Gebrüder Weiss has taken a majority stake in Sienzi Lojistik, a top provider of customs and warehouse logistics services in Istanbul. Operating as an independent entity, the company will now trade under the name Sienzi Lojistik – a Company of Gebrüder Weiss. The transaction is set to close in January 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Murat Doğan remains managing director of Sienzi Lojistik and continues to hold a stake in the company.

“This investment strengthens our foothold in the Turkish market and brings our partner’s customs warehousing expertise into the Gebrüder Weiss network on a long-term basis. It’s a strategic step to deliver integrated, one-stop logistics solutions for customers with demanding supply chain requirements,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss.

“Joining forces with Gebrüder Weiss, one of the industry’s most traditional logistics companies, enhances our competitive edge. This partnership allows us to broaden our service portfolio and promote Türkiye’s role in international trade,” adds Murat Doğan, who also serves as Vice President of the Turkish Customs Warehouse Association.

Gebrüder Weiss and Sienzi Lojistik have been working together in Türkiye for nearly a decade. The company’s bonded warehouse plays a key role in handling imports, exports, and transshipment operations. “We can store goods until customs duties are cleared or transit procedures are completed and consolidate shipments from various countries of origin. This solution offers greater flexibility, cost efficiency, and planning reliability for companies with complex logistics needs,” says Mişel Yakop, Country Manager Türkiye at Gebrüder Weiss.

With this acquisition, Gebrüder Weiss is strengthening its Istanbul hub as a full-service logistics center and exploring new business segments, including textiles and industrial clients. “Istanbul’s location—at the crossroads of Europe and Asia—makes it a strategic gateway to numerous markets. We see significant growth opportunities in this region,” says Thomas Moser, Director and Regional Manager Black Sea/CIS at Gebrüder Weiss.

About Sienzi Lojistik
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Istanbul, Sienzi Lojistik specializes in customs and warehouse logistics. The company has 42 employees and operates a bonded warehouse with a permanent license near Muratbey Customs Office—one of Türkiye’s largest customs hubs. Its state-of-the-art logistics site includes:

-       6,000 square meters of enclosed bonded warehouse space

-       1,000 square meters of open bonded storage

-       A high-bay warehouse with capacity for 5,000 pallets

-       6,000 square meters of enclosed logistics space

-       15,000 square meters of open storage space

-       1,000 square meters of office space

Independent Charging Infrastructure
With public charging options for e-trucks still limited, Gebrüder Weiss has built its own charging and power supply system in Lauterach. Two transformer stations with a capacity of 1,600 kVA, each power up to 16 fast-charging points, eight of which are already in service. The electricity is sourced either from the company’s own photovoltaic system or from certified renewable energy.

An additional benefit of the company’s proprietary charging infrastructure: vehicles can recharge while being loaded or unloaded, eliminating downtime. “Our customers expect reliability and on-time delivery even with zero-emission transports,” says Stefan Oberhauser, Branch Manager of Land Transport & Logistics Vorarlberg at Gebrüder Weiss. “With our dedicated energy supply and the latest vehicle solutions, we can deliver sustainable road transport at scale.”

To ensure nationwide routes can also be planned independently of external charging networks, Gebrüder Weiss is currently installing additional charging stations at its facilities in Vienna, Hall in Tyrol, Altenrhein (Switzerland), and Aldingen (Germany).

By the end of 2025, the company’s Austrian e-truck fleet will have grown by a total of 14 e-trucks, five of which will be based in Lauterach. Beyond that, Gebrüder Weiss will continue to invest in e-mobility: in 2026, the company plans to expand its fleet with additional e-trucks and electric vans for home delivery operations.

Gebrüder Weiss is welcoming its new logistics apprentices in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland: One hundred young women and men have chosen to pursue their vocational training with the international logistics company and are starting their first year today. An additional 14 apprentices had already joined the company in the first half of 2025.

“As an independent, family-owned business with a solid financial foundation, we offer young people stable career opportunities in a modern, future-focused environment. We are committed to continuity, but also to innovation, digital technologies, and sustainable growth,” says Monika Mandl, Head of Human Resources Development at Gebrüder Weiss. “This combination appeals particularly to young people who value progress and sustainability just as much as security and reliability.”

The company’s strategy is validated by a 2024 employee survey across Europe: 85 percent consider Gebrüder Weiss the right employer, while 78 percent say they are proud to be part of the organization.

For more than 80 years, Gebrüder Weiss has been investing in vocational training—an important measure to address the shortage of skilled labor and to secure long-term success. The goal is to retain young talent after they complete their apprenticeships and further develop them into qualified specialists and future leaders. The many internal career success stories at Gebrüder Weiss demonstrate that this approach works.

Currently, the logistics company employs 307 apprentices across 40 locations in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), about 35 percent of whom are female. An additional 32 young people are undergoing training with the company in Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria.

Although the apprenticeship year has already started and most positions have been filled, Gebrüder Weiss may still open additional opportunities later this year.

Further information on apprenticeship programs at Gebrüder Weiss is available at: https://www.gw-world.com/lehre

ETH Zurich’s aCentauri Solar Racing Team finished the World Solar Challenge in Australia in 11th place out of a total of 28 teams in the “Challenger” class. The students covered the approximately 3,000-kilometre route from Darwin to Adelaide in six days, facing consistently challenging weather and road conditions during the Australian winter. Once again, Gebrüder Weiss served as the team’s official logistics partner. 

“Placing 11th shows how well the team handled the challenges of this year’s race – a great achievement,” says Tracy van Arend, Branch Manager 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 will also handle 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 the third day 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. 

At the end of September, Kiel-based water sports enthusiast and environmental activist Michael Walther will embark on an extraordinary mission: to become the first European to cross the Atlantic Ocean solo and unsupported on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). While he’ll be alone on the water, he won’t be alone on land – logistics provider Gebrüder Weiss is supporting the journey as the project’s official logistics partner.

The logistics specialists at Gebrüder Weiss’s Hamburg 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 around 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 cycled, Gebrüder Weiss funds the removal of one metric ton of ocean plastic. Since the campaign’s launch in April 2025, six tons 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/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. 

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. It has close foreign trade relations with the USA, China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, among others – all countries in which Gebrüder Weiss has an operational presence. In 2024, the country achieved an export volume of around 73 billion US dollars, while imports totaled just under 135 billion US dollars. 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.

International logistics company Gebrüder Weiss welcomes a new cohort of apprentices, with 110 individuals in their early career starting their training across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is encouraging to see that the number of apprentices has stayed more or less the same (2023: 105). Most of the apprenticeship places available have been filled, while a further 20 could still be taken up during the course of the year.

“We offer these young men and women a stimulating educational experience that not only enables them to familiarize themselves with the basic principles of the transport and logistics industry, but also gives them plenty of impetus to spur them on in their careers,” explains Monika Mandl, Head of Human Resources Development at Gebrüder Weiss. “As well as teaching them specialist knowledge, our aim is to support these apprentices in their personal development and help to uncover and explore hidden potential.”

The company supports professional development in a number of ways, including through targeted efforts to encourage trainees to participate in apprentice and vocational competitions.  Up-and-coming logistics experts have taken advantage of these opportunities in years past with very positive results. In 2024, one freight forwarding apprentice from Gebrüder Weiss Austria became the only representative from her specialist area to qualify for the prestigious WorldSkills international competition for professionals, which will take place in Lyon, France, this fall.

Gebrüder Weiss offers its apprentices opportunities beyond just training. By working their way through various departments, they gain well-rounded insights into the different areas of activity in the logistics sector and benefit from the knowledge of more experienced colleagues. They can also use the extensive range of internal continuing education courses available. “There are so many options for ambitious apprentices to enjoy a successful career at Gebrüder Weiss after completing their training,” says Mandl.

Overall, Gebrüder Weiss employs 326 apprentices at 41 locations in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, and around 40 percent are women. Another 26 young people are also currently training with the company in Bulgaria and Serbia.

In Austria, the logistics company also offers a shortened training program through its “Duale Akademie” (“Dual Academy”) for trainees who have already completed a secondary school and want to pursue a career as a freight forwarding agent or a company logistics agent.

Find out more about training at Gebrüder Weiss at https://www.gw-world.com/lehre

The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss announces a five-year partnership with the prestigious Shanghai Maritime University (SMU). The company is giving students opportunities to gain practical insights into the logistics industry and also helping them get their careers off the ground. 

Gebrüder Weiss is committed to promoting up-and-coming talent in China’s higher education system and this joint program focuses on enabling knowledge transfer and career development. Through summer internships, students from the University’s College of Transport and Communications have the chance to gain first-hand experience in supply chain management.

“This means students can build up valuable practical experience and get to know all the different areas involved in logistics even while they’re studying,” explains Yongquan Chen, General Manager China at Gebrüder Weiss.

The company also incorporates its own industry expertise into the program. Through guest lectures and courses, for example, Yongquan Chen passes on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of supply chain managers.

“We teach the students about trends and developments in the logistics industry. At the same time, we help them make a start in their career journey, possibly even at Gebrüder Weiss,” says Chen. “This gives them a better understanding of the career prospects and challenges in the fast-paced world of logistics.”

Two SMU students have already started their internship at Gebrüder Weiss. They are discovering the full range of services that the company offers in China, from managing air, sea, and land transport to imports and exports, e-commerce, warehouse logistics, and supply chain management - everything that goes into organizing supply chains from start to finish. With 19 locations across China, Gebrüder Weiss operates as a partner for international industrial and commercial enterprises in the country’s key economic hubs.

Alexander Eberharter (44) has taken over the management of the West region of the international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss on August 1, succeeding Hannes Mayr (65), who is retiring after 41 years with the company. Mayr, who was born in Tyrol, can look back on an impressive career with the logistics company. After joining the company in 1983, he held various management positions in Tyrol, before being appointed Regional Manager West and then Director in 2028. At Gebrüder Weiss, the West region comprises the Austrian states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol, as well as Switzerland. Salzburg and Carinthia were added to this region at the beginning of 2024.

“Hannes Mayr and his team have made a significant contribution to the success of Gebrüder Weiss in our home region. Thanks to his commitment and professionalism, we continue to be the number one logistics partner for the majority of industrial and commercial companies,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss, in recognition of Hannes Mayr’s work. It was not only the international consignors in the West region that benefited from his forwarding and logistics expertise. As chairman of the examination board for forwarding agents, he passed on his knowledge to generations of apprentices for decades. For many years, Mayr also championed the interests of the industry in the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce as Chairman of the Freight Forwarding and Logistics Section.

His successor, Alexander Eberharter, has been with Gebrüder Weiss for 27 years. After holding various management positions at the Gebrüder Weiss site in Hall in Tyrol, he took over as branch manager in Nuremberg in 2017 and was subsequently put in charge of the logistics company’s strategic business development in Germany. He is now responsible for 1,100 employees at 25 logistics locations, six of which will be expanded in the coming years: Pratteln near Basel, Wolfurt in Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Hall and Langkampfen in Tyrol, and Maria Saal in Carinthia.

“The local economies in the western region are very different, but they do have one thing in common: industrial and commercial companies need a logistics provider nearby that gives them access to a global transportation network with high quality standards. We meet this need by tailoring the services of each branch specifically to the needs of regional consignors and integrating them into our global network,” Eberharter explains.

The start of July saw Thomas Niederer (51) step into his new role as Switzerland’s Country Manager for Land Transport at the international transport and logistics company, Gebrüder Weiss. He succeeds Oskar Kramer (64) who is retiring after some 45 years with the company. “Oskar Kramer’s many decades of hard work and dedication have been pivotal in making our company the success it is today, especially in Switzerland. Over recent years he has made a significant impact for us, initially as Branch Manager and more recently as Country Manager Land Transport,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Gebrüder Weiss, praising Kramer’s service to the company. Kramer has also demonstrated outstanding dedication to the needs of the industry in Eastern Switzerland through his role as Section President of Spedlogswiss, the association of Swiss forwarding and logistics companies, since 2011.

His successor Thomas Niederer has been with the company for some 28 years. His most recent role was as Finance and Accounting Manager West, a position with close links to the national subsidiary. Over the past 15 years, he has been a key player in Gebrüder Weiss’ expansion into Germany, Asia, North America, and his new charge of Switzerland.

“Oskar Kramer leaves us a country organization that is excellently positioned to grow still further,” says Niederer. “I’m looking forward to this new challenge and to working together with the team to continue Gebrüder Weiss’ success story in Switzerland.” The subsidiary is already aiming for new heights: The Pratteln location near Basel is due to be expanded with an automatic high-bay warehouse.

The Alpine republic has been a key market for Gebrüder Weiss for over 130 years. Today, its 220 staff offer all-round solutions covering transport, warehouse, contract, and shipping logistics from its Land Transport locations in Pratteln and Altenrhein on the banks of Lake Constance, and from Zurich for all Air & Sea services.

The municipality of Wolfurt in Vorarlberg / Austria has given the green light for construction work to begin on Gebrüder Weiss’ IT and logistics center at the Wolfurt industrial park. The decision was made at the local council meeting held on April 9. “I am delighted that we have all the necessary permits, and we can now press on with construction work,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss. He continues: “This state-of-the-art IT and logistics location will be just perfect for our employees and customers: not only will it bring our IT teams closer together, but the location’s proximity to the Wolfurt freight terminal means we will also be able to combine transport modes more efficiently, moving them onto rail tracks and shortening transport times. This will translate into greater security of supply for our customers in terms of materials and goods, which in turn will have a positive effect for other businesses both in Vorarlberg and the wider region.”

More jobs in Wolfurt
A high-bay warehouse and a manual warehouse with an adjacent office building for the logistics company’s IT department are being built over 30,000 square meters on Senderstrasse in Wolfurt. The local council’s zoning plans were already approved during Wolfurt’s local council meeting on January 24. 'Gebrüder Weiss’ IT and logistics location is of great importance for the development of the “Hohe Brücke” industrial park and will create more high-quality jobs in the market town of Wolfurt. The proximity to the goods station is of course ideal,” says Mayor Angelika Moosbrugger enthusiastically.

Long-term planning
“Our IT teams are currently based in Kennelbach. However, capacities both there and in Lauterach have reached their limit, which is why we want to create a location that offers long-term growth potential. After the move, about 300 people will be employed in IT and about 50 in logistics. We are planning and building for the future, which is why we are already creating space for more jobs now,” explains Stefan Oberhauser, Branch Manager Land & Logistics Vorarlberg at Gebrüder Weiss.

Space-saving construction
To make the best possible use of land resources, the building is to be constructed in a way that conserves space: one building complex will reach a total height of 25 meters, consisting of a 4,500-square-meter logistics warehouse on top of which a three-storey office building is planned. This enables the available space to be used twice. A 34-meter-high high-bay warehouse with space for 68,000 pallets is being built adjacent to that. There are plans to include a photovoltaic system, a green roof and charging stations for electric trucks and cars to reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability in its buildings. The logistics company has also chosen to dispense with large parking lots, instead relying on incentives for employees to use local public transport.

Securing the Vorarlberg location
“Although the general business climate is less than favorable at present, we are nevertheless investing in the region to secure our business activities for the future – as logistics providers we are one of the first to feel an economic downturn. This investment is possible because we have managed our business sustainably and are therefore in a healthy financial position,” emphasizes Wolfram Senger-Weiss. The nearby rail connection was decisive for the choice of location. The project is due to be completed by the end of 2025.

Factbox “Hohe Brücke” Wolfurt IT and logistics center:

The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss ended its 2023 fiscal year with a net revenue of 2.47 billion euros (2022: 3 billion euros). Despite this decline, the company remains above its growth trend seen between 2015 and 2020. The coronavirus-related effects of the two previous years did not persist in 2023. At 774 million euros, net revenue in the Air & Sea business area subsequently returned to levels seen in previous years. Given the higher freight rates shipping lines and airlines charged, Gebrüder Weiss generated 1.27 billion euros in this segment in the previous year. Revenue was also stable in the Land Transport and Logistics business areas at 1.45 billion euros (2022: 1.48 billion euros), with declining energy and fuel prices. The equity ratio increased to 63 percent (2022: 60 percent), ensuring the company’s ability to handle crises and positioning it as an ideal employer.

“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).

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.”

“This is the second time that we are supporting the Austrian Space Forum with our transport and logistics expertise. We consider it important to participate in shaping the future of mobility and to also enable our employees to experience the same up close. As the world’s oldest transport and logistics company, we feel a commitment in this respect,” says Jürgen Bauer, member of the Management Board of Gebrüder Weiss.

AMADEE-24 is the most complex Mars Analog Mission to date. During the dress rehearsal, the OeWF tests to ensure that both the astronauts and equipment are fit for a one-month mission in complete isolation. Last weekend, visitors enjoyed a live experience, watching how scientists work, seeing how difficult it is to put on a spacesuit, and what an astronaut’s watch needs to be like to withstand the extreme conditions prevailing in outer space.

“This dress rehearsal is very important to us. It shows us where we stand at the moment, and what still needs to be done before we start the actual simulation in Armenia early in March. The high interest on the part of visitors and the support provided by Gebrüder Weiss offer us some tailwind for the most complex mission that we have carried out so far,” Gernot Grömer, Director of the OeWF, comments on AMADEE-24.

The one-month Mars simulation will take place in the desert region around Armash, Armenia, in March. Logistics plays an important role in implementing the project. Gebrüder Weiss will bring the sensitive equipment from Maria Lanzendorf to Armenia, taking care of safely packing spacesuits, rovers and drones, as well as managing customs clearance and delivery of the goods. This challenging Mission highlights the logistics company’s expertise in the field of special transports, as well as its extensive know-how in the Caucasus region. Gebrüder Weiss has its own locations in Georgia and Armenia that cooperate closely with Viennese colleagues on the AMADEE-24 Mission.

“We have assembled a team of experts from all three countries for this pioneering mission. They are going to treat the two sea freight containers like spaceships, bringing them safely to the mission site and back,” says Franco Ravazzolo, Department Manager Projects & Break Bulk at Gebrüder Weiss.

The trip from Austria via Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Türkiye and Georgia to the final destination in the Armenian desert of Armash is starting this week. The transport back in May will also be handled by Gebrüder Weiss. 

You can find video footage of the event in the sidebar on the right. Information about the Mars Analog Mission AMADEE-24 will be posted on the logistics expert’s social media channels regularly.

Gebrüder Weiss is expanding its network in Australia with the opening of a new Air & Sea office in Brisbane. This is now the third location operated by the international logistics company in Australia, following on from Sydney and Melbourne. The most important transhipment hub in Brisbane is the container port, which plays an important role in international trade with a record throughput of 1.56 million standard containers (2022).

“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 so as to provide blanket coverage for the whole continent. The logistics provider also has a foothold in New Zealand with two locations in Auckland and Christchurch, complementing its presence in Australia.

Coffee manufacturer Atinkana pursues a vision of sustainability: in the long run, they want to restore the original structure of the virgin forest in Colombia and make the soil more fertile. The Swiss company is financing its project in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada by growing coffee, cocoa and a variety of fruits. The plants are cultivated in a natural cycle, with hardly any emissions being produced thanks to manual harvesting and processing. For every kilo of coffee sold by Atinkana, the company plants two trees in Colombia. In order to make the 8,500-kilometer transport to Europe as sustainable as possible, Atinkana relies on particularly eco-friendly means of transport: the coffee beans are transported by sailing ships across the Atlantic to Amsterdam, then by truck to Antwerp and subsequently by rail to Basel. From there, Gebrüder Weiss delivers them to the coffee roasting plant using its hydrogen truck.

“Thanks to the cooperation with our innovative logistics partners Fairtransport and Gebrüder Weiss, we are able to cover 98 % of the route from Colombia to Switzerland by sustainable means of transport. This makes our coffee almost as sustainable as a regional product in Europe,” says Andre Conte, logistics manager at Atinkana. It takes two sailing ships about 10 weeks to transport the coffee to Europe. Thus, 14 tons of coffee are transported to Switzerland once a year.

Apart from reforestation of the virgin forest, Atinkana sets high standards in other areas as well. They pay higher wages to their coffee farmers than other companies. For each kilogram of coffee sold, eight dollars remain in the country – five for the coffee beans, three for reforestation. This corresponds to around 22 percent of the revenue. It is mainly the Colombians who are meant to benefit from the profit.

Oskar Kramer, Country Manager Switzerland at Gebrüder Weiss, is fascinated by the project: “Atinkana’s eco-friendly approach in terms of production and logistics is a perfect fit for Gebrüder Weiss. For many years, we have been investing in alternative drive technologies for trucks and pursuing the objective of making transport as sustainable as possible. Using our hydrogen truck to deliver the coffee, we provide for zero emission last mile delivery in Switzerland.” For more than two years, Gebrüder Weiss has been successfully using its hydrogen (H₂) truck for local transport in Switzerland. The company plans to deploy another three H₂ trucks in Germany by 2024.

The logistics company has recently acquired the Bayreuth-based forwarding company Wedlich, thus assuming the important role of logistics partner for Upper Franconian companies. “So, it was clear for us to get involved with the soccer club as well. We have a lot in common with this traditional club called ‘Oldschdod’ by the locals: team play, speed, precision and, above all, the joy of moving. We look forward to supporting all teams and wish them a successful season,” said Dettenthaler when signing the contract in Bayreuth. In addition to the men’s first soccer team, the logistics company will also support the youth and women’s teams of SpVgg Bayreuth.

“The history of the soccer club spans more than a hundred years, like that of our new sponsor, Gebrüder Weiss. Top performance thanks to passionate commitment and the skillful interaction of professionals – that is a good match, whether on the soccer field or on the transport routes,” added Jörg Schmalfuß at the contract signing event.

Soon, the orange GW logo will appear not only on the soccer jerseys, but also on the fences and the grandstand of the Hans-Walter-Wild stadium. Gebrüder Weiss has nine locations in southern Germany and, in addition to professional soccer, also sponsors cycling, running and volleyball teams.

Werner Dettenthaler, Managing Director Land Transport Germany at Gebrüder Weiss, has known the company for many years and is a firm believer of its service quality: “Wedlich has an excellent reputation as a logistics provider and has deep roots in the Upper Franconia region. It is the perfect addition to our operations in northern Bavaria with its logistics, transport and relocation services, along with the expertise of its employees.” The company will operate in Bayreuth from August 1, 2023, as Gebrüder Weiss – Transport and Logistics and complement the Bavarian locations in Nuremberg, Straubing, Passau, Memmingen and Waldkraiburg.

The forwarding company Wedlich was founded in 1946 and has up to now been owned by the family of the same name. Managing Director Christian Wedlich: “With Gebrüder Weiss, we have found the perfect new owner. Just like Gebrüder Weiss, we focus on the needs of our customers, train our own employees, and are committed to sustainability. As a subsidiary of Gebrüder Weiss, we offer our customers the entire range of services of a global logistics company, and our employees benefit from attractive development opportunities.”

Wedlich operates a modern logistics facility in Bayreuth with a handling and storage area of 15,000 m², as well as another 15,000 m² in nearby Bad Berneck. The company meets its energy needs via its own photovoltaic system installed on the logistics terminal. The system produces 700 megawatt hours of electricity per year, making it the largest photovoltaic system of its kind in Bayreuth at present.

The acquisition of Wedlich is part of an overall strategy in which Gebrüder Weiss is gradually consolidating its network in southern Germany. It was only recently that the logistics company took over B+A Luft- und Seefrachtspedition in Nuremberg. In addition to Bayreuth, nine other locations are part of the Gebrüder Weiss land transport network in southern Germany: Aldingen, Altensteig, Esslingen, Lindau, Memmingen, Nuremberg, Passau, Straubing and Waldkraiburg.

“Our location in Bratislava, which we expanded two years ago, has played a major role in this success. The additional warehousing and handling capacities have improved our efficiency in handling shipments and strengthened our position in the field of warehouse logistics ,” says René Stranz, Country Manager Gebrüder Weiss Slovakia.

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Gebrüder Weiss has continuously expanded its network in Central and Eastern Europe and is now one of the leading logistics companies in South-Eastern Europe. The company has established a strong presence in Slovakia and is one of the country’s top logistics providers with more than 200 employees at four locations.

Located at the heart of the Gebrüder Weiss network in Europe, Slovakia acts as a central logistics hub with direct transport links to neighboring countries and to South-Eastern Europe. This offers numerous advantages for the company’s international customers, especially from the high-tech and automotive industries.

Looking ahead, Gebrüder Weiss plans to continue its course of growth in Slovakia. A new warehouse was recently put into operation in Dolný Hričov and there are plans to further expand the Bratislava location. It is also planned to further develop the digital customer portal myGW and promote sustainability measures, such as the use of e-vans and the installation of a photovoltaic system in Bratislava.

By appointing Wolfgang Niessner as Supervisory Board chairman, Gebrüder Weiss can count on an individual with outstanding leadership credentials, and a long and extremely successful career in the logistics industry. Wolfgang Niessner, Gebrüder Weiss CEO since 2005, led the company through an era marked by consistent internationalization and economic success, until he handed over operational management to Wolfram Senger-Weiss at the end of 2018. He was appointed to the Supervisory Board in 2019.

The outgoing Supervisory Board chairman, Dr. Rudolf Christian Stiehl, has made a significant contribution to the success of Gebrüder Weiss during his long tenure. The company would like to express its sincere thanks to Dr. Stiehl for his contribution and wishes him all the best for the future.