Interview with Florian Rybak: Introducing Hellmann Industrial Logistics

In this interview, we sit down with Florian Rybak, the Global Vice President of Industrial Logistics at Hellmann. Florian shares his insights on the new Industry Solution "Hellmann Industrial Logistics," which is dedicated to the shipping of industrial goods and providing specialized logistics solutions to meet the complex demands of the industry as it transforms through Industry 4.0 and changing political and economic climates.

31 January 2023

Focus

Hi Florian, can you tell us about your role as Global Vice President of Industrial Logistics and how you got there?

I started my career at the Hellmann headquarters in Osnabrück right after finishing high school in 2006. In recent years, I was heavily involved in developing our automotive logistics business in Europe which is one of our most successful industry solutions at the moment. In September, I was appointed the Global Vice President of Industrial Logistics, one of three new verticals that were launched last year. Since then, I have been working on shaping the new industry solution and spreading the word. We are working closely with the international sales teams, and have dedicated team members in every Hellmann region, so we are present globally.

Can you tell us about Hellmann Industrial Logistics and its mission?

Hellmann Industrial Logistics is a division that specializes in providing logistics solutions to the industrial goods industry. In the era of Industry 4.0, companies are grappling with rapid automation, big data analysis, and ever-evolving technology. Our goal is to support these companies in navigating complex demands in a dynamic political and economic environment. Our focus extends beyond production to encompass the entire product lifecycle, including service and maintenance.

What were the main reasons to establish this new Industry Solution?

Before the creation of the new vertical, we noticed that we already had many customers from the industrial sector, but mostly on a local level. The idea behind Hellmann Industrial Logistics is to develop these clients from single country relationships to regional and even global collaborations. Take Hellmann Automotive Logistics as an example, one of our most successful verticals. Our long years of experience have shown that when we focus our efforts on one industry, we can take advantage of networking opportunities, share best practices, support local and regional sales, and help medium-sized companies to grow. This is what we aim to do with our existing industrial customers: Develop them not only locally, but also globally.

Can you give us some examples of the industrial goods that Hellmann Industrial Logistics will be handling?

Yes, we will be handling the worldwide shipment of industrial goods such as industrial machines, power and hand tools, and industrial electronic components. We already support some well-known brands from these areas.

What are the main trends that you are seeing for the industrial goods industry?

We see several trends in this sector and I will just highlight a few. First and foremost, the current supply chain challenges will continue, leading to more local production and sourcing and making it less dependent on external circumstances. The market keeps on being very dynamic. At the moment, it stabilizes with volumes and rates going down after a long time. Even in sea freight we see plenty of capacity again. However, we need to stay alert and agile towards further market developments as market changes have become a lot more frequent than in the past.

The industrial manufacturing industry, like others, is undergoing significant changes as it embraces automation, artificial intelligence, and enhances the customer experience. With growing demand and increased inventory, manufacturers must focus on improving the flexibility of their supply chains. Also, sustainability is no longer just a trend but a necessary requirement, with companies needing to provide evidence of their efforts through credentials and data analysis.

Thank you for your time, Florian. Is there anything else you would like to add about Hellmann Industrial Logistics?

Just that we are excited to bring our specialized industry knowledge to the table and help open doors for our clients, especially in complex tenders. We look forward to serving industrial clients globally and across all products. The first few months have shown that there is a need for our industry solution, and we have already seen great developments with new customers. This gives me a very positive outlook for 2023.