Meet the neighbours
Camion Transport in Basel developing strongly. Just a few months have passed since the takeover of the company Hänger by Camion Transport became effective (see page 19 of ITJ 39-40 / 2023). Michael Werner, head of the Basel branch of Camion Transport, explained to the ITJ during a recent visit to the premises in the Wolf railfreight shunting yard how the business fields of the two neighbours complement each other.
Some companies in the industry have been in business even longer than the 85 years that the ITJ has been active for. The firm Hänger, from the same city that the ITJ is published in, for example, was founded in 1899, and would thus have celebrated its 125th anniversary this year. On 1 January it was taken over by its long-time partner Camion Transport (CT), however, which itself is turning 100 in 2025.
CT continues to rely explicitly on the know-how of the ten-person team headed by the former and present Hänger managing director Karin Ruppen – as its niche expertise is so precious for the special handling of heavy and complex goods, as well as the loading and unloading overseas containers, primarily by rail.
Six to seven wagons are handled daily by Hänger. For CT itself, the figure comes to as many as 18 inbound and 35 outbound vehicles a day. “Basel is our firm’s largest rail centre in terms of its area,” explains Michael Werner, who has been head of Camion Transport Basel (CTB) since 2019.
With its overnight services from the tri-nation region, in which most of the transport route is covered on railtracks, the company has a great advantage over the transport of goods exclusively by road.
Focus on forwarding
CTB is the most ‘forwarder-heavy’ facility amongst the firm’s 15 branches throughout Switzerland, with this category accounting for 70% of its turnover. CTB has excellent infrastructure of its own. On top of two covered rail sidings for 31 wagons it also includes 80 truck ramps and logistics halls.
By integrating Hänger, CTB has taken over additional halls with a total area of 7,500 m2. In a part of this area, it wants to carry out conversion measures together with SBB, whose tenant CTB will remain until 2037, to provide the necessary infrastructure for the handling of special goods. “This includes a heavy goods ramp as well as an access ramp,” Werner explained.
Basel speciality
The move from the current Hänger location to this infrastructure is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of this year. Then CTB will have about 15,000 m2 of handling space and 23,000 m2 of storage space, as well as a 1,000 m2 hazardous materials warehouse. It is making “massive investments in infrastructure,” Werner said – without citing any figures.
Werner is happy that his 150 employees are equipped and ready to continue to respond flexibly to fluctuations in global supply chains and willing to continue to handle orders that require special transport and logistics know-how.
This includes the careful handling of oversized works of art, as well as unique vehicles, be they classic cars or sports cars. We got an impression of this from leafing through the ever-growing company photo album. “We help other transporters out if something has gone wrong,” Werner underlined, pointing to a trailer tarpaulin that was rather the worse for wear.
The experience of CTB’s logisticians in cargo lashing and with their special equipment, including 13 forklift trucks of different capacities, including a heavy-duty unit with a 10 t lifting capacity, ensures that no unwelcome incidents or delays take place in its logistics operations.