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10. November 2020In spring, VTL Vernetzte-Transport-Logistik GmbH launched the comprehensive future project ‘VTL Next’. With this initiative, the groupage cooperation aims to set the course for a realignment and transform VTL into a more modern and attractive network with a wide range of logistics services. An initial interim report now shows: The efforts of the past months have paid off.
(Fulda) – “Since the kick-off in April, we have made great strides, so we can now showcase initial successes,” says VTL Managing Director Johanna Birkhan. The groupage cooperation has expanded its portfolio with an online transport cost calculator, targeting small businesses, traders, and shop operators. In just three steps, customers can professionally and securely ship their goods. The advantage: “Customers can obtain a price quote without prior registration,” explains Birkhan. The new freight cost calculator was integrated into the VTL website at the beginning of November.
To utilize the professional VTL transport service in groupage format, customers simply enter their data online and quickly receive a current price. Now the customer decides: If they accept the offer, they can seamlessly continue the booking process by entering their contact details. Only the final payment process is left, and the transport process is initiated. “The freight cost calculator is an in-house development in collaboration with our IT service provider itRessort, allowing us to remain flexible in responding to the needs of customers and partners as well as market demands in the future,” says Birkhan.
Everything in View
To optimize processes, VTL has also launched another digital innovation: the ETA main run calculation. This now allows for easy display of the estimated arrival time of trucks at the HUB Fulda or at the depots. The advantage: On-site employees can plan processes even better. For this information, drivers log into an app that incorporates location data as well as current traffic and weather conditions. A live preview then shows the exact arrival time of the trucks. In the next expansion phase, VTL plans to enhance the offering with a telematics solution, enabling even more precise calculations.
“With united efforts, we have already achieved a lot in the last six months. However, we are still far from the finish line,” says VTL Managing Director Andreas Jäschke. Now it is important to stay on track and continue the path taken consistently – even if there may be one or another hurdle to overcome.
About VTL
VTL was founded in 1998 and is a leading groupage cooperation and provider of Europe-wide logistics solutions. Based in Fulda, VTL connects over 120 medium-sized cargo companies into a comprehensive and intelligent transport service supported by state-of-the-art IT.
The cooperation benefits from the good collaboration of its approximately 140 employees in Fulda and the solidarity among all system partners. The central HUB in Fulda and the regional HUBs North and West are connected with fast direct services and transport the groupage goods in 24/48-hour cycles overnight.
With the system partners “on-site”, VTL offers the individual service of a regional provider, plus Europe-wide logistics solutions from a comprehensive network. Thus, a wide range of regional services in more than 39 countries forms a comprehensive supply chain offering.
Quality, trust, helpfulness, and fairness are the most important success factors of the network.
With 1.3 million shipments and a total weight of around 491,292 tons, the cooperation achieved a turnover of 64.8 million euros in 2019.
Image: © Vernetzte-Transport-Logistik GmbH
