Lagermax orders 300 car transporters

Plus 33.2 percent

The report continues: “The automotive logistics sector is also showing a slowdown in the previously very strong development, and we believe this will continue in the second half of the year (2024).” Along with forwarding and express logistics as well as parcel services, automotive logistics is one of Lagermax’s pillars.

In Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Slovenia, new and used cars are transported for various car manufacturers. Sales from car transport even increased by 33.2 percent last year. There is a lot of investment in this sector.

Order until 2028

“After almost no new purchases of car transporters were possible in recent years, also due to the low production volumes of the three market leaders, we have agreed a long-term supply agreement with our main supplier Kässbohrer for 300 car transporters until 2028,” the company writes.

The automotive logistics division of the subsidiary Frikus was also “very successful” in the past financial year. Synergies were achieved by combining the planning departments of Frikus and Lagermax ATP.

Chinese car manufacturers

“The development of our branch in the port of Koper was also very stable and successful again,” it continues. “Although we are watching the situation in the Red Sea due to piracy by the Houthi rebels with concern, as this is also having a negative impact on import and export traffic.” The port of Koper is also “very popular with Chinese car manufacturers as an entry port from the south.” It remains to be seen to what extent the EU punitive tariffs on cars made in China will affect Lagermax’s business activities.

Magna-Transport

Meanwhile, the subsidiary Frikus transported the BMW 5 Series models that were built by Magna in Graz. Production ended last year. The fact that Frikus was able to win the contract for the releasing agent (shipping agent) for the transport of Fisker’s electric cars, which were produced at Magna, did not last very long. Fisker went bankrupt in May this year.

“This leaves only the production of the Mercedes G-Class, of which we handle about half the logistics,” the management report states. “It remains to be seen for whom Magna will go back into production.”