Haeger & Schmidt Logistics (HSL) has established a new division called iCargo Solutions. Its focus is on building digital, resilient supply chain solutions. “Our goal is to offer our customers holistic logistics solutions from a single source, incorporating our growing network,” summarizes Stefan Hütten, HSL CDO.
The team, currently consisting of five employees, is extended depending on the projects with people from the various existing HSL divisions. Thus, expertise from the different areas such as Intermodal, Shipping & Forwarding, Port Logistics, Inland Navigation, Shortsea and Projects will flow into the newly formed think tank. “We don’t think in terms of transport segments, but in terms of global solutions for the complete supply chain,” explains Hütten. To this end, he says, the team will make use of the services of the HSL Group spread now over twelve locations.
Further supply chain management services will be mapped with partners. These include important players such as the parent company Felbermayr with its expertise in heavy lift logistics as well as PSA, with which HSL is linked via the joint venture PSA Breakbulk in Antwerp. Following PSA BDP’s acquisition of the U.S. logistics service provider BDP International (BDP), there is a link to the global network with almost 300 offices in 132 countries.
Hütten outlines the goal of iCargo Solutions as follows: “By combining existing expertise with digital solutions and agile working, the aim is to acquire new customers, open up further segments and thus further develop the product portfolio, especially with regard to international concepts.”
Digitalization will also play an important role in this context. The partners involved will be linked via an IT platform in the future. All relevant details will be transparent and available in real time for holistic supply chain planning, says Hütten.
The HSL Group, which now has more than 250 employees, has developed strongly, especially since Felbermayr’s involvement ten years ago, and is very well positioned throughout Europe in many individual segments such as intermodal container hinterland transport, shortsea and projects. “The bundling of these strengths, the development of further potential, also internationally, are our next goals,” Hütten sums it up.
