Logistics Pioneer with Family Tradition
Interview with Marc-André Fritz, Managing Director of Fritz GmbH & Co. KG
Fritz GmbH from Heilbronn demonstrates that medium-sized values and modern logistics solutions can perfectly harmonize. With a broad range of services from automotive to hazardous materials, the family business navigates safely through uncertain times while focusing on innovation and customer proximity.
Since 1938, the name Fritz has stood for reliable logistics and forwarding services in the Heilbronn region. Now in its fourth generation, led by Marc-André Fritz, the company has developed into a versatile player in the logistics industry. With approximately 700 employees, a fleet of 250 vehicles, and an annual sales of 80 million EUR, Fritz GmbH serves customers far beyond the borders of Germany. "We are very service-driven," Marc-André Fritz explains in an interview with Wirtschaftsforum. "When a customer comes to us with a requirement, we try to make it definitely possible." This flexibility is reflected in the wide range of services: From classic forwarding to contract logistics, to storage and the transportation of hazardous materials, Fritz covers a wide field. The company is particularly proud of its expertise in hazardous goods. The company has a patented transport box that can transport critically defective lithium-ion batteries, and manages a total of about 30,000 m2 of hazardous substance area. "We are allowed to store everything except radioactive materials and explosives," Marc-André Fritz elaborates. This specialization, coupled with the ability to transport the stored goods themselves, represents a special competitive advantage. In the automotive sector, Fritz GmbH has also made a name for itself. The company is involved in just-in-sequence and just-in-time delivery.
Digitalization in the Logistics Industry
Fritz GmbH is investing in the digitalization of its processes. A current major project is the conversion of the transport management system. At the same time, the company is focusing on paperless processes and digital accounting, but occasionally runs into the limits of customer requirements and legal regulations. Special attention is paid to avoiding media discontinuity. "This is always a major issue for us, because if something is in digital form, then is processed analogously, and finally has to become digital again, it can lead to problems, just as when the individual systems are not connected," emphasizes the managing director.
Mastering Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
Despite its successes, Fritz GmbH faces challenges. The shortage of skilled workers drives the company to innovative solutions: from modernized office workplaces, flexible working time models, to competitive salaries, a lot is being done to remain attractive to employees. "We have even modified office workplaces completely with shared-desk functions. Although we can also work from home, we also have modern offices equipped with air conditioning and height-adjustable desks," explains Marc-André Fritz. He emphasizes the flat hierarchies and the great scope for action that employees enjoy in the company. General economic uncertainty and extensive bureaucracy in Germany also concern the managing director. "We still do not question the business location Germany today," says Marc-André Fritz, "but one notices from various customers that they indeed do." As an example, Marc-André Fritz mentions a current new construction project on the agenda of Fritz GmbH: "We have already spent one and a half years gathering everything necessary just to be able to submit the building application. It starts with soil borings, continues with flood calculations, and so on and so forth." He compares this with the situation in other countries: "In the time it takes us to just go through the permitting process, others have already built it.
Future Perspectives: Stability and Growth
For Fritz GmbH, ensuring high quality and flexibility for its customers is paramount. "Our main goal is to continue to ensure high quality for our customers and to maintain our flexibility," emphasizes Marc-André Fritz. In addition to the ongoing transformation of the transportation management system, the company plans significant capacity expansions. "We have several expansion projects in the pipeline, with which we want to significantly increase our capacities," reveals the managing director. Fritz GmbH's broad setup, with customers from the chemical industry, industrial sector, and food sector, both regionally and internationally, proves to be a strategic advantage. "We serve customers from China across India to France," explains Fritz. This diversification has proven particularly valuable in recent years. "In the last few years, we have gone through many downturns – be it due to Corona or the Ukraine crisis. It's just something that must be said, economically as well," reflects Fritz. "That is exactly why it is important for us to achieve and maintain a certain stability." Fritz GmbH's strategy of combining medium-sized values with modern technology and a broad customer portfolio pays off in this respect. With its focus on digitalization, proximity to customers, and flexibility, Fritz GmbH is well equipped to meet future challenges.