You have enjoyed a varied career in logistics. What motivated you to take on the role of Board Member for Road Freight at Noerpel?

 

What attracted me most was the opportunity to actively help shape the future development of the company. At the same time, I found an environment at Noerpel that closely matches my understanding of successful logistics: pragmatic, solution-oriented and firmly focused on customer needs.

 

In my view, this is one of Noerpel’s key strengths. We are committed to finding the best possible solution for every customer. This hands-on approach and the determination to tackle challenges together convinced me from the very beginning.

 

 

You have now completed your first few months at Noerpel. What impression has the company made on you so far?

 

The start was intensive, but exactly the way I had hoped it would be. I joined during the busy spring period and was fully involved from day one. That gave me the opportunity to quickly get to know many colleagues and work closely with them.

 

What impressed me most was the open and respectful way people work together. Communication is straightforward, decisions are made pragmatically and everyone is pulling in the same direction.

 

Although I have not yet visited all our branches in person, I have already gained a very good understanding of the company. Conversations with employees and customers have been particularly important to me. Overall, I felt welcome from the very first day and settled in quickly.

 

 

You mentioned upcoming challenges. What are the key issues currently facing the transport and logistics industry?

 

Transport logistics is operating in a demanding market environment. On the one hand, economic developments have led to intense competition for declining transport volumes. On the other hand, available capacity remains limited.

 

Topics such as the driver shortage, the availability of international drivers and increasing regulatory requirements are affecting the entire industry. Seasonal fluctuations add further complexity. During peak periods, capacity reaches its limits, while lower transport volumes during quieter periods reduce utilisation levels.

 

These are challenging conditions, but I am convinced that we can address them successfully with the right measures. One important step is the targeted expansion of our own transport capacities, allowing us to operate more independently and flexibly.

 

At the same time, future-oriented topics such as automation and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important. The key will be to use these technologies where they create real value, both for our employees and for our customers. We intend to stay at the forefront of these developments and actively seize the opportunities they offer.

 

 

Against this backdrop, what can customers expect from Noerpel over the next twelve months?

 

Even in a challenging market environment, we aim to remain a reliable partner for our customers. Success will depend on combining customer proximity, excellent service and economic efficiency.

 

Quality plays a central role in this approach. In logistics, there is often discussion about whether quality creates costs or ultimately reduces them. For me, the answer is clear: processes become most efficient when they work correctly from the outset. That is why we consistently pursue a zero-defect approach. Our goal is to minimise sources of error and fully leverage the opportunities offered by KPIs, data analysis and automated processes.

 

The development of our employees is equally important. For example, we are currently establishing a standardised training infrastructure for our transport management system to ensure knowledge is transferred systematically and sustainably. The focus is not only on using the system itself but also on understanding the processes behind it. This benefits our teams and, ultimately, our customers through even greater quality, reliability and efficiency.

 

 

The exchange with employees and customers seems to be particularly important to you. Is that where the best ideas come from?

 

It varies. I often find it easiest to concentrate while travelling. Many thoughts and ideas emerge during those moments, which I then make a note of.

 

At the same time, conversations with our employees are incredibly valuable. Hardly a week goes by without me visiting one of our branches. On site, I receive important insights from people who live the business every day and understand exactly what matters in practice.

 

The dialogue with our customers is just as important. These conversations often open up new perspectives, trigger new ways of thinking and provide valuable inspiration. The real challenge lies in bringing different ideas together and translating them into practical solutions.

 

 

With so many topics, projects and appointments, how do you switch off and recharge?

 

Over the years, I have learned to consciously separate my professional and private life. The moment I step out of my car at home, I switch off. And when I really want to relax, I sit down at the piano.

 

We congratulate Horst on his new position and wish him continued success in his role!