Interviews

Transad’s Evolving Logistics Strategies

Friday, 26 January, 2024 Food From Poland 42/2024
Agnieszka Sikora, Transport and Logistics Specialist shares insights on Transad’s remarkable growth: from two trucks to a robust fleet, tackling economic instabilities and emerging stronger in international transport.
Transad has been offering its services for over 17 years. How has the company developed over this time? What potential do you currently have?

From the beginning, Transad was a small transport company that built its power using its own resources. Over the years, we have faced all adversities and opened new opportunities for the clients we serve, building relationships and focusing primarily on people. We have never closed ourselves to new opportunities or challenges presented to us by our clients and the changing world. We started with 2 truck sets, currently we have a fleet of over 70 vehicles and 90 refrigerated trailers, which allow us to serve our customers even more and adapt to their needs. We have the most modern equipment available on the market, as well as a specialized goods security system.

In addition to great equipment, we attach great importance to people. The staff puts great emphasis on both the company’s and their own development. Through the desire to improve our own work and to meet the needs of our clients, we constantly improve our qualifications and skills. At the same time, we ensure the right atmosphere and mutual support in achieving our goals. We are not separate individuals, we are a group that supports, helps and encourages each other in our daily work.

How do you assess the economic situation in Poland and around the world in the context of the condition of the logistics industry? What challenges are you currently facing in international transport?

Every year is different, and recent years have not been kind to Polish entrepreneurs in the service industry. Starting from 2020 and 2021, i.e. the pandemic and related restrictions, continuing through 2022 and the Russian-Ukrainian war, which caused a number of consequences, through economic upheaval, skyrocketing prices of everyday products, and ending with a large wave of people who were also looking for work. 2023 started quite well, but the second half showed how shaky this market is. We noticed a lot of companies that were respectable players in the industry, which from moment to moment lost liquidity and thus ended their operations, leaving smaller enterprises that survived only thanks to them without funds. There was not a week when forwarding or transport companies announced their problems and lack of solvency in the media. This caused smaller companies to cease to exist or barely function. Moreover, many neighboring countries imposed additional, much higher road toll rates, which had an even greater impact on the decline in companies’ profitability. The last weeks of 2023 showed that Polish entrepreneurs are fed up with unequal treatment of companies, significant favoritism, and silent acceptance of the gray zone. Numerous demonstrations and border strikes reported in the media show how people are fed up with favoritism and ruthless exploitation of the situation for their own benefits.

Do these challenges also include the optimization of logistics processes? In what areas are you particularly working on increasing efficiency, reducing costs and improving processes?

We are constantly improving logistics processes, we are trying to figure out each individual branch and we are constantly striving to operate in the most economical way possible. We carry out activities aimed at the development of warehouse processes, fleet equipment, appropriate tools in the service area, as well as the development of new delivery options for customers in order to expand the area of operation and introduce new solutions.

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How do you build a competitive advantage on the market?

For several years, we have noticed that Polish entrepreneurs are opening up to trade with Asian countries as well as those from the Far and Middle East, thus looking for various forms of transport of their products. Hence, through a network of various contacts, we are able to offer almost any type of transport available in the world. Nothing is impossible for us, some of us may need a little more time, but we will certainly not leave anyone without an answer or a ready solution.

Please tell us more about sea transport. What are the benefits and advantages?

Sea transport is not a highly developed branch in Poland. Even though we are a coastal country, our infrastructure and awareness have not yet matured enough to use this type of transport and make the most of it. There is little courage among Polish companies to invest in trade with countries that are separated by a significant distance. Additionally, there is great fear of what is unknown, which is why we make every effort to make our customers aware of the benefits of sea transport. First of all, it allows you to expand your portfolio of clients/recipients, reach unknown markets with your own product, and expand the company’s promotion and operating range. The world absorbs what is new and different - people just need to have access to it.

What types of goods can be transported in containers? Can these also be food products?

Virtually every type of product is transported, from pens to fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, as well as meat and dairy products. Of course, maintaining full conditions of controlled temperature - as well as humidity and ventilation levels. Equipping containers with monitoring devices allows for ongoing monitoring of the condition of transported products.

Thank you.
Monika Książek



tagi: Transad , logistics , food market , sales , trade , consumer , FMCG , wholesale , retail , food products , news , new products , food industry , retail chains , grocery stores , Poland ,