When Diamonds Travel
Interview with Julia Ottmar, Executive Director of Ferrari Logistics Germany GmbH
The global market for luxury goods is continuously growing – this is confirmed by a recent study by the Roland Berger consultancy. By 2030, the market volume is expected to rise to 480 billion EUR. With the growth, customer expectations are also changing; supply chain management is becoming increasingly important. Transparency in the supply chain, security, and speed are becoming crucial factors. For Ferrari Logistics Germany GmbH, a transport and logistics company specialized in luxury goods, these requirements are standard.
Wirtschaftsforum: What exactly does the range of services look like?
Julia Ottmar: We offer customized transport and logistics services for luxury goods by road and air, all services are fully insured. In addition, storage and various logistic handling services are part of our offer. For example, we do events, have onboard couriers, and are available for trade shows; that is, we supply exhibitors, for example at Inhorgenta, with the goods for their trade show booths. These goods are delivered and picked up in special security vehicles. Security services are also a focus at red carpet events or photo shoots which we guard. Another focus is on customs clearances that few competitors can handle. Here we benefit from the professionalism of our own customs department.
Wirtschaftsforum: Are there any other unique features?
Julia Ottmar: We have built a powerful intra-German network for road transport over the past few years, which was particularly advantageous during the Corona times. Thanks to gradual expansion, we are now able to reliably connect all major cities within Germany; the transit time is usually one day. The connection to Switzerland, where many renowned watch and jewelry manufacturers are based, is also excellently developed. What distinguishes us, last but not least, are flexibility and adaptability. No matter what the service is, we develop customer-specific solutions. This flexibility is symbolized by the blue pelican in our logo.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ferrari Group is not the only provider in a competitive market. Why do customers ultimately choose to work with the company?
Julia Ottmar: Our services, where security always plays a central role, are our greatest asset in the market. Customers can rely on a reliable personal contact by their side who accompanies the entire process. Many of our employees have been with the company for years; this creates trust and continuity. These long-term customer relationships, the sustainable growth with customers, are very important to us.
Wirtschaftsforum: Sustainability is one of the big issues of the present. What role does it play for Ferrari Logistics?
Julia Ottmar: Sustainability is important for us both as a company and for our customers, among other things when it comes to reporting, for which a global team is responsible within the group. Here in Germany, we constantly try out new things to keep our CO2 footprint as small as possible. Thus, we use electric vehicles for short distances and work with an online booking portal that drastically reduces paper consumption. In addition, we enable real-time shipment tracking for customers. Also, our deliveries are now 99% digital – via tablet and without paper receipts.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ferrari Logistics has earned an excellent reputation internationally. What are the goals for the future?
Julia Ottmar: We need to work towards making our services even more visible. Many companies know us but are not aware in detail of the range of services we actually cover. Here we need to sharpen our profile.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ms. Ottmar, you have been working for Ferrari Logistics Germany for eight years and have been Executive Director since 2024. Could you briefly outline the core competencies of the company?
Julia Ottmar: Ferrari Logistics is both a forwarding company and a security company. Our focus is on luxury goods such as watches, jewelry, bags, or precious metals, exclusive products that enjoy an excellent reputation worldwide.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ferrari Group is a publicly traded company. How has it developed into the leading international provider of forwarding and logistics solutions for luxury goods that it is today?
Julia Ottmar: Ferrari Group was founded in 1959 in Italy – originally as a customs brokerage and forwarding company. Over the years, we have continuously expanded our range of services and entered new markets, so that today the group is represented with its own branches in more than 60 countries around the world. The location here in Leinfelden-Echterdingen near Stuttgart is a 100% subsidiary of Ferrari Group PLC. Since then, we have seen steady growth. In 2017, we employed 20 people and had five vehicles, today we are a medium-sized company with an annual turnover of 10 million EUR.