Success Strategies in Advertising Logistics
Interview with Sebastian Noy, Managing Director of Prowerb Advertising and Mailing Service GmbH
In recent years, Prowerb Advertising and Mailing Service GmbH has evolved from a classic printing and letter shop into a versatile service provider. Under the leadership of Sebastian Noy, Managing Director since 2014, the company now offers comprehensive solutions for e-commerce, trade fair, and event logistics. In conversation with Sebastian Noy, we learn more about the exciting developments and future plans of Prowerb GmbH.
Since Sebastian Noy took over as CEO from his father in 2014, Prowerb Werbe- und Versandservice GmbH has diversified significantly. Originally started as a printing and lettershop, today this area accounts for just under one third of the business. Instead, the company has opened up new business fields such as trade fair and event logistics and has further strengthened the area of POS fulfillment, achieving considerable growth.
Innovative Business Fields and Expansion
Under the leadership of Sebastian Noy, Prowerb has not only opened up new business fields but also significantly expanded its infrastructure. "We have continuously enlarged our halls since the early years and completed a new building with 25,000 sqm in 2022," explains Sebastian Noy. With 50,000 own pallet spaces and additional rented warehouses, the company is well prepared to meet increasing requirements. Another goal is to expand the storage area by purchasing a new plot of land, which is currently under negotiation.
Prowerb offers customized solutions for various industries. Particularly noteworthy is the advertising material logistics, which ranges from hospitality glasses to personalized folding rulers. "We have had an advertising technology department for a year now that prints smaller runs," says Sebastian Noy. The company is particularly proud of its sustainable approaches. "We also advise our clients on sustainability and offer products that do not need to be transported far or are based on oil."
Digitization is highly valued at Prowerb. Where pick lists were used in the past, the picking process is now fully digitized. "Tablets and scanners control the packaging sizes and can determine by weighing whether something is missing," explains Sebastian Noy. Another technological innovation is the introduction of an online ticket system for better customer support.
Technology and Employee Orientation
The corporate culture at Prowerb is characterized by high personal responsibility and low turnover. "Our employees are able to design their own workplaces and are actively involved in decision-making processes," emphasizes Sebastian Noy. Regular company events such as summer parties and joint soccer evenings promote cohesion and identification with the company. The longest-serving employee has been with the company for 37 years, underscoring the low turnover.
Prowerb employs a total of 185 employees, 70% of whom work in the warehouse. Automation is a challenge due to the different textures and low standardization of items. Promotional shipping displays need to be folded, which is done manually.
With an annual turnover of 26 million EUR, Prowerb primarily serves the German market. "Our customers use us to serve the German market. With one customer, we are also looking into Belgium," explains Sebastian Noy. This year, Prowerb has established a department for advertising material procurement that focuses on the purchase of promotional materials.
Future Perspectives and Visions
With a clear focus on continuous development and acquiring new customers, Prowerb looks to the future with optimism. "Our goal is to continuously grow with existing customers and to open up new markets," says Sebastian Noy. The advertising media market has a volume of three billion EUR, and Prowerb plans to further expand its share in it. Sustainability remains a central theme. "We have our own sustainability report and are continuously working on improving our CO2 footprint," adds Sebastian Noy.
With projects like CO2-neutral shipping for Coca-Cola, Prowerb sets standards in the industry. "Our main task is strategic development and distribution," adds Sebastian Noy. The company has already produced its third sustainability report, and with a PV system on the roof, Prowerb is not only CO2-neutral but CO2-positive. Digitization saves 5,000 sheets of paper per employee annually and reduces air pollution.
"Last year, we made our first CO2-neutral shipment with Coca-Cola, which distinguishes us from our competitors," says Sebastian Noy proudly. Prowerb primarily uses B2B online shops, which they program themselves using Magento. "This only makes sense if the customer is big enough. We can also connect with our customers' shops, but we prefer to have full control over the process," explains Sebastian Noy.