The Bertschi Group has enhanced its presence in the Far East with significant developments: the opening of a new logistics hub in Zhangjiagang, China, and an upcoming joint venture in Japan slated for 2024. In China, Bertschi has inaugurated an intermodal and logistics hub in Zhangjiagang, near Shanghai, specializing in chemical products. The facility boasts a capacity of 25,000 tonnes for both liquid chemical products stored in tank containers and packaged goods. Equipped with automatic filling systems, the hub aims to support local clients with their expansion plans in China and further develop the market for imported liquid chemical specialties. "This new hub ideally integrates into Bertschi's global logistics network, providing door-to-door supply chain solutions worldwide," stated Jan Arnet, CEO of the Bertschi Group. The company's venture into Japan involves a joint venture established in 2023 with the Tokyo-based Uyeno Group, set to begin operations in 2024.
In Europe, Bertschi continued to invest in its fleet, which grew by seven percent to 44,000 units in 2023. The company also advanced its digital infrastructure, enhancing real-time communication with clients about transportation schedule deviations, thereby increasing transparency regarding the delivery status of their products.
However, the Swiss group could not avoid the impact of a decrease in chemical production, leading to a 15 percent drop in revenue to 960 million Swiss francs (approximately 1.03 billion euros) in 2023. Hans-Jörg Bertschi, Executive Chairman of the Bertschi Group, commented, "After a record year in 2022, we faced a more challenging economic environment last year. Nevertheless, we are satisfied with achieving a positive business result despite these economic difficulties." The company anticipates that demand for its European activities will stabilize at relatively low levels in 2024.
On the environmental front, Bertschi is committed to combining rail transport, which accounts for 90 percent of its terrestrial transports, with the use of biofuels for road transport. The company currently powers its road vehicles and terminal services with HVO biofuel, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent compared to conventional road transport. Aiming for zero emissions by 2050, Bertschi is testing electric industrial vehicles in Germany and Scandinavia, with plans to extend this trial to Birrfeld, Switzerland, in 2024.
Regarding European rail transport, Bertschi is constructing a trimodal transshipment terminal in Antwerp, which will include a container storage platform, also for hazardous goods. This facility is expected to become operational in the second half of 2024. Moreover, the company plans to enhance its trimodal terminal in Rotterdam with the installation of a second gantry crane.
