Transac Focuses on High-Quality Fresh Logistics for Fruits and Vegetables

Transac Transport + Logistics from Rülzheim (Rhineland-Palatinate) focuses on logistics and transport services for fresh and refrigerated products. In addition to these two sectors, express transports and special trips by appointment are now also offered, sometimes with two-man crews.

By Andreas Müller

(Rülzheim) The logistics service provider Transac, an international freight forwarding company based in Rülzheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, has focused on fresh and refrigerated logistics since its founding 30 years ago. Extensive services are offered in both storage and transportation.

From the beginning, the transport of fruits and vegetables has been the core business of Transac. To a currently expandable extent, dairy products are also handled and distributed. What started with pure transport services has today evolved into a complex service covering all logistics tasks. The warehouse logistics has a usable area of 4,000 m2. Here, incoming goods from various clients, about two-thirds of which are delivered from Spain and the rest picked up from the local area, are picked and distributed throughout Germany. In 2014, a new refrigerated warehouse was built that meets the latest requirements of the cold chain.

For distribution in Germany, there is a dedicated fleet of 14 refrigerated vehicles and a refrigerated sprinter, as well as nearly 100 vehicles from contract partners, all of which meet the requirements for refrigerated transport. In 2019, all of the company’s own vehicles were replaced, and they comply with the latest EURO 6 standard. In the coming June, an LNG truck from Iveco will also be tested to gain experience with this promising fuel (Liquefied Natural Gas).

Regarding seasonal utilization, Managing Director Gerold Hohwieler states: “Due to the fact that the goods from Spain are in season from October to mid-year and our products from Germany from June to autumn, we achieve a fairly constant utilization of both our warehouse and our fleet.”

Thanks to the fact that the food supply chain has not been interrupted in either procurement or supply, Transac has managed very well through this difficult Corona period. The core business of logistics and transport of fresh food, especially fruits and vegetables, has proven to be a stroke of luck.

To diversify slightly from the core business, about two years ago, they began to establish a division for express transports. “Initially, the requests mainly came from our established business, but more and more other orders are coming in. Of course, we are somewhat limited with our articulated trucks for one or another potential client, but we score points with our flexibility and reliability,” explains Gerold Hohwieler.

To further advance differentiation and secure the future, they are keeping an eye out for additional areas to consistently expand the logistics service sector. Hohwieler states: “On the one hand, we see the possibility of growing in our core area with fruits, vegetables, and other refrigerated products, but we are also open to other product groups.” He envisions a doubling of the existing areas and could also imagine stepping into the pharmaceutical or frozen food sectors.

In addition, they plan to offer transport activities in trade logistics, meaning the supply of markets from the distribution centers. Initial promising steps have already been initiated.

Transac places great importance on compliance with standards, as evidenced by various certificates, including one for the storage and transport of organic products. They also pay attention to environmental concerns by installing a photovoltaic system on the roof of the building in Rülzheim. This is expected to be operational by August 2020 and cover around 80% of their own electricity needs.

Transac employs 45 staff members, 14 of whom work in administration, while the others are in the warehouse and as drivers. As highlighted in Transac’s new image video, they value good treatment of employees. Starting in September, Transac will also train freight forwarding merchants.

Photos: © Transac

Image captions (from top to bottom): Title image: Transac warehouse back with ramps / Image 2: Refrigerated truck from Transac / Image 3: Transac Managing Director Gerold Hohwieler / Image 4: Transac warehouse front with offices

www.transac.de