Felix for future
A family firm turning 70. The firm Felix Transport was founded as W. Felix Transporte in Zwingen (Switzerland) in 1952. Since 1976, Hanspeter Felix has worked in the company founded by his father Walter. Now he is handing over the reins to his children, the third generation to run the business.
Felix Transport, originally founded as a small Swiss haulage enterprise in 1952, has developed into a medium-sized transport and logistics company in the meantime. Hanspeter Felix, the enterprise’s former managing director and still its chairman of the board of directors, recently handed over the management of his life’s work to his children Fabian (aged 31) and Manuela (28 years old), both members of the board of directors, on the occasion of the company’s 70th anniversary, celebrated with around 600 guests in Arlesheim. Fabian has taken over as managing director, while Manuela is in charge of transport administration.
An interview with Felix Transport managing director Fabian Felix.
What in your opinion are the most important tasks in your new role, Fabian Felix?
Energy / fuel procurement, especially electricity and diesel, are high on the list of priorities. In spring 2022, we had a solar system installed on the roof of our facility in Arlesheim, with which we cover 60% of the site’s total electricity requirements.
In addition, we’re evaluating alternative drive technologies for trucks and preparing the charging / tank infrastructure (LNG, electricity). We already have three vehicles with alternative drives.
Felix Transport acquired two new Volvo FH LNG tractor units powered by liquefied natural gas in May. What have your experiences been with them so far?
The drivers are very satisfied with the vehicles, which we mainly use for exports from Switzerland to southern Germany. LNG vehicles emit 20% less CO2 and are quieter. Unfortunately, there are only three refuelling stations in Switzerland, so our drivers have to plan much better in advance when refuelling and the dispatchers also have to take this aspect into account when planning the route. The increased and volatile price of gas is causing difficulties and is slightly worrying should the price rise even further in winter.
Mercedes-Benz Switzerland supplied you with a brand new E-Actros to mark the company’s 70th anniversary. What significance does your first e-truck have for you as a company?
This is another milestone in our history. The E-Actros was presented on the occasion of our 70th anniversary recently and complements our sustainability fleet, which runs under the motto ‘Felix for Future’.
We first invested in the construction of a solar plant to be able to charge the truck largely with our own solar power. We can amortise the very high investment costs for the electric truck through savings on the heavy vehicle fee (HVF), as electric trucks are exempted from the HVF.
We’ve invested a lot in a modern and clean fleet, with low-emission engines. This is in the DNA of our family business, which is why it was now also the right step for us to procure an electric truck. My sister Manuela and I are absolutely convinced of the path we’re taking and will continue to invest in new technologies and alternative drives.
What’s your opinion of employee management, especially in these times of staff shortages in Switzerland?
Our employees are the heart and soul of our family business – nothing works without them. We place a lot of value on well-trained people and therefore invest a lot in training our junior staff. We currently employ 13 apprentices, learning to become logistics technician professionals and road transport specialists.
We also attach great importance to the further training of all of the employees on our payroll, and are now training ever-more career changers to become drivers with us. The shortage of qualified personnel will continue to increase.
Therefore, an open corporate culture with good working conditions, modern workplaces (offices, warehousing, trucks) and a healthy family environment is indispensable and important for the sustainable success of our company.