Freitag, 15. Februar 2013

TRANSPOREON growing worldwide


2012 was a year of expansion for the Ulm-based TRANSPOREON Group – in Germany, Europe and worldwide. In addition to opening an office in Berlin, the German capital, the company tapped into four new markets: Turkey, Russia, the USA and Asia. TRANSPOREON asserted itself as the European market leader for “e-logistics” solutions in 2012. These are web-based logistics platforms that allow companies to link up with their carriers. The TRANSPOREON  Group is one of Germany’s 20 fastest-growing technology companies by sales and turnover.
The TRANSPOREON Group is satisfied with its progress in 2012. “We achieved a great deal despite the instability of the economy,” states Managing Director Peter Förster. The revenues of the Ulm-based group since it was founded in the year 2000 have risen annually by double-digit percentage rates. Last year the TRANSPOREON Group generated revenues of around 24 million euros, representing growth of 20 percent.
Accountancy firm Deloitte recognised this in November 2012 when it ranked TRANSPOREON in the Deloitte Fast 50, a list of Germany’s 50 fastest-growing technology companies. The TRANSPOREON Group actually made it into the top 20. TRANSPOREON's customers include companies such as Eckes Granini, Fressnapf and ArcelorMittal. Among the company’s new customers in 2012 were Ferrero, Nestlé Foods Spain, OBI in Poland and a project with Coca-Cola in China.
Investments in new markets and technologies
In order to secure further growth, the TRANSPOREON Group made investments in new markets and in further developing the platform in 2012. Previously, the company was represented in 22 countries, above all in Europe. In addition, it took on projects in the USA, Russia and Asia. The company will be increasing its presence in these markets in future. Consequently, the TRANSPOREON Group opened offices in Philadelphia, Moscow and Singapore last year. TRANSPREON also managed to win its first orders from customers in Turkey.
With regard to the technology, TRANSPOREON continued to develop its platforms, including mobile applications. The primary focus here was on carriers and drivers, who are to be even better integrated in the processes in future. “As far as we are concerned, it is not just the companies that need to ship goods who are our customers. We also want to gain the acceptance of carriers – and hold onto it. The system only works if everyone benefits,” says Steve Hicks, UK Country Manager for TRANSPOREON.
Recruiting and keeping staff
TRANSPOREON also has challenges to face up to. “We are growing fast. In 2012 our staff numbers grew by 18 percent to over 260. First we had to bring TRANSPOREON to the attention of these people, then we had to convince them to join us and integrate them well. We will continue to work on that in 2013,” explains Förster. They are not short of ideas about how to do it. As well as running its own football team, TRANSPOREON lets involved locally in Ulm, supporting the city’s Constitution Day celebrations, cultural events at the Roxy and the Ratiopharm Ulm basketball team. The company has a number of Facebook pages that allow it to establish and maintain contact with prospects and applicants. “An interesting job with international opportunities and the chance to live in Ulm – for many applicants these are the attractions of working for TRANSPOREON”, says Förster. He is confident that the company will again be looking to recruit new staff in 2013. “We are convinced that our investments will pay off. The TRANSPOREON Group expects double-digit growth again this year.” Given the current outlook in both the company’s home market of Europe and overseas markets, Förster’s forecast is by no means unrealistic.
About TRANSPOREON
TRANSPOREON is a web-based logistics platform that links industrial and trading companies with their logistics partners. The name says it all: TRANSPOREON is a word coined by combining “transport” with “emporeon”, an ancient Greek word describing a place of trade. The TRANSPOREONGroup was established in 2000, and is now considered the leader in the European market for electronic logistics platforms, enjoying a high degree of acceptance among shippers and carriers. The Group includes TRANSPOREON GmbH with its head office in Ulm, Ticontract GmbH, which specialises in shipping tenders, and Mercareon GmbH, established in 2010 to provide electronic logistics solutions specifically for the retail industry.

Thanks to Gitte Willemsens for this article.