Since the company’s inception in 1974, Quick Cargo Service (QCS) has always seized opportunities when they arose, to grow the business and its network. Meanwhile, its pan-European network consists of 23 stations stretching across 9 countries. And that does not yet appear to be the end of the journey that the family-owned logistics company has embarked on.
Quick Cargo’s shopping spree in Eastern Europe continues. After setting up branch offices in Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia in summer, the management is considering establishing additional stations in Prague, Czech Republic, and Vienna, Austria, as CEO, Stephan Haltmayer indicated to CargoForwarder Global at the recent TIACA Air Cargo Forum in Miami.
“Eastern Europe has become an important industrial production site and consumer market,” Mr. Haltmayer points out. This all the more since many Western companies decided to reduce their
China involvement and invest in places that they consider to be industrial and financial safe havens, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and most eastern European countries.
Family-run company
The important role the company meanwhile plays in European logistics became apparent in Miami at TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum. There, QCS was part of the official German delegation led by
Parliamentary State Secretary, Oliver Luksic of the Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport. This is by no means a coincidence as it is legitimized by performance and figures: According to
IATA’s ranking, QCS is one of the top ten air freight players in Germany and – next to Kuehne+Nagel or Dachser – one of the largest family-run companies within that leading group. No wonder that
Mr. Luksic visited the QCS booth immediately after the opening of the Trade Show and spoke with the company’s representatives about their service portfolio and future ambitions. “Welcoming
the top politician at our booth, explaining our business and visions, was a special honor for us and makes us proud,” enthuses CEO Stephan Haltmayer.
Air freight is on top
Air freight traditionally plays the main role at QCS, followed by ocean freight and other logistics services. Last year, tonnage grew by more than 20%, although Head of Cargo, Oliver Krautter
does not reveal further figures for reasons of competition. Only this much: of the goods transported by QCS, air freight accounts for roughly 60% of all German exports by value, with North
America and the Far East being the key markets. In terms of products, machinery parts, automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals dominate. Mr. Haltmayer cites Mexico, Peru, and Brazil with its
industrial stronghold Sao Paulo, as particular growth areas for his company’s business.
Multi-tasker
Three QCS specialists are on the road every month, keeping an eye out for suitable takeover candidates that might complement the organic growth. They look at candidates, make contacts and thus
open doors for possible M&As, Stephan Haltmayer explains.
Quite frequently, he personally slips into the role of a potential buyer - one of several functions he performs in addition to his management duties at QCS. Another such role is the association
with the Aerospace Logistics Group, a multinational club of 75+ members that provide value added logistics services 24/7/365, specifically meeting the needs of the aviation and aerospace
industries, such as in the case of an AOG, for example.
Heiner Siegmund
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