PS Food Logistics GmbH based in Neckarsulm is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The express company has grown a lot since its founding in 2009. "Especially in the last 2-3 years, our company has a significant expansion and our customer base has grown by 30-40%," says CEO Konstantin Popov.
In November of last year, a second location was opened in Panevėžys, Lithuania. Firstly for staff reasons, as in Germany a strong driver shortage is experienced. "In addition, we can better serve our international clientele through the resources there.These transports are still handled by our headquarters in Neckarsulm, everything else happens in Lithuania," explains Popov.
From parcel service to nationwide forwarder
The company's history began in 2006 with a modest fleet and parcel deliveries. After only 3 years, it was a full-fledged forwarding company. Over the years, the fleet expanded accordingly, to the present total of over 40 trucks. Popov: "We are still dealing with more than 80 percent of fruit and vegetables, excluding German products. Our service is supplemented by the transport of meats and other temperature-sensitive foods. Our main clientele consists primarily of larger nationally operating sales cooperatives and direct suppliers of the food retailing. Our main concern is long-distance transport, which is why the nearby wholesale markets are of less importance to us."
Constant shortening of the supply chain
There are many challenges in today's transport sector, Popov admits. Only through maximum efficiency and extreme precision do you get the everyday requirements under control. "Fast delivery and a steady reduction in the supply chain are inevitably part of today's food sector. Everything has to get from the field to the plate within a very short time. The asparagus is in my opinion the most sensitive, as is paid particular attention to the smooth quality."
Today, one must also have the appropriate certifications - like QS and IFS Logistics. Not least, the construction sites and the corresponding 
congestion on German highways should be mentioned. "There are currently over 500 construction sites all over Germany and they bother us. With regard to our general area, Mannheim, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart are particularly problematic. Also, the traffic increases every year: In the course of which we started delivering almost exclusively at night."
'Potential exists'
Despite the challenges, Popov views the future as mostly positive. "Of course we sense the competition from the Baltic States and Spain. However, we have been on the market for 10 years and we have already built a solid, loyal customer base. Nevertheless, one must limit the delivery radius, partially in favor of quality. In Germany, we focus primarily on the Ruhr area and southwest Germany. In contrast, we have practically stopped servicing the new federal states in 2017, where we will only go on customers' requests."
In addition to the mere transport of temperature-sensitive goods, additional services - such as a transshipment hall - would be an option in the long term, explains Popov. "There is the potential. In the long term, this is already being planned."
For more information:PS Food Logistics GmbH
Amselweg 5
74172 Neckarsulm
Tel: +49(0)7132/91 93 9- 0
Fax: +49(0)7132/91 93 9- 299
info@psfood.de