Credit: Dachser
Dachser, a German logistics provider with a branch in Luxembourg, increased its consolidated revenue by 26% to a record €7.1 billion in the 2021 financial year.
After the COVID-19 lockdown-driven lateral detour of the previous year, Dachser reported positive financial results for 2021, a development attributed to organic growth in shipments and tonnage of 6.3% (or 7.7% at the group level). High freight prices, caused by the shortage of load capacity experienced by all carriers, set the seal on this jump in revenue.
"There’s no question that 2021 was exceptional in many ways, with some extreme challenges to overcome", said Dachser CEO Burkhard Eling. "It was marked by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chains pushed to breaking point, all of which caused great uncertainty among our customers. Even in this situation, we managed to offer logistics solutions while still maintaining a high level of quality and service. In this way, we strengthened ties with customers and pursued targeted expansion of business, especially with our major accounts. This was an extraordinary achievement, where the difficult conditions meant that our teams had to give their all".
Dachser’s Road Logistics business field, which comprises the transport and warehousing of industrial and consumer goods (European Logistics) and food (Food Logistics), increased its revenue by 12.3% to €4.99 billion in 2021. After lockdowns across southern Europe in 2020 led to a 2.2% drop in revenue, the result represents a significant increase - even over the pre-COVID-19 year 2019.
The European Logistics business line raised its revenue by 13.1% to €3.92 billion. Following several years of stagnation, the number of shipments increased significantly by 6.8% to 72 million; tonnage went up by even more, 8.5%, to 30 million. All regional business units (Germany, North Central Europe, France & Maghreb and Iberia) recorded double-digit increases in revenue. Despite COVID-19-related restrictions for restaurants and hotels in Germany, the acquisition of new customers ensured that the Food Logistics business line achieved revenue growth of 9.8%. This is the first time the business line surpassed one billion, achieving revenue of €1.07 billion.
In 2021, air and sea freight business was characterised by supply chain disruptions, a shortage of freight capacity and correspondingly high rates. As a consequence of this development, the Air & Sea Logistics business field was able to achieve record revenue growth of 78.3%. Shipments handled rose by 9.1% and tonnage jumped 20.9%. One particular success was the further expansion of air freight charters to a network of regular transports between Asia, Europe, and North America. Dachser completed a total of 230 charters in 2021.
According to Dachser, volatility and challenges continue to shape the marketplace in 2022. The war in Ukraine is causing extreme human suffering and will also leave deep marks on the global economy. Then there are the record energy and fuel costs, the further exacerbation of the driver shortage and persistent disruptions to global supply chains. The latter is caused in part by further outbreaks of COVID-19 in places such as China and Hong Kong. "We must accept that we’re in for yet another year in which maintaining supply chains will require crisis management, flexibility and resilience", noted Burkhard Eling.
Dachser is also providing for the future by investing in logistics facilities, digital technologies and equipment. After investing around €100 million in 2021, the company plans to spend some €200 million in 2022.
"This includes lighthouse projects such as our fully automated high-bay storage warehouse in Memmingen. Featuring 52,000 pallet spaces, this facility will open in October", Mr Eling explained. "At the same time, we’re also making substantial investments in digitalization, climate protection, and especially in our employees - after all, logistics is and will always be a business run by people for people".
In 2021, Dachser hired about 1,000 new employees worldwide and around 2,200 young people are currently doing an apprenticeship at Dachser locations across the globe.
