Newsletter
From 10th to 13th May 2011, BLS Cargo took part in the international Transport & Logistics Fair in Munich, where it had its own stand, devoted to the company’s 10th anniversary. Reflection on past achievements is also BLS Cargo’s motivation to face the challenges of the future and to pioneer new ideas. Together with Bombardier Transportation, BLS Cargo presented one such innovation, the so-called last-mile locomotive, and the benefits it will have for you as a customer of BLS Cargo. The Fair was extremely successful and we would like to thank all our customers, partners and other interested parties for the interest they showed and for the constructive discussions.
The international economy has generally made a good recovery from the crisis of 2008/2009 and BLS Cargo is experiencing a marked increase in demand for its services, which has resulted in a high level of utilisation of its resources. However, substantial currency fluctuations and the weak state of the Euro have irrecoverably eroded margins, not only for BLS Cargo but also the other rail freight operators. Over the last one and a half years, the exchange rate has fallen from 1.51 CHF to 1.16 CHF, resulting in a 30% decline in revenue for the same transport services as before, invoiced in Euros. For the rail operators, this situation is becoming more and more of a threat to their existence and appropriate account will have to be taken of it in price discussions with customers for 2012, since we have to assume that the Euro’s weakness is set to continue for some time to come.
Dr. Dirk Stahl, CEO BLS Cargo AG
Overview
» 1. BLS Cargo at Transport Logistic 2011
» 2. 'Last Mile' Locomotive for BLS Cargo
» 3. "Insights into BLS Cargo AG" series - 4 questions to the CEO
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1. BLS Cargo at Transport Logistic 2011
BLS Cargo attended the international trade fair for logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain management in Munich from 10th to 13th May, where it had its own stand. Apart from networking, attention was focussed on BLS Cargo’s 10th anniversary and the presentation of a new generation of locomotive, the so-called last-mile locomotive.
The international fair “transport logistic” takes place every two years in Munich and is Europe’s most important fair for the transport industry. During the four days, over 50’000 visitors were able to catch up with developments in nine different halls. BLS Cargo was making its fifth appearance and made the most of the opportunity to meet new customers and develop further its contacts with existing customers.
BLS Cargo’s 10th anniversary was the focal point of the stand, where moving images and newspaper headlines from the last ten years projected on a large screen caught people’s attention.
More information on the 10th anniversary of BLS Cargo can be found » here.
BLS Cargo stand at Transport Logistic 2011 (photo: R. Baraké)
On 12th May BLS Cargo hosted an event for major customers and representatives from other railway companies. In his speech CEO Dirk Stahl singled out the four principal cornerstones of BLS Cargo’s success: sustainable and equitable partnership with customers, focus on block trains, specialisation in Alpine transport and cross-border production concepts. “We can look back with satisfaction and pride on what we have achieved” said Dirk Stahl.
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2. ‘Last Mile’ Locomotive for BLS Cargo
Together with Bombardier Transportation, BLS Cargo showcased for the first time an alternating-current locomotive with built-in diesel engine. There was much interest from industry in this new development. The joint presentation with Bombardier enabled BLS Cargo to successfully demonstrate its role as a leading innovator, thanks to the last-mile locomotive.
TRAXX AC locomotive with diesel traction (photo: A. Schelbert)
The last mile locomotive will enable BLS Cargo to access new markets served by private rail siding. BLS Cargo can offer new, innovative and, above all, efficient logistics solutions by rail to its clients in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
With the so-called ‘last mile’ diesel facility, the need to switch locomotives for shunting purposes can now be dispensed with. This new technology offers greater flexibility, for instance in stations, where the current system changes, terminals, ports or factory premises. Generally, the final stretch of track is not electrified in such areas. Up to now, electric locomotives had to be replaced by shunting locomotives in order to complete the logistic chain. Thanks to the new TRAXX AC locomotive with diesel traction for the last mile, a smooth rail freight transport operation is now possible.
From 2014, BLS Cargo will be the first railway undertaking to have three leased locomotives in commercial operation. Prior to this, BLS Cargo technical engineers will be testing the locomotives on the Swiss rail network, working in collaboration with and on behalf of Bombardier.
Your contact person at BLS Cargo:
Wagonload Traffic: Daniel Bertschi, daniel.bertschi@bls.ch
Combined Traffic: Christian Stäubli, christian.staeubli@bls.ch
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3. "Insights into BLS Cargo AG" series – 4 questions to the CEO
Dirk Stahl, CEO of BLS Cargo, is also celebrating his 10th anniversary with the company since it was founded in 2011.
You have been BLS Cargo’s CEO for the last ten years. How has the company changed in this time?
On the one hand, traffic volumes have increased considerably and there has been a rapid expansion of business activities. We started out with a market share of less than 10% of transalpine rail freight and today our share is 43%. On the other hand, we have established services on new transit and domestic routes. Associated with this, there has, of course, been a significant increase in the number of employees, the company has become more structured and aligned to today’s demands.
What for you have been the highlights in the company’s history?
There have been several, e.g. extending our activities to the Gotthard route in 2003 with our own staff located in Erstfeld and Chiasso, setting up the Rolling Highway or the opening of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel in 2007. It was a particularly proud moment that, in the presence of Europe’s railway bosses, members of the Swiss government and through television, members of the public, BLS Cargo was able to run the first official train, one belonging to our long-standing customer and shareholder, Ambrogio, through the tunnel.
As well as these great moments, I have also been able to share many minor highlights in the day-to-day work with colleagues.
What was special about BLS Cargo’s employees 10 years ago?
10 years ago, many of the staff came from to BLS Cargo from BLS’s freight profit centre. We were a very small family unit, which worked well together. Today, personnel differ much more in terms of age, origin and professional background. I’m pleased and proud that we’ve been able to unite so many different people under BLS Cargo’s roof in a common goal. Both yesterday and today, I’m conscious of a huge commitment by staff towards the company and a high degree of identification with their daily work. And ultimately, this has been the foundation for BLS Cargo’s success over the last ten years.
What do you see as being the biggest challenges in the next 10 years?
We need to adjust to the weak Euro in order to ensure we remain competitive and improve our bottom-line results. At the same time, we also need to continually optimize efficiency and the quality of our services and to further expand our cross-border production systems. This means concentrating on providing services which offer our customers the most added value and enable us to use our resources efficiently.
Mr Stahl, thank you for the interview.
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Dirk Stahl has a PhD in economics and has been head of BLS’s cargo division since 2000. He became CEO of BLS Cargo when the company was set up in 2001. He previously worked with DB Cargo, now known as DB Schenker Rail, for 5 years in Mainz. Dirk Stahl is 45 years old, has three daughters and lives with his family in Thun. |
Dr. Dirk Stahl (photo: D. Rihs) |
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