The Serbian economy’s development is one of the most dynamic in the region. The Serbian market is being boosted every day, with new manufacturers locating their facilities in the country
This growth is also influenced by negotiations between Belgrade and the European Union regarding membership by 2020.
GEFCO is a renowned global company with extensive experience in the transport and logistics sector. Considering that you’ve only been doing business in this region for a few years, how would you evaluate market movements in the region when it comes to the development of the transport and logistics sector?
– For logistics providers, as well as transport services companies, there are an endless variety of opportunities. All companies understand that. That’s why we can find new names on the lists of logistics providers operating in Serbia on an almost daily basis. This way, on top of stunning growth possibilities, a logistics provider in Serbia also faces the challenge of improving/ perfecting its offer, due to conditions dictated by tough competition.
You offer services on the basis of the “turnkey” principle, from initial pickup to final delivery, whilst adhering to the highest standards in this domain. How has GEFCO’s infrastructure been created, considering that you provide transport services in all forms – road, rail, ship and air?
– Our hub in Serbia is situated at our central office in Belgrade. All transport solutions for our clients are built, implemented and monitored from there. On top of this, we work in close cooperation with other GEFCO subsidiaries in the Balkans, Western and Eastern Europe, and the rest of the GEFCO network.
In this way, we involve our “sister companies” for flows consolidation, sourcing transporters or obtaining some specific know-how. To give you an example, in order to prepare a Serbia-Germany rail link solution for a client, we worked for several weeks together with our colleagues from Germany, Slovakia, Czechia and Hungary, with the project being implemented by our Rail & MM Coordinator, who is based in Germany. And we can give many similar examples. We see our strength in this ability to use our network and to combine global and local approaches.
Whether road or rail transportation, air or ocean freight, packaging, customs or warehousing, we have the advantage of controlling the entire supply chain of any sector for any client
Which standards provide the basis for GEFCO’s operations?
– GEFCO has strong expertise, allowing it to set up seamless intercontinental door-to-door flows. Whether it is road or rail transport, air or ocean freight, packaging, customs or warehousing, we have the advantage of controlling the entire supply chain of any sector for any client. Our standards are based on security and effective management of flows, with constant attention paid to quality and efficiency.
Which GEFCO services are particularly attractive for clients in Serbia and the region?
– Integrated logistics solutions, involving road transportations, represent the biggest part in the range of services we provide to our customers. This situation is innate not only for Serbia but also for other subsidiaries in the region.
We have a strong know-how in rail transport. When compared to road transport, rail is safer, more flexible, more cost efficient (if the transportation model is properly built) and, most importantly, it is harmless for the environment – helping to reduce carbon emissions. This is why in Serbia and the Balkans we often offer our clients rail solutions as an alternative to road transport.
We often design transportation solutions schemes to/from Russia and ex-CIS countries because this direction is one of the most interesting for Serbian exporters and importers and because GEFCO has a strong foothold in this area.