight forwarding, and export business making up the remainder. CEO and Owner Scott Ogden has managed Cargo-Link since its inception and has developed an extensive network of client relationships and overseas partners.

“This acquisition significantly upgrades our service potential and broadens customer access, seamlessly blending Cargo-Link's expertise with the expansive capabilities of Gebrüder Weiss," says Scott Ogden, CEO of Cargo-Link. “The two companies are a cultural fit as well as a business fit. Cargo-Link is a family-owned, family-focused company with a philanthropic culture, and we sought those same values in a corporate partner.”

In addition to Gebrüder Weiss’ greater coverage in the Intermountain West geographic area and establishing Salt Lake City as its 15^th North American location, the company also gains access to a 22,000-square-foot warehouse attached to the Cargo-Link office and optimally positioned near the Salt Lake City airport. Gebrüder Weiss North America has opened operations in all major U.S. markets and is now focusing on regional markets with location-specific experience and operations.

“Manifest is one of the top supply chain and logistics events in the nation, and we’re delighted to provide support and sponsorship,” says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. “As a global logistics firm with European roots, we are keeping pace with post-pandemic trends and continue to anticipate and respond to customer needs around the world. In the past two years, our North American offices have expanded our domestic transport services and opened additional facilities in Laredo and El Paso, Texas, to support the North American cross-border trucking and nearshoring trend,” added McCullough.

The company’s booth theme is “The Long Drive,” a play on words for the logistics organization’s golf simulator activity that will allow attendees to practice their swings and compete in a daily contest for prizes in a “Long Drive” and “Closest to the Pin” challenge. The theme highlights full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), and partial truckload services offered by Gebrüder Weiss. Demand for LTL, in particular, has boomed during the post-pandemic trend toward nearshoring and cross-border shipping. Globally, the LTL market size is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% from 2024-2028.

“The future of the global supply chain hinges on a combination of advanced technology and digitalization for peak efficiency, and the human element of white glove, high-quality customer service,” added McCullough. “We’re grateful to the conference organizers for bringing the top minds in the industry together to help spur the next evolution of the supply chain.”

Event registration is available at a discount through Gebrüder Weiss’ custom sponsor link. More than 3,000 people attended the 2023 Manifest event, and 2024 attendance is expected to surpass 4,500 people.

“Opening a location in Brisbane represents another key step in our efforts to increase our presence in Australia. The services offered here are tailored particularly to customers from the engineering, agriculture, and medical equipment sectors,” says Andrew Antonopoulos, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand at Gebrüder Weiss. “The services include air & sea transports, customs clearance, and a customized logistics mix for project orders.”

Most recently, Gebrüder Weiss organized the transport of an innovative solar car from Switzerland to Australia and back for the ETH Zurich’s aCentauri Solar Racing Team. The Swiss team managed to cover a distance of 3,000 km across the Australian outback using nothing but solar power.

World’s largest free trade zone driving growth

Australia’s most important partners for its import-oriented economy are China, the USA, and other Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan, where Gebrüder Weiss also operates its own locations. “We offer efficient end-to-end logistics solutions for connections with the rapidly growing amount of intra-Asian traffic,” says Michael Zankel, Regional Manager East Asia/Oceania at Gebrüder Weiss. Australia’s most important trading partner in Europe is Germany, with bilateral trade rising to a record high of around 17.9 billion euros in 2022, according to Germany Trade & Invest. Negotiations between the EU and Australia on a free trade agreement are at an advanced stage.

Gebrüder Weiss has plans to open additional locations in the north and west of Australia to provide blanket coverage for the entire continent. The logistics provider also has a foothold in New Zealand with two locations in Auckland and Christchurch, complementing its presence in Australia.

"Gebrüder Weiss is a family-owned organization, and we saw this sense of family translate into enthusiastic participation in our company match for employee donations and in-person volunteer efforts to support families in our community," said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA. "This is our seventh annual charitable program for the holiday season, and we're proud to continue this important tradition."

Bleuroot, a local West Dundee, Illinois restaurant known for its wholesome menu, partnered with Gebrüder Weiss for the third year in a row to prepare the meals and deliver them to recipients' homes. The local Home Depot donated a poinsettia for each family, which was provided with a Thanksgiving meal. Additional community participants joined in to enhance the fundraising efforts. The Goddard School in Elgin, Illinois encouraged parents to donate if they were able, and the school provided a $500 donation that allowed Gebrüder Weiss to drop off additional meals at West Dundee fire and police departments, a Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, and a PADS shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

To date, Gebrüder Weiss was able to more than triple the number of meals provided year-over-year, from 62 in 2022 to 200 so far in 2023. With its ongoing fundraising efforts, company match, and community partner support, the number of donated meals will continue to grow throughout the season.

Logistics partner and main sponsor Gebrüder Weiss has been on board since the very beginning. Not only did the company ensure the vehicle arrived safely in South America, but it also co-financed the innovative venture. “As the oldest transport and logistics company, we are committed to the future of mobility,” says Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications at Gebrüder Weiss. “This success underlines our ongoing support for sustainable mobility projects and innovative technologies. We are delighted for the team and will now bring the record-breaking vehicle safely back to Switzerland.”

The impressive undertaking began two months ago: Gebrüder Weiss transported the e-truck from Switzerland via Rotterdam and then by sea freight to Chile. Another overland transport took the solar truck to the Atacama region. The Peak Evolution team started at the Maricunga Salt Flat with the first exploratory tours and acclimatization on the mountain, at an elevation of 11,155 feet (3,400 meters). The extreme terrain and environmental conditions of the world’s highest volcano not only put the high-tech vehicle to the test, but also put the team under extreme physical and mental strain. “Despite these extreme conditions, our specially developed

vehicle managed to drive higher than any other e-vehicle – let alone a solar-powered one,” says Patrik Koller, CEO, and developer at Peak Evolution, summarizing the success. “We have been training for this moment for four years, so giving up was never an option.” The three adventurers reached the first milestone at the end of November, breaking the record for e-vehicles by surpassing the 19,685 feet (6,000 meter) barrier. One week later, they reached 21,325 feet (6,500 meters) above sea level – the record height of their mission. They reached the western ridge of Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on earth, using nothing but solar power. With the world record in the bag, the Peak Evolution team is now heading back to Switzerland, with Gebrüder Weiss ensuring that the record-breaking vehicle also makes it safely back to Europe.

The logistics company will continue to support pioneering projects, and in January it will support a dress rehearsal of the Austrian Space Forum’s Mars mission take place at the Gebrüder Weiss site in Maria Lanzendorf near Vienna. The company will also test an autonomous truck next year and send an international research team to Greenland to gain important insights into climate change.

Runge reports to fellow industry veteran Michael Ruediger - Director of Industrial Projects and Energy Transport Solutions - North America. The pair are based in the Houston office, a Gebrüder Weiss location dedicated to specialized projects and project transportation.  Both Runge and Ruediger are subject matter experts in vessel, barge and aircraft chartering, complex inland transportation requirements, and site work.

 "We are thrilled to have Torge join the project team," said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. "The caliber of his leadership abilities and operational expertise is second to none, and his vast experience will further enhance the tailor-made logistics solutions and project execution capabilities we provide to our clients."

The Houston office is one of 180 company-owned locations in the worldwide Gebrüder Weiss network. The company is known for anticipating industry trends and customer needs and has expanded North American services to optimize regional trade hubs and accommodate demand for nearshoring. In June of 2023, the company announced the opening of its new location in Laredo, Texas, the largest inland port in North America.

On the 3,000 km route from Darwin to Adelaide, the students had to compete with 31 other teams in their category and overcome numerous obstacles. On the very first day, the team struggled with a flat tire and with the technology of their solar car. For a short time, it looked as if the Swiss team would not stay in the race for long. A night shift by the engineers prevented the team from quitting and brought the solar car back to a speed of up to 85 km/h (53 mph). In this way, the students managed to cover an average of 500 km (311 miles) per day and came in twelfth at the finish line in Adelaide.

The team was welcomed by Martin Fernandes, Country Manager Gebrüder Weiss in Australia, and Sharon Young, Customer Service & Process Manager Gebrüder Weiss in Melbourne: “We were very impressed by the young researchers’ enthusiasm for alternative drive technologies. Solar mobility is capable of much more than is generally assumed. We are pleased to be the official logistics partner and sponsor of this project. We are happy about the great result and will continue to support aCentauri’s journey.”

The team of ETH Zurich would like to go back to Australia in two years’ time to compete in the race again. Aaron Griesser, expert in drive and control technology, evaluates the race from an engineer’s point of view: “We have learned a lot about our development in this race. Now we know that we still have potential in terms of efficiency and aerodynamics, and we will use that knowledge to build version 2.0 of our car. Our motivation for 2025 is huge, and we will do our best to advance our vision of an eco-friendly future.”

It is now time for the ETH Zurich team to start their homeward journey. Gebrüder Weiss will ensure that the innovative solar car, including racing equipment, returns safely to Technopark Zurich. The tailor-made logistics mix includes transport by sea freight, comprehensive customs clearance measures, and last-mile delivery by truck.

Following the recent takeover of the Wedlich logistics company in Bayreuth, Gebrüder Weiss announces the next acquisition in Upper Franconia / Germany: effective in January of 2024, the logistics provider will take over the Konradsreuth location from the forwarding company Amm, which is going to operate under the Gebrüder Weiss brand in future. The location near Hof will be continued in its current structure as part of the German general cargo cooperations Cargoline and NG.network, and will be connected to the network of the international logistics provider. The family business headquartered in Lauterach, Vorarlberg/Austria, will welcome the 180 employees working at the location. The purchase is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. The activities of the Amm forwarding company in the Nuremberg region will not be affected by this acquisition.

With its history of more than 500 years, Gebrüder Weiss is considered the oldest transport company in the world. Apart from land transport, the company’s services also include air and sea freight transport as well as logistics solutions, which Gebrüder Weiss offers at 180 locations all over the world. It is the trade and industry sectors in the region, in particular, that are meant to benefit from this international presence and experience, according to Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Gebrüder Weiss. With annual revenues of three billion euros, Gebrüder Weiss does not count among the top players of the industry, “but among the medium-sized ones,” Senger-Weiss emphasizes. With this positioning, Gebrüder Weiss intends to present a deliberate alternative to industry giants. “We are closer to our customers and employees, but can still offer a company-owned global network. In Germany, we are pursuing a clear growth strategy. Konradsreuth is going to play a central role within our national and international land transport network,” Senger-Weiss added.

The region of Upper Franconia is an important industry location and an ideal transshipment point for land transports between Eastern Europe and Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Moreover, the Hof container terminal is located directly along the route from Hamburg through Leipzig down to the Adriatic Sea and can also be used for transporting goods by rail. Werner Dettenthaler, Managing Director of Land Transport Germany at Gebrüder Weiss, emphasizes the importance of the location: “We are closing a geographic gap in Bavaria with the Konradsreuth location, offering our customers a wide network of locations from Upper Bavaria to Upper Franconia.” The company already holds its own branches in Memmingen, Waldkraiburg, Passau, Straubing, Nuremberg and Bayreuth.

Strong partnerships

The memberships of the Konradsreuth location in the German general cargo cooperations Cargoline and NG.network will be continued under the orange flag of Gebrüder Weiss. “As shareholder of NG.network, we are glad to contribute another location to the network, thus offering our partners and customers even more stability for their transports,” adds Dettenthaler. The cooperations consist of local transport partners with whom Gebrüder Weiss carries out joint land transports throughout Germany.

“In Gebrüder Weiss, we have found an owner-managed logistics company with a sustainable corporate culture that intends to invest in the location and its employees long term. Under the orange flag, Konradsreuth is going to maintain the high quality of the Cargoline and NG.network general cargo networks,” says Ralf Amm, the previous owner of the location. The entrepreneur will now focus on developing the Amm Group in Nuremberg.

Alexander Prittig will remain the Branch Manager in Konradsreuth under Gebrüder Weiss. For the experienced logistics expert, this integration holds great potential: “It’s good news for the Upper Franconian business community. Our local know-how will be complemented by an established international network. In this way, apart from national and international land transports, we can also offer air and sea freight as well as other digital services to our customers in the future. And for our employees, it means excellent career opportunities in a globally active logistics company.”

Global demand for nearshoring has led to significant geographic shifts in manufacturing and distribution. In 2022 alone, trade between the U.S. and Mexico was valued at a record-breaking $779.3 billion. Laredo has become a focal point in the critical Mexico/U.S. trade route and facilitates 40% of all trade between the two countries. This volume translated to 5.5 million trucks passing through the border town in 2022, moving about $800 million worth of products on a daily basis.

“We’re delighted to open the doors to our new Laredo location, which is uniquely positioned to streamline North American trade and expand the gateway to the U.S. and Mexico from Latin America and Asia,” said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. “Nearshoring has been called a trend, but our strategy provides geographic advantages to our customers that will stand the test of time.”

The 16,200 square-foot Gebrüder Weiss Laredo warehouse is located at 14410 Industry Avenue. It includes a cross-dock warehouse to handle both Northbound and Southbound cargo and support for the 15,000 commercial trucks crossing the border each day. The warehouse is hazmat-certified and will process bonded and general cargo, and features a Mexican customs brokerage for import/export and U.S. customs brokerage for import/export, customs clearance, and in-bond freight.

For more information about Gebrüder Weiss North America, its services, locations, or employment opportunities, please visit www.gw-world.com/us

Frank Haas, Head of Communications at Gebrüder Weiss, is thrilled by the positive response, “This year’s large number of participants from all over the world has clearly exceeded our expectations. We thank all entrants for their outstanding commitment,” Haas noted. For Gebrüder Weiss, this competition is not only a sports challenge, it also stands for sustainable mobility and active climate protection. The organization's commitment to sustainability is further underlined by the company’s reforestation project in Nicaragua. For the kilometers covered in this year’s competition, Gebrüder Weiss has planted a total of 7,000 trees. “Many participants were additionally motivated by the idea of helping to increase the size of our corporate forest. Meanwhile, a cycling community has evolved, demonstrating that we can achieve a lot together,” adds Mr. Haas.

The participants used a cycling app to record the distances they covered. The close finish between Janusz Mucha from Poland and Markus Knabl from Austria remained thrilling until the very end, when they shared first place in this year’s competition, each of them covering more than 17,000 kilometers or 10,563 miles.

Primaklima, a non-profit organization active for 30 years, is the company’s cooperation partner for the reforestation project. With the trees planted in the company’s forest, Gebrüder Weiss helps reduce the burden on our atmosphere by some 154 tons of CO2 each year.

For more information on the “Cycling around the World” competition, please go to: https://info.gw-world.com/cyclingaroundtheworld

The discussion began with a lighthearted look back at childhood and lessons that inform his career today, including his first experience with transporting goods: a paper route at age eleven that he says gave him his strong work ethic.

Mark’s parting leadership advice: Empower and trust your teams. Give them the knowledge they need to do their jobs with room to make their own mistakes. He believes this management approach can provide ongoing benefits to an organization for years to come.

Listen to the full podcast “How a 550-Year Old Company Empowers Employees to Drive Results“.

"Customer service professionals and suppliers have had to make significant changes to adapt to our evolving world," said Maria Jimenez, chief nominations officer of the Business Intelligence Group. "It is our honor to recognize Gebrüder Weiss as they are leading by example and making real progress on improving the daily lives of so many."

The Excellence in Customer Service Awards celebrate those who are winning by supporting their own customers and those who are developing the tools to help others find success. Awards were given out to consultants, outsource partners and technology providers for superior performances in the past 12 months.

"Customer service excellence is integral to our operations and inherent in our mission," said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA. "We're extremely honored to receive this award from the Business Intelligence Group, and in turn, extend the recognition to our employees who embody our customer service values on a daily basis."

In addition to her academic achievements as a Dean’s list student, Sinha is an active member of Women BUILD, an undergraduate women’s leadership network, and is President of the Rutgers University chapter of Pencils of Promise, a charitable organization that enables educational opportunities for children in underserved international communities. Her resumé is already populated with impressive career experience, including internships at numerous multinational firms, including Nestlé Health Science and Société Générale Equipment Finance.

“As a first-generation woman in business, I’m forging my own career path, and I’m grateful to Gebrüder Weiss for supporting my leadership aspirations,” says Sinha. “This scholarship not only helps ease the financial obligations of college so I can focus on my courses and philanthropic pursuits, it also motivates and empowers me to become an agent of change in the supply chain industry.”

Gebrüder Weiss is a global freight forwarder and a pioneer in sustainable business practices with a focus on economic, ecological, and social initiatives. The scholarship program began in 2020 when Gebrüder Weiss USA pledged a gift of $25,000 in total to the Rutgers University Foundation. The scholarship aims to encourage diverse talent and remove financial barriers for students who plan careers in supply chain and logistics.

“We launched the undergraduate scholarship program at Rutgers to invest in diverse talent and foster opportunities in supply chain management careers,” says Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA. “Gunjan’s collegiate achievements, drive, and passion for the industry are exemplary, and we’re thrilled to honor her with our 2023 scholarship.”

“As we grow both domestically and globally, Miami is a critical location for our Latin American and Central American customers, and the new office enhances our ability to serve these important markets,” said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA. “Miami also serves as a consolidation gateway for cargo out of Asia as there are few direct routes from the Far East to Latin America.”

The office is located at 6303 Blue Lagoon Drive in Miami and will be managed by Marcin Gonzalez, a Gebrüder Weiss USA branch manager with deep knowledge of freight forwarding and Latin/Central American markets. Five additional employees are based in Miami, and the company has plans to continue area-specific growth.

In late 2022, Gebrüder Weiss relocated its USA headquarters from Des Plaines to Wood Dale, Illinois, to obtain additional office space and a 45,000 square-foot warehouse. The company continued its growth with an additional 106,000 square foot warehouse in Elgin, Illinois. The family-owned company prides itself on anticipating customer needs and industry demands and responding quickly with customized transport and logistics solutions.

"The Pros to Know winners are always dedicated, talented, and highly regarded supply chain professionals doing important work in the industry. This year's winners also demonstrated resilience, fortitude, and innovation in their efforts to rebuild and reinvent the supply chain of the future," says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics. "We received a record-breaking 400 nominations this year, which not only confirms the tremendous contributions each professional has made, it also shows the continued appreciation that leadership teams, peers, and colleagues have for these professionals."

"I'm so honored to be selected as a Pro to Know, and by such a well-respected publication in our industry on top of it," said Hendricks. "The supply chain has faced tremendous challenges in the past few years, and I’m proud to be part of the industry’s collective efforts to move past obstacles and develop new solutions. In my nearly 30 years with Gebrüder Weiss, I’ve always had internal support to create and lead initiatives that strengthen the global supply chain to benefit employees and customers alike.

Go to www.SDCExec.com to view the full list of 2023 Pros to Know winners. The overall winner was announced live at ProMat in Chicago. Go to www.SDCExec.com/awards to learn more about upcoming Supply & Demand Chain Executive awards.

About Supply & Demand Chain Executive
Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the only supply chain publication covering the entire global supply chain, focusing on trucking, warehousing, packaging, procurement, risk management, professional development and more. Supply & Demand Chain Executive and sister publication Food Logistics are also home to LINK and LINK Educate podcast channels, LINK Live, SCN Summit, SupplyChainLearningCenter.com and more. Go to www.SDCExec.com to learn more.

The idea behind this year’s sporting competition is environmental protection: for every 40 kilometers cycled, Gebrüder Weiss will pay for a tree to be planted in Nicaragua. This Central American country is severely affected by climate change, and the trees planted there are intended to protect against flooding. The organization partner is PRIMAKLIMA, a non-profit association that has been involved in reforestation projects for more than 30 years.

“We are excited to see how ambitious the participants will be this time. The bar is high, but we believe in our cycling community, which we hope will continue to grow. This campaign is aimed at anyone who enjoys exercising and wants to make a contribution to environmentally friendly mobility. Every kilometer counts, and together we can make a big difference – after all, that's what we like to do most as a logistics company,” says Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications at Gebrüder Weiss. A Gravelbike will be raffled off among the top 250 cyclists. Prizes will also be awarded for completing individual categories ranging from 60 to 6,000 kilometers.

The first edition of the Gebrüder Weiss cycling campaign ended in September 2022 with a total distance covered of 249,392 kilometers. At that time, the international field of participants had surpassed the original goal of “only” one circumnavigation of the globe (40,075 kilometers) many times over and, with this mileage, contributed to the replanting of 5,000 trees in Togo, Africa.

To find out more about or how to participate in Gebrüder Weiss’s 2023 “Cycling Around the World” campaign, visit www.gw-world.com/de/cycling-around-the-world.

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)

In North America, to accommodate its expanding share of business, Gebrüder Weiss moved its U.S. Headquarters in Chicago to a new space nearly double the square footage. Additionally, early in 2022, the company invested in its cross-border capabilities with the addition of a location near the Mexico border in El Paso, Texas. The new location helps accommodate the ongoing shift to nearshoring and provides customers with alternative routes and shipping methods. Gebrüder Weiss now has 11 North American locations, and the company is on track for continued regional growth.

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.”

“Successfully transporting high, wide, and heavy materials requires a superior level of expertise and years of experience. As we expand our capabilities in the United States to handle more specialized projects, we are delighted to welcome industry veteran Michael Ruediger to lead the team,” said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA.  “Michael is an ideal candidate to act as our new Director of Industrial Projects & Energy Transport Solutions, and we are confident that his impressive track record and leadership in expediting complex energy transportation projects will continue here at Gebrüder Weiss.”

In his new position, Michael will lead a team of highly specialized experts in break bulk and complicated cargo projects, including everything from engineering and procurement to construction. His education and experience with general cargo, vessel chartering, heavy haul and rigging, and freight forwarding enhance Gebrüder Weiss’s industry-leading break bulk shipping capabilities, which are backed by an expansive global network.

Break bulk shipping, also known as general cargo shipping, emerged as a “best alternative” to keep cargo moving amidst container shortages and port disruptions during the height of the pandemic.  General cargo shipping involves complex logistics and requires specialized expertise. As the focus on sustainability and alternative energy is ramped up globally, expanding break bulk and energy transport solutions aligns nicely with Gebrüder Weiss’s sustainability goals.

Gebrüder Weiss is a family-owned global logistics and transport company that prides itself on developing customer-specific transport and logistics solutions, maintaining supply chain flexibility in cargo, and expanding services in growth areas to keep up with customer demand in real time.

 “Our statewide expansion, with the new Elgin warehouse and Wood Dale headquarters relocation, allows us to provide more flexibility to our national and global customers while maintaining our commitment to Illinois as our USA headquarters home,” said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a spike in global warehouse demand, with a 21% increase in the US from 2020 to 2021, and a 99% occupancy rate in existing US warehouse space. As a family-owned company with a core business of overland transport, air, sea freight, and logistics, Gebrüder Weiss prides itself on a 550-year history of anticipating and adapting to customers’ needs, including strategies to solve for post-pandemic logistics challenges.

“The supply chain continues to face logistical pressures and economic uncertainties. Our Illinois operations are crucial to efficient supply chain solutions for our U.S.-based customers, as well as our customers abroad,” McCullough said. “We’re focused on leveraging our strengths and expertise as a globally connected partner while offering the agility of nearshoring.”

For Thanksgiving, Gebrüder Weiss partnered with Bleuroot restaurant in West Dundee to deliver 62 meals to families in the area that requested assistance. This was the sixth consecutive year the company worked with a local restaurant to organize and provide holiday meals and the second time it has worked with Bleuroot. Families received delicious and wholesome meals delivered right to their doorstep. The company has also partnered with Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg to pack meals for those in need. The volunteer opportunity has become an annual tradition for Gebrüder Weiss. It is so popular with employees and their families that the company participates in six different packing sessions throughout December and January.

“Gebrüder Weiss is a family-owned organization, and we are committed to growing our people and making a positive impact on our community and economy, said the CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA, Mark McCullough. “The team looks forward to participating in the opportunities we have to give back to the community, and it’s been wonderful to help more people each year,” he added.  

Through Thursday, December 15, visitors to the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza at 50 West Washington can share the joy of the season and bring a new, unwrapped gift for donation or shop the market for an item to be donated to Toys for Tots. Team members from Gebrüder Weiss will be on hand in the Alpine-style timber tent to collect items. To spread even more holiday cheer, on Saturdays and Sundays only, through December 15, visitors that bring Toys for Tots donations to the Gebrüder Weiss booth will receive a $5 voucher to use on food or beverages at the market.

“Gebrüder Weiss is a family-owned organization with Austrian roots, so we’re delighted to once again sponsor the Christkindlmarket and help bring this unique German tradition to Chicago. In addition, by becoming a destination for Toys for Tots donations at the downtown market, we can take our support a step further and bring even more joy to the community,” said the CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA, Mark McCullough.

Toys and gifts can be donated daily during event hours at the Gebrüder Weiss booth inside the alpine-style timber tent in Daley Plaza at 50 West Washington. To spread even more holiday cheer, on Saturdays and Sundays only, through December 15, visitors that bring Toys for Tots donations to the Gebrüder Weiss booth will receive a $5 voucher to use on food or beverages at the market.

The Christkindlmarket Chicago is known as the original and most traditional market in the area. The free outdoor holiday markets host international and local vendors who display and sell handcrafted ornaments, toys, unique holiday gifts, traditional German foods, sweets, and beverages. The market is rich in cultural tradition and includes special events, entertainment, and fun activities for the whole family.

For more information on the event in Daley Plaza visit christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza/.

"As demand for custom international supply chain solutions continues to surge, and businesses' efforts to nearshore increase, we're dedicated to scaling our North American operations to efficiently meet our customers' needs," said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA.

To celebrate the grand opening of the new Gebrüder Weiss headquarters, the organization’s leadership team welcomed City of Wood Dale department heads and several of Wood Dale’s elected officials including Mayor Pulice. In addition, the Wood Dale Chamber of Commerce and the leadership team of Gullo International Development Corporation, the building’s architect and manager, participated in the official ribbon cutting.

“We are delighted to welcome Gebrüder Weiss USA to the city of Wood Dale and mark the occasion with a dedication plaque from the city,” said Mayor Pulice. “Bringing additional jobs to the area and services that will help improve the supply chain is very important to the economic health of our region,” he added.

Despite ongoing inflation and economic challenges, Gebrüder Weiss expects gains in retail, e-commerce, automotive, pharmaceutical, and high-tech industries. Sophisticated advancements in security concepts, digitalization, technical distribution, the flight to re-shoring or nearshoring, and the demand for continuous improvement in supply chain logistics are all driving growth.

"Events of the past few years, including the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have put exceptional pressure on our customers' supply chains," McCullough continued. "Our work is not merely shipping and freight forwarding; it's developing 360^o solutions across the supply chain, from warehousing to procurement to distribution to international security."

Globally, Gebrüder Weiss employs more than 8,000 people across 180 locations. As the world's longest-operating logistic organization, the organization is committed to maintaining its industry leadership position while growing responsibly with sustainable business practices across economic, environmental, and social pillars.

“Caring for the world’s water supply is critical, and we all have to play a role in protecting our waters – especially as supply chain professionals,” said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss USA. “When we learned about the opportunity to participate in Adopt-a-Beach cleanup and support International Coastal Cleanup Day right here in Chicago through the Alliance for the Great Lakes, our team sprang into action. I’m sure it will continue to be an annual tradition for our staff and their families.” 

At Gebrüder Weiss, sustainability means active responsibility. The company has been making waves through its environmentally friendly initiatives since the 1970s. It continues to lead the way with investments in wind farms and photovoltaic plants, corporate forests, alternative truck drives, and more. In addition, the company recently rolled out a zero emissions program to help its customers fully offset the CO2 emissions generated by shipments.

To learn more about employment opportunities at Gebrüder Weiss, visit www.gw-world.com/greatjobs

Gebrüder Weiss, an international transport and logistics company, is expanding its footprint in the Southwest region of the United States with the launch of a new location. An office site at 1520 Goodyear Drive in El Paso, Texas, is now open and actively hiring for positions. Leading the El Paso team as Director of Border Logistics US-MX will be industry veteran Antonio Acuña. The expanded Southwest presence is a strategic move to enhance customer access to areas of fast-growing population centers in the United States as well as support businesses as they rely heavily on nearshoring tactics to meet customers’ demands.  

“We have been planning to expand in the Southwest region for quite some time. For our strategy to be solid, we needed the right team of professionals,” said Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America. “Antonio is one of those rare industry experts who knows how to implement strategy and achieve goals no matter how seemingly insurmountable the obstacles. We are delighted to welcome such a respected professional to our border team.”

In 2021 the value of trade between the US and Mexico was $58.7 billion. As businesses explore ways to have more control of their supply chain and avoid incredibly high Transpacific freight rates, interest in nearshoring has grown. Mexico has again become a very attractive manufacturing partner for automotive businesses, appliance and steel manufacturers, and the garment industry. To respond to the growing need, Gebrüder Weiss has invested in the Southwest not just with its new location, but also through its domestic transport service expansion late in 2021, which now also provides Full Truckload services.

Companies around the world have been impacted by COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. This has led businesses to identify suppliers that are geographically closer to help reduce costs and be less affected by more complex logistics or economic uncertainties. Gebrüder Weiss is a family-owned global logistics and transport company that prides itself on anticipating the needs of its customers. The Southwest expansion addresses not only the growing population of the region, but also the need for reliable quality border logistics operations between the United States and Mexico.    

“Companies have learned that they must be agile and that they have to be able to adapt to survive in this precarious environment, said McCullough. “Having a logistics partner that you can trust and that is also well-positioned with a global network is paramount for a thriving company. We anticipated nearshoring, and we are ready to support our customers’ needs with expertise in cross-border logistics.