GW Orange Globe Issue 1/2012

Eastward expansion in Orange-BlueJHB Express taken over in Japan and network strengthened with Weiss-Röhlig Vietnam. Page 3

First step into CaucasusGW establishes joint venture in the region, the future hub between Europe and East Asia. Pages 6/7

An ingenious combination In GW’s Orange Future trainee programme, academics and practitioners are in the same boat. Read more. Page 8

The Air & Sea Magazine from Gebrüder Weiss01/2012

orange globeforwarder’s abc

orange globe – editorial

I do not wish to list the usual training activities. I would rather like to focus on our attitude to training activities. Diversity is an essential feature of our internatio-nally active company. To support this diversity and not lose sight of the common goal at the same time, is easily said. However, we are all also aware of the challenges

this diversity poses in terms of cooperation. Our training activity programmes not only focus on diversity due to our internationality and global activities, but because it is this diversity that also exists within a location, even in every individual office.

Having a knowledge of foreign cultures and languages, geography and history is the foundation for successful business relations with other countries and the recipe for successful cooperation within our own working environment. This is because colleagues from other offices have their own culture, language and history. The ability to understand one’s counterpart does much more than overcome barriers and fears between countries.

Let’s think practically: how do most mistakes occur? Through a lack of understanding and misunderstan dings. The main focus of GW Human Resources is therefore on promoting specialised knowledge, communication, cooperation, leadership and motivation, so that dealing with opposites, respecting differences and not least, the resulting benefits are promoted, taught and encouraged.

This way of thinking not only creates service excellence, but also synergies. And synergies do not just appear. It is remarkable that one can hear time and again: “We have to look for synergies.” However, we all know that creating synergies has little to do with searching and finding, but rather involves a great deal of work – namely cooperation – and therefore has more to do with one’s own attitude. Curiosity and courage have always been characteristic features of people concerned with transport. You may rightly ask how we intend to teach this. The answer is: we can’t.

But, we can promote curiosity and courage by inclu-ding these characteristics in our training activities and rewarding our employees. And, above all, by being curious and courageous everyday from anew. Our motto is: “Walk the talk”.

Easily said

Useful information on transport in Vietnam and Japan

Vietnam• Language on documents and packaging markings: English or Vietnamese

for imports. • Customs clearance can take place at the airport or forwarder terminal. Customs

opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.; also outside opening hours or Saturday by arrangement.

• Required import documents: commercial invoice, certificate of origin, import licence for certain goods.

Japan imports• Language on documents: Japanese or English.• Three import systems: 1. Automatic Approval System (AA) for liberalised goods

2. Automatic Import Quota System (AIQ) for liberalised goods, not subject to control, but limited in quantity 3. Import Quota System (IQ) for goods on the negative list.

• Required documents: commercial invoice (signed by dispatcher) with the following details: markings, number of packages, goods description, HS Code and goods quantity and value; certificate of origin; import licence if required.

• Important: a freight rate must always be indicated on the HAWB transport docu-ment (pre-paid or collect). Otherwise, the IATA rate is referred to as a basis for assessment of customs duty, which is generally higher.

• At certain airports, it is now possible to ship by e-Freight.

Human Resources Developer Hanno Schulz looks at training activities at Gebrüder Weiss from a different point of view.

Viewed critically

GW connects – globally

Gebrüder Weiss has moved a great deal more than goods in recent months. We have strengthened our position in Japan by merging with a regional transport specialist. We have also established two new country organisations in Vietnam and Georgia.

The locations of our recent operations in the Far East could not be more different. Firstly, there is Japan, the first “economic miracle country” in Asia, then there is Vietnam, an economic developing country, which is currently booming. We have been active in the Land of the Rising Sun for many years, initially via partners, and since 2008 via Weiss-Röhlig Japan. With the acquisition of JHB Express in Tokyo and Osaka, we have also become a fully-fledged, internationally aligned forwarder here.

Likewise, in Vietnam, we have experience operating in a network – in particular via our partner Röhlig, which has been represented there for the past ten years. In view of the fact that production companies are increasingly moving towards Vietnam, including many of our customers, the establishment of Weiss-Röhlig Vietnam was a logical step for us. We serve the market, which includes the most important export products – consumer goods and crude oil – with two locations and in continued close cooperation with the long-standing Röhlig representative.

In addition to the expansion of our network in the Far East, we are also pursuing a second, long-term goal: connecting the European organisation with the Far East. The idea to make the Silk Road a reality at GW, is by no means new. We are now focusing more strongly on this. In this respect, the opening of Gebrüder Weiss Georgia is a further milestone. Our main intention is to develop the market in the Caucasus region; a very interesting region, which is currently undergoing a period of transition, where different political conditions prevail. Undoubtedly, the road to China is still long, but we are slowly getting there.

Yours,

Heinz Senger-Weiss, Member of the Board

GW Air & Sea Contact

Gebrüder Weiss GmbHBundesstraße 110, A-6923 LauterachT +43.5574.696.2207F +43.5.9006.2609

[email protected]

orange globe – topic

Orange-Blue continues on a course of expansion – new country organisation in Vietnam and more clout in Japan.

The global Air & Sea network of Gebrüder Weiss has been strengthened through a new country organisation in Vietnam and more clout in Japan.

Eastward expansion in Orange-Blue

“Go East” is the motto at Gebrüder Weiss. While Central and Eastern Europe are the focus of land transport, GW Air & Sea is putting out feelers in Asia. Together with partner Röhlig, the Japanese logistics provider JHB Express was taken over at the beginning of 2012 and Weiss-Röhlig Vietnam was launched in the spring. Employees there are also pursuing the same goal: namely to provide customers within the network with high-quality air and sea freight solutions.

As an export nation, Japan has always been high on the list of the most important markets for Air & Sea customers of Gebrüder Weiss. Partner companies have been doing business in the Land of the Rising Sun for a long time; GW established its own sales representation in 2000. In order to meet increasing demands from the global Air & Sea net-work, the logistics company established in 2008, together with the forwarding agent Röhlig in Bremen, Weiss-Rohlig Japan Ltd. In January 2012, the joint venture partners set a further milestone: Weiss-Röhlig Japan took over JHB Express, a logistics company specialising in air and sea freight in Osaka. “With our global network, we also want to provide a comprehensive service in Japan,” says Joe Lässer, Air & Sea Director at Gebrüder Weiss. “With this acquisition, we are on the right path.”

Air and sea freight from one sourceGebrüder Weiss is expanding its presence in the Japa-

nese market. Osaka is now the second pillar in the country organisation besides Tokyo. “The acquisition will give us greater stability in Japan,” says Lässer. In addition to boosting our intra-Asia traffic, our major trading partners in the USA and Europe, in particular, will benefit from the increased capacity.

With JHB Express, GW has obtained the necessary air freight licences to prepare its own transport documents and conclude agreements with airlines. Lässer also stresses

the advantage offered by the combination of air and sea freight: “Forwarding agents in Japan mostly specialise only in one area. The fact that Weiss-Röhlig Japan serves both areas is extremely important to us.” Sea freight solutions will also be needed for both international customers as well as the global network.

Continuity in the area of service and human resourcesThe service portfolio of Weiss-Röhlig Japan includes

regular shipments to all major air and sea cargo hubs around the world; logistic add-ons are also offered. Weiss-Röhlig Japan is continuing the business of JHB seamlessly. The previous owner of JHB, Hikoiku Yoshikawa, will become Vice Chairman, and Kazuyoshi Fujiwara, who has been working for Gebrüder Weiss since 1997, will remain Country Manager. Continuity in the area of human resources is also ensured, as all JHB employees will remain with the company. This will triple the team from eight to 24 employees. And, Austrian native Dominique Rohrmoser, who since 2009 has been the point of contact at Weiss-Röhlig in Japan for the global network and responsible for the management of international and local sales, will also remain at GW.

“The declared aim of Weiss-Röhlig Japan is to provide our customers within the network with services at the highest level,” says Joe Lässer. Japanese boss, Kazuyoshi Fujiwara, does not see this as a major challenge for his team: “In Japan, service providers must be totally customer-orientated and respond reliably. For our employees, this goes without saying.”

A winning team in VietnamAccording to Joe Lässer, Gebrüder Weiss has had

Vietnam “in its sights” for many years: “The market has been very volatile – sometimes we were very busy, other times there was less to do.” However, the situation has stabilised recently, reports the Air & Sea Director: “Vietnam is gaining in importance, mainly because companies from the major Asiatic producing countries are moving away.” This prompted Gebrüder Weiss and Röhlig to take an active role locally.

Weiss-Röhlig Vietnam is working closely together with the regional forwarder RLG, who was a partner of the Air & Sea network in the past. This will give the new country organisation a valuable head start. “We also have staff from RLG on board,” says Joe Lässer. The team, which has been working together with GW for years, will remain the same.

Local know-how will be paired with European experience. Romanian Cristian Predan, who managed GW Air & Sea Romania and Bulgaria, will be at the helm of the new company.

A look beyond the borders“With our main office in Ho Chi Minh City and the loca-

tion in Hanoi, we are able to serve the two most important economic regions in Vietnam,” says Predan. The Country Manager sees opportunities, in particular with regard to the high demand of the emerging producing country for indus-trial machines, spare parts, highly specialised goods and niche products. “This is an interesting market for European companies and we intend to offer our support in this segment with our services.” In addition, the aim is to also win local customers.

In the medium term, GW is even looking beyond national borders, says Joe Lässer: “The set-up in Vietnam is currently the centre of focus. We also want to analyse neighbouring countries such as Cambodia or Laos with the aim of utilising synergies in the region.”

Weiss-Röhlig Japan

Established 2008Offices Tokyo (HQ), OsakaEmployees 24Range of services Air and sea freight, logistics solutions, warehousing, customs clearance, free home delivery, courier service

Weiss-Röhlig Vietnam

Established 2012Offices Ho Chi Minh City (HQ), HanoiEmployees 22Range of services Air and sea freight

The high-tech country Japan has been a leading industrial nation for decades. Even if the past decades have had their numerous ups and down, Nippon has always recovered from setbacks. As an emerging market, Vietnam is a newcomer by comparison. The south-east Asian country is establishing itself more and more in the inter-national community and has shown that it is a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Last October, bookshops in London already opened at midnight. This is not unusual and occurs quite often. All the more surprising was that the rush was not due to the release of a new Harry Potter book, but a book by a Japanese author with the cryptic title 1Q84.

Haruki Murakami’s fan base has been growing steadily since the end of the 1980s. Subjects such as loneliness and a lack of orientation embedded in stories that tell of alternative environments and frequently contain surreal components, reflect the spirit of the times – not only in Japan. Murakami has won numerous international prizes and has since become one of the world’s most famous Japanese people.

Like a phoenix from the ashesLike Murakami’s books, there is something mystic and

mysterious about Japan. In the Western world today, this country is associated, above all, with companies and brands, hardly with people, who rarely emerge from behind the veil of anonymity. By comparison, products of compa-nies such as Toyota, Honda, Sony or Panasonic are not only part of daily life in Europe – they represent a high-tech country, which, like the phoenix from the ashes, emerged from the Second World War and was so successful in the decades that followed that the rest of the world was left speechless.

In the 1970s and ‘80s, all eyes were on the Japanese economic miracle. Within a few decades, the Land of the Rising Sun became the world’s second largest economy – through innovation and ingenuity, as well as hard work.

“The Japanese conquer the world market with unfair com-petition: they work during working hours”, according to a bon mot by the famous satirist Ephraim Kishon.

A country sees pinkJapan is the “home of punctuality” – this even applies

to trains that stop precisely to the minute and centimetre at the station. The Japanese are also unrivalled in their politeness and friendliness. All in all, the culture is strongly characterised by strict rules of conduct and rituals; however, there are moments in which the otherwise more reserved Japanese let themselves go: the magic word is karaoke. Once in the karaoke bars, there’s no stopping them. And, the cherry blossom season is unforgettable throughout Japan. Hanami (literally, “flower viewing”) is not as contemplative as the name may suggest. The whole nation is in a state of excitement for several weeks. The Japanese compare the cherry blossom with human life – both only last for a short while and for this reason, the time should be used to the full.

The constant suspense between tradition and the hyper-modern is particularly fascinating. Anyone walking through the streets of the Tokyo district of Ginza or Shibuya can see why this metropolis is currently the second most expensive city in the world and why Japan is home to some of the most important fashion designers of today: Kenzo, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto or the Comme des Garçons label are famous for their innovative styles. Japan is also considered to be a place for food connoisseurs: Tokyo, with 247 award-winning restaurants, is the gourmet capital of the world, which puts Paris in the shade.

Shikata ga naiJapan has, however, also experienced difficult times.

In 1990, the stock market and property bubble burst. After years, in which the economy stagnated and Japan was almost brought to its knees, there was a phase of growth from 2002, which was based mainly on traditionally strong exports.

Pagodas that mirror in skyscrapers, modernity and dynamism steeped in neon lights, a frenzy of activity coupled with charm, thousand-year-old alleyways and ear-piercing engine noise – the capitals Tokyo and Hanoi are as different as the countries they represent.

orange globe – focus

Japan – Nippon

Area: 377,930 km² on four main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu), surrounded by about 4,000 smaller islandsPopulation: Over 127 million inhabitantsCapital: TokyoOfficial language: JapaneseGross domestic product: 5,855 billion USD (2011)Currency: Yen (1 USD = about 83 JPY) status: March 2012

sun,star

Red

yellow

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Area: 332,800 km²Population: About 90 million inhabitants; of which 10 million minorities (54 ethnic groups, including Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Chinese) Capital: HanoiOfficial language: VietnameseGross domestic product: 104.6 billion USD (estimation 2010)Currency: Dong (1 USD = about 20,800 VND) status: March 2012

unsafe – priority is given to those that sound their horn, drive faster or are bigger. As far as the moped is concerned as a means of transport, nobody can beat the Vietnamese. The goods transported range from water jugs to trees.

Cooking for ClintonThe second most important metropolis of the country is

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, more elegant than Saigon, but less dynamic. One of the attractions not to be missed is the thousand-year-old Old Quarter with its 36 entrepre-neurial streets. Here, 90,000 people live on an area of 10 hectares, often in “tunnel houses”, which are only two or three metres wide, but 90 metres long.

To keep children and disadvantaged youth off the streets, Jimmy Pham, who was born in Vietnam, started the Koto Project, where street children learn the art of cooking. In the meantime, a restaurant has been opened. This is where famous people such as Bill Clinton can be found.

Japan was hardly affected by the financial crisis in 2008, because Japanese banks did not irresponsibly speculate in toxic American assets. However, the real economic crisis that directly followed, hit the country with full force – when, also due to the exchange rate, foreign trade declined sharply and the economy shrunk considerably.

Then came the triple disaster with the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident on the north-east coast. The way the Japanese stoically dealt with the emergency situation with unbelievable discipline and strength, brought them worldwide respect. “Shikata ga nai, there is nothing one can do”, life must go on, is their motto in such situations.

At the end of 2011, the economy was back to the level seen before the disaster, even though Japan recorded a trade balance deficit for the first time since 1980. In addi-tion, a currency deal with China was concluded, which will have a significant effect on the economy in Asia. Since 2007, the former arch rival, which has replaced Japan as the second largest economy, is the most important trading partner.

In order to show the world what the country is able to achieve, and as a symbol of reconstruction following

Fukushima, they have set themselves an ambitious goal: to hold the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

Doi-Moi – a country changesVietnam is almost as large as the Land of the Rising Sun.

Compared to the economic giant Japan, the country on the Mekong is still an emerging country. For both coun-tries, the war was a break and simultaneously a new beginning. However, whilst Japan became increasingly receptive after the Second World War, Vietnam remained isolated for years after the Vietnam War and had hardly any contact with the outside world. Only from 1986, when appropriate reforms were adopted as part of the Doi-Moi politics, did the country start to open up economically. Since 1989, tourists have again been allowed to visit the country, and diplomatic relations have also been esta-blished with other countries.

In the past two and a half decades, Vietnam has recorded high economic growth, which was mostly above eight per cent. Although the communist party still holds the political monopoly of power, there are increasing market economy tendencies. Since 2007, the nation has been a member of the World Trade Organisation, which has resulted in stronger international integration.

After Brazil, Vietnam is the world’s second largest coffee producer. Exports mainly include textiles, shoes, electronic products and crude oil. In Ho-Chi-Minh City (formerly Saigon), the economic centre, where around a fifth of the GDP of the country is generated, a stock exchange was opened about ten years ago.

Chronic by contrast is the trade balance deficit characteristic of an emerging country and the level of unemployment, which is so high that it cannot be statisti-cally recorded. On the other hand, there are millions of small entrepreneurs – so-called Me Incorporated – who earn their keep, for example as owners of an air pump who provide their services to cyclists in the city. And there are more than enough: Vietnam could also be called the Land of Moped Riders. About 20 million mopeds make the roads

The evening panoramic view of the large city and Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is very impressive. One of the many landmarks of Tokyo is the 332.6-metre-high Tokyo Tower, which is illuminated at night.

Traffic in Vietnam, quite normal madness.

The Japanese conquer the world market with unfair competition: they work during working hours.—— Ephraim Kishon

„

Majestic peaks, untouched glaciers, idyllic valleys and vibrant cities: the Caucasus spans more than 1,100 kilo-metres between Europe and Asia, on the territory of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and the extreme north-east of Turkey. Together with the “Stan countries” on the other side of the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus forms a region that is experiencing an economic boom. In Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in particular, revenues from oil and natural gas production, as well as mineral resources such as gold and uranium, are the drivers of rapid growth. What’s more, the other countries also offer interesting niche markets.

Consistent developmentIn the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, Gebrüder Weiss esta-

blished a new joint venture in January 2012. Together with the locally based company Tegeta Motors Ltd., the logistics company, which also holds the majority share, established Gebrüder Weiss Georgia. By entering the market in Georgia, Gebrüder Weiss is strengthening its regional presence and expanding its business in the region. “Through this joint venture, we are building a strategically important platform in the Caucasus,” said Wolfram Senger-Weiss after signing the contract on 26 January. The GW Board Member is convinced that the region will develop into a hub between the booming markets in East Asia and Europe in the near future. Many of our customers will benefit from this expansion.

The joint venture partner Tegeta Motors, founded in 1995, is the leading provider of truck spares and services for cars and trucks in Georgia and an exclusive distributor for many international brands in the automotive industry. The company, headquartered in Tbilisi, has 14 locations in its home market and maintains business relations with its neighbouring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan. The company identified logistics as a growth market and established the Tegeta Logistics subsidiary in 2009. The

logistics division of Tegeta Motors is now being succes-sively taken over by Gebrüder Weiss. The Georgian GW team currently consists of 23 employees, and will be headed by Aleksandre Kharlamov, who previously held an executive position at Tegeta Motors.

Mr Predan, what surprised you most when you first came to Vietnam?The mopeds. No matter how much you’ve read

about it, it is not something you could have imagined, to say the least. There are thousands upon thousands of two-wheelers. The Vietnamese use them to go on family outings – up to four people on one moped! They also use them to transport televisions, chairs, 20-litre water canisters, live animals and everything else imaginable.

Up to now you have managed the Air & Sea organisations in Bulgaria and Romania, and are an experienced forwarder. What challenges are you currently facing in your new position?Cultural understanding is one challenge. Some-

times, people communicate, work and behave diffe-rently to what I am used to. This is neither good nor bad, it’s just different. Bureaucracy is another challenge. In cases that are not clear-cut in the opinion of the respon-sible authorities, additional documents often have to be provided or the opinion of other authorities obtained. This turns a simple mistake into a complex case and can cause considerable delays.

What major differences to Europe have you been able to discover in Vietnam up to now?The attitude to problems is somewhat different. On

the one hand, the people in Vietnam tend to cope with difficulties more easily and remain calmer than us Euro-peans. On the other hand, you hear at the very last minute of a problem that could affect you. The Vietna-mese are hopeful that they will find a solution – or perhaps a miracle will happen.

Cue – intercultural cooperation: Is there anything in particular foreign partners or work colleagues need to take into consideration when dealing with the locals? I believe that the people in Vietnam should be treated

with the same respect as a business partner in one’s own country and colleagues in other offices. They appreciate politeness and fairness.

What do you particularly like about Vietnam?The food is exceptional, a mix of Chinese and Thai

cuisine with a strong French influence. The coffee (Vietnam is the second largest exporter) and the bread are also excellent. And I also find the atmosphere fantastic, for example, the numerous cafés, where you can often also sit outside.

orange globe – interview

orange globe – reports

“ Simply with the same respect”

Unspoiled countryside, breath-taking panoramas and vibrant cities – Gebrüder Weiss will be focusing more and more on the emerging Caucasus region.

From south-eastern Europe to South-East Asia. Cristian Predan, a Romanian native and long-term GW employee, moved with bag and baggage to Viet-nam. His new place of work: Ho Chi Minh City. The new Country Manager of Weiss-Röhlig Vietnam spoke in an interview about the wondrous means of transport, new challenges and inter-cultural differences.

Caucasus here we comeIn the region, which is to become the hub between Europe and East Asia in the future, Gebrüder Weiss has established a new joint venture with the Georgian company Tegeta Motors. Gebrüder Weiss Georgia can provide transport and logistics solutions to meet specific requirements as well as a high standard of service.

orange globe – news

Premier of “Breakbulk China”Having already established itself in Antwerp and

Singapore, the leading trade fair for breakbulk trans-portation was held for the first time in the economic metropolis of Shanghai. From 28 February to 1 March 2012, shipping companies, ports, breakbulk and pro-ject forwarders, as well as experts, met with trade visitors and provided information on innovations and branch trends. The fair offered Weiss-Röhlig China an excellent opportunity to position itself as a project forwarder with an exceptional network and establish contacts.

A-licence for ShenzhenSince February 2012, Weiss-Röhlig has an

A-licence for the Chinese location in Shenzhen, which permits unrestricted business activity in the People’s Republic. After one year, this licence can be extended to other offices in South China.

Flexible transport concepts“Starting with the handling of sea and air freight ship-

ments to and from Georgia via local transport services and customs clearance, being offered with immediate effect, we will be focusing more strongly on logistics in the future,” says Jochen Humpeler, Regional Management East at GW Air & Sea, regarding the alignment of Gebrüder Weiss Georgia.

“The special thing about this region is that there is no preferred type of transport,” adds Vojislav Jevtic, Global Product Sea Freight Manager at GW Air & Sea. The infra-structure, political situation, weather conditions, long distances and an unbalanced flow of goods demand a very

flexible transport concept. A snow-covered route can become impassable in winter or a popular route suddenly subject to very heavy traffic, so that the mostly old infra-structure is overloaded. “Truck, air freight, train container transport, conventional train freight, barges, ships – they all play a role in this region,” says Jevtic. Special transport services are in demand. “Those that only offer one trans-port product will find it difficult; this is where all-round specialists are needed.” This is why intermodal transport is so important. In addition, the provision of short sea services, i.e. short-distance sea freight, is also relevant for Caucasus business from the WeissLand.

The best basic conditions and the highest flexibility will be created with the construction of a modern logistics facility of approximately 14,000 m². The new logistics terminal, which can be extended to a capacity of 60,000 m², is expected to be completed in mid-2013.

Bridging the gap between continents“We primarily want to offer our global customers

the same air and sea freight service in this region as they receive from us in many other countries worldwide,” says Jochen Humpeler. At present, the focus is on knowledge transfer using the network and rapid links to the Air & Sea organisation. “To what extent we will be able to use the location in Tbilisi as a gateway to Azerbaijan, Armenia and possibly also Kazakhstan, is something we will examine locally in the coming months,” says the Regional Manager. In any event, Georgia offers an excellent basis for bridging the gap between the continents.

The Silk Road used to lead to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Today, the city is full of history, culture and hot springs that have been bubbling away for centuries.

“From solo to symphony”Under this motto, over 150 sales and marketing

specialists from 22 countries, including GW emplo-yees and representatives of selected cooperation partners, met at the 2012 sales days in Vienna. The purpose of the two-day event was to update each other on the current situation in the various business areas in order to provide stimulus for future and, above all, joint sales activities.

Know-how

Short sea shippingShort sea shipping is an English term. This refers to the transport of goods by sea, handled on one and the same continent. It includes inland traffic and offshore traffic in the North and Baltic sea as well as in the Mediterranean. An example of short sea ship-ping is transport from Koper, Slovenia, to Poti, Geor-gia. In contrast, deep sea shipping means imports from and exports to other countries.

Intermodal transport ... is the movement of goods in one and the same loading unit, using successively two or more modes of transport without handling the goods themselves in changing modes. Other forms of intermodal transport include “combined transport”, where a truck covers part of its journey by rail and collection and delivery of the goods is carried out by road. This form of transport offers diverse combinations between ship and barge, road, rail and air.

Imprint: orange globe, the customer magazine of Gebrüder Weiss Ges.m.b.H. Media owner, publisher, distributor: Gebrüder Weiss Ges.m.b.H., Bundesstrasse 110, A-6923 Lauterach Responsible for the content: Michael Büchele, T +43.5223.206.441. Editorial staff: Silke Lechner, Thomas Prugger, T +43.5223.206.449. Production: Raimund Fink. Design: Dalpra&Partner, Götzis, Language adaptation: Markus Grabher, grabherdesign.com. Print: Buchdruckerei Lustenau

orange globe – inside

An ingenious combinationIn the Orange Future trainee and young talent programme, young academics and experienced practitioners are in the same boat.

Trainee programmes as such are nothing special. In numerous companies, such training programmes are an important opportunity for young academics. To team up university graduates with experienced key employees, however, is rare. Not at Gebrüder Weiss. It is precisely this combination that makes Orange Future special as a trainee and potential promoting programme across the Group. This is where theoreticians learn from practitioners and vice versa. More than 100 people have already taken part. And the training, which is now being provided for the fourth time, is becoming more and more international. In the meantime, only English is spoken and this time participants will be coming from seven European countries, as well as India and Kenya.

Orange Globe has taken into account the opinions of par-ticipants and responsible human resources developers.

Good people = satisfied customers. What contribution can Orange Future make in this respect?“GW invests a substantial budget in training and further training as part of our culture.

We know that we can only stand out from the competition with highly qualified employees, and Orange Future is a tool to win and keep the best. A lot depends on networking and, in particular, diversity: participants are university graduates or apprentices from different backgrounds, men and women, mid-20s or mid-30s. This provides an excellent environ-ment for learning on several levels. In this way, specialised knowledge is conveyed and social skills are promoted. The point is also to convey GW knowledge and maintain the value of the company. Finally, Orange Future encourages self-motivation. One is aware that one is of value to the company. And, only those who have self-esteem can pass this on to the customers.”

Monika Mandl Head of Human Resources Eastern Region

As a GW employee, what impulses has this training given you and what opportunities do you think you will have for your further career development through your participation?“Orange Future is a milestone in my career! This pro-

gramme is not only devoted to training, which provides us with valuable knowledge from diverse areas of trans-port and logistics and supports us in developing our personal abilities. It also offers a good opportunity to meet employees from other areas of the GW organisation. This definitely has a positive effect on cooperation. Last but not least, being able to participate in Orange Future is the best possible motivation for me. I am now very optimistic about my future with Gebrüder Weiss.”

Jimmy Liu GW Air & Sea Maria LanzendorfNationality: Austrian with Chinese origins

Women in executive positions are still an exception to the rule – particularly in a “male domain” such as transport and logistics. What prompted you to work in this industry and to what extent does Orange Future prepare you for your future responsibilities?“I liked the idea of studying International Freight Management. I always wanted to

pursue a career where I would be given the opportunity to work together with people from other countries. A day in the world of logistics is like travelling around the world.It allows you to work with people from Europe, Asia and America, as well as Australia and Africa. The rotation schedule in Orange Future allows me to work in virtually all areas at GW. This gives me an insight into the business processes within the company. Working on real projects is also very helpful. This gives me the experience and ideas that I can use later.”

Domtila WägerTrainee, Nationality: Kenya

You were born in India. How do you find training and working in the home country of Gebrüder Weiss? What does Orange Future mean to you personally, and how do you see your future?“Last year I was given the opportunity, as part of a

project at my university in France, to visit various GW offices. I finally visited Hall in Tyrol, because I felt that I would only be able to experience the real values and guiding principles of GW in WeissLand. For me, Orange Future is a fantastic springboard for those with high potential and trainees alike. From a trainee point of view, the transition from theory to practice is gentle. And our trainers teach us exactly what they do in their day-to-day business, i.e. all that matters. My five-year plan includes staying with GW for two more years. I would like to subse-quently continue my studies and do a Master’s degree. When I return to India, I hope to be able to work for Weiss-Röhlig.”

Avinash RangamaniTrainee, Nationality: India

Gebrüder Weiss ranks as one of the best employers in Austria. As part of the well-known “Great Place to Work” competition, the logistics provider was once again awarded the “Quality Seal for Workplace Culture” in March 2012 and also received the special prize “Best Employer for Apprentices”.

Excellent employer