“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 Corporate Brand Strategy & 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, the vehicle itself is embarking on its journey by air freight, after a live presentation at the Gebrüder Weiss location in Wolfurt. After completing a final test drive in front of press representatives, the vehicle was prepared for air transport at the IATA-certified terminal.

Certification from the IATA (International Air Transport Association) means that the Air & Sea Terminal at Wolfurt is an officially recognized air freight terminal where shipments can be prepared for air transport in accordance with IATA standards – including special packaging, security checks, and all required inspection processes. The flight will then depart for Australia via Frankfurt Airport without any intermediate steps.

Upon arrival in Australia, the logistics experts at the new Gebrüder Weiss location in Adelaide will take charge of the next stage of the process: They will coordinate the import formalities and transport to the University of Adelaide.

The World Solar Challenge starts on August 24, 2025, and covers 3,000 kilometers across the Australian outback. First held in 1987, the race promotes innovation in the areas of sustainable mobility and renewable energies.

As a company with a history spanning over 500 years, Gebrüder Weiss is eager to play an active role in shaping the future of mobility. Since 2021, the company has been involved in relevant projects, working closely with universities, research teams, and start-ups. In addition to logistics, Gebrüder Weiss promotes exchange between project partners and raises the profile of forward-thinking ideas. The aim 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.

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.