Not High and Mighty
Interview with Armin Schikowsky, Managing Partner of AST Air Sea Truck International GmbH
AST Air Sea Truck International GmbH was founded in 1983 in Frankfurt by Dieter Seubert, Armin Schikowsky, Ulrike Lukas-Rother, and Franz Georg Bär. As a small, innovative company, the freight forwarding company has been active in the international sector at Frankfurt Airport for now 40 years and sees its task in providing its clients with qualified advice and optimal services to ensure safe transportation.
The company has built up a global network of contacts with local forwarding agents, airlines, shipping companies, and freight agents over its long history. The managing partner, Armin Schikowsky, looks back with satisfaction: 'We have always been financially stable. The fact that we are small and therefore flexible and quick has carried us through all these years – even now, when the mood in Germany is rather depressive and the government regulations do not make it easy for companies,' he explains. Being a niche provider of sea, air, and road freight services at Frankfurt Airport is comfortable, he says. 'We are often the emergency forwarder. In addition to our experience and reliability, our customers value our stable staff, which now numbers 17 employees and consistent contact persons.'
Safe and Fast to Distant Countries
The transports to be carried out to all regions of the world are often urgent. A shipment from a German client has just been handled from Hong Kong to the USA. Even when it comes to exotic countries, the recipient does not have to wait long, as speed is a priority at AST. Therefore, the focus is also on air freight, explains Armin Schikowsky: "Sea freight is more sustainable, but it takes time and requires long-term planning." As an international freight forwarding company, the AST team also knows the specific conditions and problems in each country and can thus help the customer assess the potential and risks of a market and develop appropriate solutions.
"Through years of experience and stays in the respective countries, we have acquired invaluable expertise. We offer a complete package that includes customs clearance," says Armin Schikowsky, mentioning an important point. A large part of the deliveries go to Brazil.
"This is where we are particularly strong. Ad-hoc shipments worldwide, to countries like the USA or China, are our daily business." Many of the small competitors who started with AST no longer exist today, reports the Managing Director, explaining why the company is still successful in the market: "We have a good reputation and have always been diligent, quick, flexible, and reliable. Other strengths include our enthusiasm, the personal rapport with our customers and partners, and our deep commitment."
Continuity for the Future
After the death of the founder, her father Dieter Seubert, the current main shareholder Ulrike Lukas-Rother is leading the company into the third generation. By now, a young, dynamic team is on board. Alongside Armin Schikowsky, Jens Krumpschmid, who has been with the company for more than 25 years, has been appointed as another managing director. The daughters of Ulrike Lukas-Rother also hold leading positions in the company.
Overall, AST Air Sea Truck has grown from 12 employees in 2016 to 17 employees. For Armin Schikowsky, fulfilling his responsibility towards the employees is a major concern. In times of staff shortage, it is about retaining employees with good working conditions such as the option of home office. He is still personally excited by the challenge: \