KUALA LUMPUR: DB Schenker, the global leader in supply chain management and logistics solutions, is setting the pace to innovate supply chains in Malaysia and making them more sustainable.
"In the past, supply chains were fragmented and there was hardly any visibility, but it is different today. DB Schenker's Chief Executive Officer for Malaysia and the Southeast Asia Cluster, Robert Reiter, said.
"We continue to implement many innovative solutions in Malaysia to make full supply chain visibility and integration possible," he told The New Straits Times.
"When DB Schenker Malaysia started its operations in Malaysia, the economy was small with little international freight.
"There were not many international (logistics) companies active in the country. Today, Malaysia has grown into an economic powerhouse, and we have grown alongside," he said.
In 2016, DB Schenker in Malaysia was certified by the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) as an international integrated logistics services (IILS) provider.
In 2021, the company received the Ministry of Finance (MoF) License Treasury Registrations, a prerequisite to participate in the government sector and semi-government projects and contracts.
The company continues to expand in Malaysia. Recently, DB Schenker Malaysia introduced an alternative land transportation service, from Malaysia to Thanaleng in Laos by train thanks to a successful collaboration with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB).
"A further connection with our DB Schenker network in China will allow for seamless transport of cargo from Vientiane in Laos to Kunming in China.
"Thereon, we have our regular rail schedules that will further connect into Europe through DB Schenker's product called Eurasia," said Robert.
Robert also said that the company is proud to have such a long history in Malaysia, supporting the economic growth of the country since decades.
"We have the scale and network to support Malaysian businesses everywhere in the country. We have companies, ranging from global blue-chip accounts to small and medium-sized businesses, as our customers," he said.
Touching on DB Schenker Malaysia's community-related initiatives, Robert said the company continues to support businesses in difficult times.
"During the pandemic, our warehouses remained open and our truck drivers were on the road every day to handle urgent deliveries.
"During the flooding beginning of the year, our trucks have been delivering food and essential household items to the flooded areas.
"With over 40 years of experience in Malaysia, we have been able to respond quickly to the lockdown measures and minimize the impact for Malaysian businesses," Robert said.
This year, DB Schenker celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Since it shipped its first cargo in 1872, the firm has grown to become one of the world's most successful providers of transportation and logistics services.
It has also established a significant presence in 130 countries around the globe.
DB Schenker is present in Malaysia since 1979 and currently employs 2,400 logistics professionals.
DB Schenker in Malaysia operates 28 warehouses in Peninsular Malaysia, with a footprint of more than 2.8 million square feet in 13 locations.
"150 years is an important milestone for the company to celebrate," said DB Schenker's Chief Executive Officer for Malaysia and the Southeast Asia Cluster, Robert Reiter.
"I'm proud of our activities in Malaysia. We have a rich history in logistics. We now use our knowledge to continuously work on our technologies, services and innovations to improve our customers' supply chains in the most efficient and sustainable way," he said in a statement.
The campaign theme is '150 Years Elevating Lives'. To celebrate the anniversary, DB Schenker in Malaysia has planned several activities.
To recap the history, DB Schenker was founded by Gottfried Schenker on July 1, 1872, in Vienna, Austria.
His approach of combining individual shipments to consolidated consignments was a game-changing innovation at that time.
Building on this legacy, the company's reach has expanded around the globe and into all modes of transport, including Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Land Transport, and Contract Logistics.
Over the years, the company continued to innovate its business and operations through three pillars: people, innovation, and sustainability.
From high quality logistics services to advanced technology, the company continues to provide customers with the competitive advantage they require to operate successfully in today's global market.
DB Schenker implemented sustainability as a core business practice and currently focusses on optimizing existing supply chains to reduce the environmental footprint.
"By integrating sustainability principles into everything we do, we are committing ourselves to be sustainability leaders and socially responsible business partners in the global community," Robert said.
Based on today's knowledge-based economy, DB Schenker employees are the organisation's most critical assets.
As an international logistics company, DB Schenker depends on having a competent, diverse, and well-trained workforce.
"As we start our next 150 years, we view this as a tremendous opportunity to connect families, friends, co-workers, and clients. Re-evaluating the crucial role they play in our success and how we can elevate their lives even more," said Robert Reiter.
For this illustrious 150th anniversary, DB Schenker will hold various events for employees, customers, and business partners.
The focus of the celebrations is a global employee competition, where through employee involvement, the company will donate up to 1.5 million euros to charities. DB Schenker's employees can count their steps and track sporting and mental activities via a dedicated smartphone app.
There will also be a special customer appreciation event later in the year and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to give back to the community.