CEO Frank Dreeke draws a positive conclusion: "BLG Logistics generated a solid result in the 2019 financial year. Overall, we more than achieved our goal of maintaining sales revenue at a constant level." With this robust and solidly financed starting point, the company will also be able to overcome the extremely difficult year 2020.

For 2019, the BLG Group reported total sales of 1 billion and 158.6 million euros. This is an increase of EUR 17.3 million or 1.5 percent compared to 2018. At EUR 37.5 million, earnings before taxes (EBT) are at the previous year's level. At 3.2%, the EBT margin was just below the previous year's level (3.3%).

In 2019, BLG Logistics once again confirmed its position as one of Europe's leading automotive logistics providers and expanded its network in Europe. A total of 6.3 million vehicles were handled, transported or technically processed in 2019. A very good increase in turnover of over 50 million euros also led to a significant improvement in earnings. Sales revenue in the AUTOMOBILE Division amounted to 603.7 million euros, an increase of 9.1% compared to the previous year. At 19.3 million euros, EBT rose by more than 24 percent compared to the previous year.

The Contract division achieved a stable result despite a slight decline in sales. The financial year closed with turnover of 563.9 million euros. This represents a slight decline compared to the 2018 financial year (599.2 million euros). At the same time, earnings before taxes (EBT) increased by 2.5% to 7.4 million euros. The EBT margin also increased by 8.3% to 1.3%. With new orders and locations in Waiblingen, Meerane, Brandenburg, Ochtrup, Schlüchtern and Geiselwind, BLG Logistics' contract logistics is well positioned for the future.

The Container division of the BLG Group is represented by half of the shares in Eurogate. In the 2019 financial year, the European terminal operating group generated a net profit of EUR 45.5 million (2018: EUR 67.3 million). At EUR 564.6 million, revenue was also down on the previous year (2018: EUR 604.0 million) with a slight overall decline in handling volumes in Germany. Overall, the financial year was characterized by the effects of the wave of consolidation within the shipping company alliances in previous years and the associated changes in the networks.

Looking ahead to the current 2020 financial year, the CEO states: "At present, no one can make any reliable statements about how drastic the effects of the coronavirus crisis will be. Economic research institutes are predicting a 9.8% decline in gross domestic product for the second quarter, which would be twice as big a slump as during the global financial crisis in 2009. In terms of volume, sales and earnings, the impact of the coronavirus crisis will be massive and serious in all areas. However, the figures for 2019 prove that we are in a robust and solid position and will be able to stay on course even in stormy times."

In his speech, Frank Dreeke emphasized that BLG Logistics remains committed to strategic goals such as digitalization and sustainability. The seaport and logistics service provider aims to reduce the company's absolute CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The sustainability report provides information on the measures BLG Logistics has already implemented to achieve its sustainability goals. The seaport and logistics service provider is working on the implementation of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and digital platforms with 100-day projects, 6-month sprints and several years of basic research.