Röhlig Achieves Strong Results in 2023 Thanks to New Customer Acquisition

Thanks to new customer acquisition and the correspondingly increased shipment volume, the owner-managed logistics company Röhlig Logistics achieved strong results in the 2023 financial year. As part of its ambitious growth strategy, the logistics service provider has significantly strengthened its profitability in its core business and advanced numerous projects.

(Bremen) Philip W. Herwig, Managing Partner at Röhlig Logistics, explains: “In a challenging market environment, we achieved an EBIT of around 20 million euros in 2023, contributed by all our core business areas: sea freight, air freight, and contract logistics. Given the normalization of global supply chains and the resulting decline in freight rates, the figures for the reporting year 2023 are understandably below the record results of 2021 and 2022. We quickly and flexibly adapted to the changing market conditions, thereby solidly expanding our results compared to pre-pandemic levels.”

Furthermore, Röhlig successfully completed its strategy program Blue Star at the end of 2023. As part of its ambitious growth strategy, the logistics service provider has significantly strengthened its profitability in its core business and advanced numerous projects. In addition to the consistent expansion of the product and service offerings, particular emphasis was placed on the continuous expansion of the global network and the further development of the digital service portfolio.

Positive Effects in Core Markets and Network Expansion

In the 2023 financial year, the generated gross profit was around 222 million euros. The core markets of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates contributed significantly to this. The country organizations in Mexico, Italy, and France also recorded very positive developments.

After extensive preparations in the 2022 financial year, Röhlig opened another Latin American core market in Brazil on January 1, 2023. With around 30 employees on-site, the company already has a strong commercial and operational setup. Additionally, Röhlig has expanded its global presence by opening a country organization in Japan with a branch in Osaka and strengthened it with new offices in Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, India, and Thailand.

In contract logistics, there were significant regional differences. Due to the ongoing demand for warehouse space in Southeast Asia and Oceania, Röhlig has significantly expanded its local capacities. Furthermore, the logistics company has successfully expanded its contract logistics business with Chile, Uruguay, and Thailand into three additional markets. Overall, Röhlig now has more than 40 warehouses and around 265,000 square meters of warehouse space worldwide.

Sales Team Expanded by 100 Employees

Hylton Gray, CEO Sea Freight, Air Freight, Contract Logistics & Sales at Röhlig Logistics, states: “Ongoing geopolitical risks and crisis hotspots, as well as market volatility, have characterized the past financial year and continue to pose a challenge. However, through the exploration of new markets and the acquisition of numerous new customers, we have successfully expanded our market position. Our investment in our sales team, which we have expanded by 100 employees, has contributed to this. Additionally, our increased focus on specific industries is paying off. Among other areas, we have strategically developed our competencies in automotive logistics and the increasingly important battery logistics, as well as in the healthcare and pharma sectors. Numerous network countries have received external certifications such as the IATA CEIV certificate for the transport of lithium batteries or the GDP certification for handling pharmaceutical products, which underscores our global expertise.”

People, Network, and Sales

“In addition to growth in our core business, we continue to focus on expanding our sales and digital competencies, continuously expanding our global network, and promoting our employees even in the currently weakened economic situation. This approach is also reflected in our new three-year strategy program #Connected for Growth, which is based on our three key success factors: People, Network, and Sales,” says Philip W. Herwig.

Photo: © Röhlig / Image Caption (l.r.): Ulrike Baum, Chief Human Resources Officer; Philip W. Herwig, Managing Partner and Chairman of the Global Executive Board; Hylton Gray, CEO Air Freight, Sea Freight, Contract Logistics & Sales; Dr. Robert Gutsche, Chief Financial Officer