2022 Balance Sheet: Gebrüder Weiss Continues to Grow

Logistics expert increases turnover by 18%, consolidating its position in core markets / EUR 67 million invested in network expansion and digitalization / additional steps towards CO2 neutrality

The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss posted turnover of EUR 3.01 billion for fiscal 2022. This translates into a year-on-year gain of 18% (2021: EUR 2.54 billion), and builds on the positive trend of recent years.

– We have succeeded in adhering to and advancing our strategic goals in a challenging environment. We have expanded our position in the core markets of Central and Eastern Europe, the United States and Asia, while moving forward with our focuses on digitalization and climate neutrality by 2030. The rewarding results across our divisions are proof positive that we are a solid organization that is fit for the future – says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO at Gebrüder Weiss.



The equity ratio also rose and has been restored to its previous level of 60% (2021: 57%); this increase underlines the company’s resilience and demonstrates that Gebrüder Weiss offers its workforce secure jobs.

The Land Transport division posted EUR 1,479 million in sales, a gain of 16% (2021: EUR 1,277 million). The Home Delivery service performed at last year’s level, delivering some 1.53 million shipments to private households in Austria and Eastern Europe (2021: 1.58 million consignments). As a result, Gebrüder Weiss maintained its market leadership in this segment. Major progress was also reported by Air & Sea, which closed fiscal 2022 with sales at EUR 1,272 million, a plus of 24% (2021: EUR 1,024 million). This surge was driven mainly by the high freight charges of the shipping companies and airlines. DPD Austria, which is partly owned by the Gebrüder Weiss parcel service, was able to sustain its volumes: in 2022 it shipped 66 million parcels (2021: 66.5 million).

International network expanded

Despite economic challenges in 2022 deriving from the war in Ukraine, energy issues and rising inflation, Gebrüder Weiss adhered to its investment strategy. A total of EUR 67 million were devoted to consolidating the company’s own network and augmenting its international locations and services. The main focuses were Germany, Hungary, Romania and the United States, along with Turkey and Georgia. The latter two countries are chief links on the Middle Corridor, along which the logistics specialist extended its services to Central Asia and China.

In the key German logistics market, Gebrüder Weiss was able to cement its position in both Air & Sea and Land Transport. In southern Germany, the renaming of the Bavarian freight forwarding company Lode as Gebrüder Weiss Waldkraiburg was concluded. The continued expansion of the land transport network is planned for the south of Germany, with the takeover of the Rentschler shipping company (Baden-Württemberg) in early 2023 marking a first step. Having an enlarged network naturally prompted growth in the workforce: employee numbers rose by six percent to some 8,400 (2021: 7,900)

: Jürgen Bauer, Peter Kloiber, Wolfram Senger-Weiss (Chairman) und Lothar Thoma)

Continued focus on digitalization and sustainability

The year 2022 also saw the company sustaining its digitalization strategy “Best of Both Worlds,” which Gebrüder Weiss views as a winning combination of operational and digital competence. This included the next stage in the rollout of the digital service portal myGW, which delivers real-time information as to the exact whereabouts of customers’ goods – thus ensuring optimum transparency along the entire supply chain.

– Our goal is to give our customers the best solutions for their supply chains, while confining our environmental impact to a minimum. Toward that end, we are constantly investing in our logistics terminals and digital tools, while simultaneously training our staff and identifying environmentally friendly transport options – Wolfram Senger-Weiss explains.

To underscore the company’s commitment to sustainable goals and its pledge to contribute to climate protection globally, Gebrüder Weiss published a Sustainability Report in 2022. In line with its targets, the logistics specialist intends to achieve carbon neutrality at all of its terminals by 2030. One key element in this transition is an increase in power from regenerative sources; last year Gebrüder Weiss installed four new photovoltaic systems at sites in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. All told, 22 such systems are now already in operation, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,110 metric tons annually. In 2023, the rollout will continue in these countries and in Eastern Europe.



Nor has time stood still when it comes to alternative drive options. After successful long-distance trials with the company’s own hydrogen-powered trucks, Gebrüder Weiss is planning further investments in this technology. In 2023, five new H2—powered trucks are due to hit the roads in Germany. Moving forward, the number of electrically powered vans used in urban goods deliveries is due to further increase in Austria and Eastern Europe.

(Gebrüder Weiss is continuing to invest in hydrogen drive technologies. The company’s own H2-powered truck successfully completed a long-distance trial run to Prague in 2022)

For 2023, Gebrüder Weiss is anticipating a renormalization of the logistics industry. Shipment numbers are currently declining somewhat, and the cost of transport by air and sea has dropped to 2019 levels. As a result, lower sales are expected. Global geopolitical factors may bring additional challenges.

– The pandemic has proven that the logistics industry can perform under pressure and react swiftly to changing conditions. In the past year, Gebrüder Weiss has been able to further solidify its financial base and drive innovations – while remaining close to our customers and answering their needs with relevant digital services. In light of the current economic forecast, the high inflation rate and the war in Ukraine, we are – needless to say – circumspect and concerned. However, ultimately we remain a strong organization and that gives us confidence – says Wolfram Senger-Weiss

About Gebrüder Weiss

Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach (Vorarlberg, Austria), is a global logistics company with around 8,400 employees, 180 company-owned locations and a turnover of EUR 3 billion in 2022. The portfolio includes transport and logistics solutions, digital services and supply chain management. The combination of digital and physical competences allows the company to respond to customer needs quickly and flexibly. Having implemented a variety of ecological, economic and social initiatives, the family-owned company, which has a history going back 500 years, is considered a pioneer in terms of sustainable business today. www.gw-world.com

Gebruder Weiss d.o.o. Dobanovci

Gebrüder Weiss

Gebruder Weiss

Gebrüder Weiss Paketdienst

Gebruder Weiss Paketdienst

Gebrüder Weiss Waldkraiburg

Gebruder Weiss Waldkraiburg

Lode

Rentschler

Wolfram Senger Weiss

road transport

myGW portal

hydrogen trucks

electric van

logistics