Balance sheet 2022: Gebrüder Weiss continues to grow

Logistics company generates 18 per cent increase in turnover and expands its position in core markets / 67 million euros invested in network expansion and digitalisation / Further steps taken towards climate neutrality

Lauterach, 14 March 2023: The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss generated net sales of EUR 3.01 billion in the past financial year. This corresponds to an increase of 18 per cent compared to the previous year (2021: EUR 2.54 billion). The logistics company is thus continuing the positive development of recent years. "We have succeeded in continuing to pursue our strategic goals in a challenging environment. We have expanded our position in the core markets of Central and Eastern Europe, the USA and Asia and pushed ahead with the focus topics of digitalisation and climate neutrality by 2030. The pleasing results in all business areas show that we are in a solid and sustainable position," says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss. The equity ratio was also increased and is now back at around 60 per cent (2021: 57 per cent), which underlines the company's strength in the crisis and distinguishes Gebrüder Weiss as a secure employer.

At EUR 1,479 million, the overland transport division achieved an increase in turnover of 16 per cent (2021: EUR 1,277 million). The Home Delivery product area remained at the previous year's level and delivered around 1.53 million consignments to private households in Austria and Eastern Europe (2021: 1.58 million consignments). Gebrüder Weiss thus maintained its position as market leader in this segment. The Air & Sea division recorded significant growth, closing the year with EUR 1,272 million and an increase in turnover of 24 per cent (2021: EUR 1,024 million). The high freight rates of shipping companies and airlines contributed significantly to this increase. The shipment volumes at DPD Austria, of which Gebrüder Weiss Parcel Service is a co-partner, remained almost constant: 66 million parcels were transported last year (2021: 66.5 million).

International network expansion

Despite the difficult economic situation in the context of the war in Ukraine, the energy issue and advancing inflation, Gebrüder Weiss stuck to its investment strategy in 2022. A total of 67 million euros was channelled into consolidating its own network and expanding its international locations and services. The company focussed on Germany, Hungary, Romania and the USA as well as Turkey and Georgia - the latter two as central links on the Middle Corridor, on which the logistics company expanded its transport connections towards Central Asia and China.

In the important logistics market of Germany, Gebrüder Weiss was able to consolidate its position in air and sea freight, as well as in land transport. In southern Germany, the company finalised the rebranding process of the Bavarian forwarding company Lode to Gebrüder Weiss Waldkraiburg. Further expansion of the southern German overland transport network is planned, and the first steps have already been taken at the beginning of 2023 with the acquisition of the Rentschler forwarding company in Baden-Württemberg. The expansion of the network also led to an increase in the number of employees, which rose by six per cent to around 8,400 (2021: 7,900).

Continued focus: digitalisation and sustainability

The "Best of Both Worlds" digitalisation strategy, which Gebrüder Weiss understands as a combination of operational and digital expertise, was also consistently pursued in 2022. Among other things, the digital customer portal myGW was rolled out globally. The portal offers customers real-time information on their flow of goods and therefore maximum transparency along the entire supply chain. "Our goal is to deliver the best solutions for our customers' supply chains while minimising the impact on the environment. To achieve this, we continuously invest in our logistics facilities and digital tools, in training our employees and in environmentally friendly transport options," explains Wolfram Senger-Weiss.

Gebrüder Weiss has documented its clear commitment to sustainable goals and its desire to contribute to global climate protection in its sustainability report published in 2022. The company aims to operate its own logistics facilities in a climate-neutral manner by 2030. To this end, the company is increasingly focussing on electricity from renewable sources and installed four new photovoltaic systems at locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland last year. This means that a total of 22 such systems are already in operation, saving 1,110 tonnes of CO2 per year. Expansion is set to continue in these countries and in Eastern Europe in 2023.

There has also been movement in the area of alternative drives: following successful long-distance tests of the company's own hydrogen lorry, Gebrüder Weiss will continue to invest in this technology: five new H2 lorries are to be in operation in Germany in 2023. There are also plans to further increase the number of electric vans for urban goods transport in Austria and Eastern Europe.

Gebrüder Weiss expects the logistics business to return to normal in 2023. The number of shipments is currently declining slightly and the rates for air and sea freight have fallen back to almost the same level as in 2019. In this respect, a decline in sales is also to be expected. The general geopolitical situation may cause additional difficulties. Wolfram Senger-Weiss: "The pandemic has shown how efficient logistics is and how quickly it can react to changing conditions. Gebrüder Weiss was able to consolidate its solid financial basis and continue to drive innovation. In doing so, we are close to our customers and derive appropriate digital services from their needs. Of course, we are treating the current economic forecast, high inflation and the war in Ukraine with respect and concern. As a strong company, we remain confident despite everything."

About Gebrüder Weiss

Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach (Austria), is a global full-service logistics provider with around 8,400 employees and 180 company-owned locations. Most recently, the company generated annual sales of EUR 3 billion (2022). Its portfolio includes transport and logistics solutions, digital services and supply chain management. The combination of digital and physical expertise enables the Group to respond quickly and flexibly to customer needs. With a wide range of ecological, economic and social measures, the family-owned company, whose history in transport goes back more than 500 years, is today also considered a pioneer in terms of sustainable management. www.gw-world.com

Contact
Gebrüder Weiss Corporate Communications
Merlin Herrmann
Bundesstraße 110, A-6923 Lauterach
T +43.5574.696.2169
press@gw-world.com
www.gw-world.com/de/news