Transport company VCHD Cargo has announced preliminary results of its operations in the year 2021- the Group’s sales rose to more than one billion crowns. In the Czech Republic, VCHD Cargo recorded a 17 percent growth, while in Germany the company achieved a nearly 60 percent increase in sales. The German transport company Völker Logistik, as last year’s acquisition of VCHD Cargo, reported sales of CZK 97 millions. In total, the VCHD Cargo Group handled more than 38,400 shipments to more than 4,800 destinations across Europe last year.
In the previous years, VCHD Cargo strengthened its personnel in order to increase its market share in the Czech Republic and Germany, the largest European logistics market. In 2021, it reaped the rewards of its growth strategy despite a volatile freight market. In the Czech Republic, its sales amounted to CZK 853 millions. The company achieved this 17 % growth through new acquisitions, winning orders from parcel providers and manufacturing companies. At the same time, it grew together with its existing customers, especially in the logistics sector. “The year 2021 continued to be affected by the impact of the coronavirus crisis and we are pleased that we managed to achieve such good economic results despite this,” says Ing. Per Kozel, CEO and Chairman of the Board of VCHD Cargo, and adds, “We are particularly pleased that we have managed to maintain the high quality of our services despite the unfavourable labour market conditions. I believe we owe this to our family-oriented approach to business and our employees, as well as our long-term business strategy.”
In Germany, the company was able to achieve a huge percentage increase in turnover – 59 % to a total of CZK 73 millions through its subsidiary VCHD Cargo GmbH. The high double-digit jump in sales was driven by organic growth in the form of new orders, particularly in the transport of swap bodies. VCHD Cargo’s new acquisition, the German company Völker Logistik, also closed the year with positive results, generating sales of CZK 97 million. “Germany is another strategic market for us, which we entered two years ago with the establishment of a subsidiary,” says Petr Kozel, adding that “the integration of the family-owned transport company Völker Logistik last year also enables us to offer even more services to German customers, especially in the area of German regional transport.”
Investment in technology and human resources
In 2021, VCHD Cargo invested in the development of its branches, fleet and employees. At the branch in Havlíčkův Brod, the reconstruction of the administrative and staff facilities was completed and the exterior landscaping around the branch was carried out. A new parking lot for trucks was built at the company’s headquarters in Kladno. A substantial part of VCHD Cargo’s investments was also allocated to the renewal of the vehicle fleet. Last year, the company acquired 71 new vehicles worth a total of EU 5 millions and for the first time also included swap bodies in its own fleet. “We carry out more than 3,200 shipments every month and guarantee delivery within 24/48 hours to almost any destination in Europe. We therefore need reliable technology,” explains Petr Kozel, adding, “which is why we keep the average age of our vehicles around 3 years. However, the chip crisis and the very long delivery times of our trucks made the fleet renewal process significantly more difficult.” VCHD Cargo’s investment strategy last year also included the digitisation of processes in order to reduce the administrative burden on its employees, especially drivers, and to further improve transport planning and communication with customers through the acquisition of high-quality data.
The year 2022 will also be a year of investment for VCHD Cargo. The company will further develop its transport and forwarding services this year and, if not negatively influenced in terms of vehicle availability and delivery times, will purchase dozens of new trucks and trailers. Further employee support is also planned. “This year we will continue to invest in our people,” emphasises Petr Kozel and concludes, “we want them to feel comfortable with us, we respect the fact that drivers in particular have a demanding job and we will continue to try to make their work easier and create comfortable conditions for them to perform their work. We will also support their training.”