The company is thus continuing its growth trajectory of recent years. "The decisive factor for the positive balance sheet was that we remained flexible and fully operational even during the coronavirus crisis - at all locations worldwide. Despite repeated lockdown phases and a global shortage of freight space, we were always able to offer our customers suitable transport solutions. Our employees have performed outstandingly under difficult conditions," says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss.

The company set a milestone in the digitalization process in 2020 with the launch of the new myGW customer portal. The online platform enables direct access to all Gebrüder Weiss services and provides information on transport and logistics orders in real time. "Our digital strategy 'Best of Both Worlds' - combining physical and digital expertise - has proven successful, especially now during the crisis. We were able to show that we are both a reliable and innovative logistics partner. The positive customer feedback reinforces our strategic direction," says Wolfram Senger-Weiss. The customer portal is currently in use in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. Expansion to other countries is planned for this year.

Global network of locations expanded
Gebrüder Weiss also continued on its path of internationalization in 2020: In the air and sea freight sector, Gebrüder Weiss consolidated its location structure in Germany and completed its market entry in Poland, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. "The expansions were realized remotely almost everywhere due to the reduced travel options. This was a particular challenge for the respective teams, but they were able to successfully overcome it using digital communication tools," says Senger-Weiss. The international network now comprises 170 branches in 35 countries and 7,400 employees (full-time equivalent). In total, the logistics company invested over 70 million euros in the expansion of its locations and IT infrastructure as well as in acquisitions. The equity ratio remains stable at over 60 percent, a key reason for the company's strength in the crisis and its ability to develop further despite difficult conditions.

Gebrüder Weiss is also pursuing clear goals in its sustainability strategy:_{CO2 emissions}are to be reduced by ten percent annually, and the company aims to be_CO2-neutral by 2030. This is to be achieved with even more photovoltaic systems on the company's own logistics terminals and the increased use of alternative truck drives such as electric, gas or hydrogen. In addition to these measures, Gebrüder Weiss has been offering its customers the option of offsetting emissions through certified climate protection projects since last year.

The volatile economic situation of the past year is reflected in the sales development of the individual business units: Due to the restrictions and some plant closures on the customer side, especially in the second quarter, the overland transport and logistics segment recorded a decline of 4.3 percent to EUR 1.10 billion (2019: EUR 1.15 billion). Increased demand in online retail led to a 29% increase in shipments in the home delivery segment (1.37 million shipments in 2020), making Gebrüder Weiss the market leader in Austria and several Eastern European countries. In air and sea freight, sales increased by 23.7 percent to EUR 470 million (2019: EUR 380 million). In addition to the good business development, especially in air freight, the acquisition of Ipsen Logistics had a positive effect here. In an extremely challenging environment, DPD Austria, whose co-partner is Gebrüder Weiss Parcel Service (GWP), transported more than 57 million parcels. This corresponds to an increase of more than ten percent, which was successfully shouldered during the coronavirus crisis.