From Road Haulage to 360-Degree Logistics Provider

Interview with Stephan Platzer, Managing Director of Wenzel Logistics GmbH

Wenzel Logistics GmbH Managing Director
Managing Directors Norbert Wenzel and Stephan Platzer (from left to right)

Just over 25 years ago, Wenzel Logistics started as a conventional road freight forwarding company. The company has since significantly expanded its range of services, with a particular focus on the future importance of intermodal transport. Managing Director Stephan Platzer outlines the key benefits of this approach in an interview with Wirtschaftsforum.

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Platzer, in 2023 Wenzel Logistics was fortunate to celebrate its 25th company anniversary during a particularly turbulent time for the logistics industry!

Stephan Platzer: Especially during the peak phases of the coronavirus crisis, our company also had to handle significant spikes in orders before the volume decreased again in 2023 – it was all the more important for us to stay true to our core competencies while also pursuing comprehensive diversification. We see this as a crucial pillar on which we want to build our future. After all, in the first 25 years of its existence, Wenzel Logistics underwent rapid growth from a rather conventional road freight forwarder to a 360-degree logistics provider. As a partner in the groupage network Systempo, we are now able to deliver consignments within 24 hours throughout Austria and, in addition to our core business of road freight transport across Europe and sea freight and special transport departments, we also have a strong focus on intermodal transport.

Wirtschaftsforum: The shift of traffic from road to rail is to be encouraged politically as part of a better sustainability record - how open are your customers to this?

Stephan Platzer: Especially in the past two years, we have noticed an increasing interest in our intermodal connections, as customer awareness of this issue also continues to grow. We see it as our duty to sensitize our customers to this. In addition to the positive environmental aspect due to the CO2 savings, there are also several advantages from an operational perspective through the combination of road and rail. In the first and last mile, the payload can be increased to up to 29 tons, reliable departure and arrival times are guaranteed, and traffic jams are avoided during peak times. What makes us unique as a medium-sized company is the combination of forwarding and owning our own Railway Transport Company (EVU). This gives us almost 100% direct influence over the route. And our customers also appreciate this advantage, as it helps them to decarbonize their supply chain.

Wenzel Logistics GmbH Intermodal Transport
Wenzel Logistics sees intermodal transport as a significant growth market

Wirtschaftsforum: What specific advantages can Wenzel Logistics point to?

Stephan Platzer: On our existing rail connection from Werndorf via St. Michael to Wels, we have been able to significantly shorten the running times through steady optimizations. Currently, eight trains can operate there each week, with a single train already transporting 40 truck shipments. We plan to add two more connections to this already existing axis in the future, so we can connect all the key European economic regions with Styria in this way.

Wirtschaftsforum: What lessons has Wenzel Logistics learned from its over 25 years of operating history - and what values will guide your actions in the future?

Stephan Platzer: The daily commitment of our teams, who go the extra mile for our customers, is necessary. Through Best Practice Sharing, we can learn interdepartmentally from our clients and optimize their processes together. Therefore, our focus on commitment to our clients and loyalty to our employees will continue to guide our actions in the future.