German rail provider Deutsche Bahn is centralising the management teams of its Transportation and Logistics division – DB Schenker – in Frankfurt am Main over the next two years.
The decision, recently taken by the DB Mobility Logistics management board, will mean the 330 members of the teams of the corporate units based in Berlin, Mainz and Essen will now be bundled in the new location close to Frankfurt International Airport.
“As a key international business capital, Frankfurt is an attractive logistics centre,” said Dr Karl-Friedrich Rausch, member of the management board of DB Mobility Logistics responsible for Transportation and Logistics. “Our intention is to expand our international business operations from Frankfurt. The future of logistics is in cost-effective carriers providing cross-sector services for our customers. With management concentrated at one location, we have the optimum conditions to expand. Frankfurt was the obvious choice as a transportation node situated in the heart of Germany and Europe,” Rausch added in an official statement.
The move will involve members of the management board and staff in Berlin, members of the European management of DB Schenker Rail in Mainz and members of DB Schenker Logistics management in Essen.
While the decision is not specific to the company’s automotive business, DB Schenker spokesman Peter Sauer told Automotive Logistics News that automotive is a top target market for rail and logistics and as such will benefit from the positive affect having a central location will bring.
“There is already a close cooperation in this special field that will grow and be intensified,” said Sauer.
“Having to go to Berlin, Essen and Mainz to talk and meet the right people is not so agreeable and convenient for customers,” he added. “Frankfurt will be the place where it will be most likely to meet all the top management at the same time. Thus, Frankfurt will make certain decisions easier, as well as making personal exchange at the top management level more convenient.”
Mainz and Essen will remain as headquarters of DB Schenker Rail Deutschland and Schenker AG.
Last week DB Schenker increased its stake in Spanish rail operator Transfesa by acquiring the 20% owned by SNCF Geodis taking its holding in the automotive parts and finished vehicle transporter to 75%.
