Data-Driven Logistics Processes as a Success Factor in eFood
20. March 2022
Diverse Supporting Program at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2022
20. March 2022Delivering fresh fruits and vegetables nationwide to supermarkets on time; that is the core business of TRANSAC Logistics GmbH from Rülzheim in the southern Palatinate. The operation must function nearly around the clock on all 365 days, with no exceptions even on holidays like Christmas. TRANSAC offers its customers all transport and logistics services related to fruits and vegetables.
(Rülzheim) Consumers want fresh fruits and vegetables daily, and what lies fresh on the shelves requires significant logistical effort behind the scenes. TRANSAC Logistics GmbH from Rülzheim in the Palatinate is one of the logistics service providers specializing in the logistics and transport of fruits and vegetables, and has been doing so for over 30 years. For the distribution of goods, 14 own vehicles and numerous contractors are available. Daily, between 30 to 40 trucks leave the warehouse in Rülzheim.
Goods that have been picked up or delivered from abroad, mostly from Spain, but also from France, Italy, or from within Germany or the nearby region, are checked, sorted, and distributed to markets across Germany in the modern cold storage facility. “To meet these demands, our warehouse operates 24/7 on all 365 days, even on holidays. Christmas 2021 was even the busiest day of the entire year, more than on regular days,” explains Wolfgang Hoffmann, Managing Director of TRANSAC.
Expansion of logistics space by an additional 5,000 square meters
For the handling, inspection, and order picking of fruits and vegetables, a cold storage facility with an area of 4,500 m2 and 6 different temperature zones is available in Rülzheim. Due to growth in recent years, TRANSAC secured an area of 15,000 m2, directly adjacent to the existing company property. There, around 5,200 m2 of storage and handling space will be added.
On 4,500 m2, TRANSAC picks fruits and vegetables 365 days a year. Additional areas will be added starting in 2022
Change in management to Wolfgang Hoffmann
At the top of TRANSAC, there was a change at the end of the year. Gerold Hohwieler handed over the management after 3 years in office to Wolfgang Hoffmann, who joined the company on October 1, 2021. “My early entry ensured a smooth transition and I had a good onboarding period,” explains Hoffmann.
Since the beginning of the year, he has been solely responsible. Hoffmann: “We started the new year well. We are still in the peak season, which lasts from around mid-October into the summer.” TRANSAC is well positioned and has been able to grow further in recent years. However, this does not lead Hoffmann to rest: “The company must continue to be oriented towards the future. This includes new businesses as well as further strengthening the employees, and it is also part of my job to continually question processes and workflows and optimize costs.”
The employees have been at the center of TRANSAC since its founding, and this has remained the case to this day. “These are not just empty phrases for us; this is lived at our company. For example, I introduced that everyone here, from the boss to the trainee, addresses each other by first name and informally,” explains Hoffmann about part of the company culture. In addition, attention is also paid to good workplace equipment, whether in the office, in the warehouse, or in the vehicles. Training is also valued at TRANSAC. Due to the increased procedural requirements, Hoffmann could also envision a place for dual studies in the future.
Looking to overseas for new customers
On the customer side, Hoffmann wants to increasingly focus on further foreign markets: “I see a possibility with fruit and vegetable producers overseas, without neglecting the established supply markets. Whether we handle trucks or containers makes no difference to us. The containers could be delivered to us on the water at the nearby Rhine ports of Germersheim or Wörth. Ideal conditions, therefore.” Hoffmann sees a good opportunity to look for potential new customers from overseas at the upcoming FRUIT LOGISTICA trade fair, which takes place from April 5 to 7, 2022, in Berlin. Through new acquisitions, Hoffmann also wants to cushion the typically weaker summer and thus mitigate seasonal fluctuations.
Hoffmann also has an eye on e-commerce. “With the new areas, e-commerce could also become a topic. It is not at the forefront yet, but the sector is also growing in the fresh area and needs to be kept in mind. The structures for this are definitely in place at our company,” looks Hoffmann to the future.
About TRANSAC
At TRANSAC Logistics GmbH, 45 employees work at the location in Rülzheim in the southern Palatinate, of which 14 are in the commercial sector, while the others work in the warehouse and as drivers. As highlighted in the new image video from TRANSAC, they place value on good treatment of employees. Since September 2019, TRANSAC has been training freight forwarding merchants and starting in summer 2022, also specialists for warehouse logistics.
The core business is the logistics and transport of fruits and vegetables. For this, an area of 4,500 m2 is available at the headquarters in Rülzheim and 14 own vehicles for distribution throughout Germany.
All photos: © TRANSAC
Wolfgang Hoffmann, has been the Managing Director of TRANSAC Logistics GmbH since October 1, 2021 (formerly Transac Internationale Speditionsgesellschaft mbH).
Since 1985, he has been active in international freight forwarding and logistics, with leadership positions since 1995. He is a trained industrial clerk and has a completed degree in business administration.
