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T. Ottem Transport is a family company now being managed in the third generation by Torstein Ottem who shares ownership with his brother Harald. Since they took over the reins in 2010 the company has quadrupled in size thanks to a successful strategy of diversification. In addition to its core activity of providing transports for the livestock industry, it is also active in recycling and road maintenance. European Business spoke to Torstein Ottem about the secret to its phenomenal expansion.

The ability to move goods swiftly from place to place has allowed the dissemination of information across the globe. As the opportunities to move goods has increased, so too has the complexity. Trexico Logistics BV has coordinated global logistics for over 20 years and has established itself as a specialized logistics expert across road, water, rail and air.

Natural disasters, embargoes, and war: The international trade market is volatile. Even minor issues can escalate and have a catastrophic impact for traders and their suppliers. With routes worldwide, the airfreight sector is particularly vulnerable, and only those companies with a clear strategy to manage the risks will survive. CELEBI Cargo GmbH, based at Germany’s largest airport, Frankfurt am Main, is one such success story. European Business spoke with CEO Murat Bas and COO Christopher Licht about challenges and success strategies in the cargo handling sector.

The world is growing taller: If a lack of suitable land means you can’t build outwards, why not build upwards instead? A logical solution, which many companies have adopted. Storage facilities in particular are often over 10 m high, which demands special equipment to lift and transport goods. WEP-Weisshaupt GmbH is a specialist in the production of individually optimized lifting mechanisms and other equipment for efficient and effective storage.

For longer distances, flying may get you where you want to go faster than taking the bus, but you will invariably miss out on a lot on the way. And, in this age of flight shame, bus travel beats flying hands down from an environmental perspective. Italian bus company Inter Saj Srl has been offering passenger services since 1925, and believes there is still plenty of mileage in its business model.

From one small lorry to a large fleet of vehicles: Despite the extensive challenges that the transport industry has experienced over the past 40 years, resulting in many insolvent companies, Italian freight forwarder Ceccarelli Group. has bucked the trend and proved that it can adapt to changing demands and trends. European Business spoke to Luca Ceccarelli, Commercial and Branch Manager at the family enterprise, to find out about the significant changes he has seen in the industry, and how the company has continued to flourish in the face of adversity.

As the country’s second-largest container port, Helsingborg is a key rail and road freight hub for Sweden and its international trade. Located on the strait of Öresund, the local waterways are among the busiest in the world. European Business spoke with Nicklas Romell, CCO at Port of Helsingborg, to find out about the port’s activities and success, and its approach to current hot topics such as sustainability and digitalization.

In today’s global trade markets, transports do not stop at national borders, and neither do customer contacts. Global trade relies on global relationships. This is something that Italian logistics company, Unitransports SpA, recognized early on. It revels in the international nature of its business and thrives in the high-pressure, tightly scheduled world of international air freight. Managing Director Paolo Maderna talks to European Business about what it takes to be successful on the international stage and how to maintain long distance personal relationships.

From an economically challenged state-operated company to a privately owned enterprise benefiting from heavy investment and ambitious plans: Business is booming for JOB AIR Technic a.s. The aircraft maintenance specialist, situated in the Czech Republic, has experienced a true renaissance over the past three years, and is having to significantly expand its workforce to cope with the influx of contracts from clients in Europe and further afield.

Brexit: A word which generally strikes fear and frustration into the hearts of businesses across the European continent and for many companies in the UK too. Danish ferry services provider DFDS Seaways, however, which services numerous routes from mainland Europe and Scandinavia to the UK for passengers, cars and heavy goods vehicles, is prepared. In particular, its French subsidiary, DFDS Seaways SASU has the challenging theme of post-Brexit customs arrangements well under control.

It is a principle already used by the ancient Egyptians to build the pyramids: roller conveying. Since these early times, the highly effective and energy-efficient technology has been constantly refined. A trailblazer for innovative developments in this sector is the Japanese ITOH DENKI Corporation. Committed to ‘driving the future of intralogistics’, the company pioneered brushless DC 24V motors in rollers. The Group’s European head office is based in eastern France, not far from the Swiss border.