Since 1993, the Transport & Logistics Awards organized annually by TRANSPORTMEDIA reward the “best practices” in the industry, and give opportunity for the nominated companies to highlight their achievements.
After a hybrid edition last year, the Transport & Logistics Awards are making a comeback this April 28, 2022 at the Brussels Expo in their traditional format as the biggest gala evening in the Belgian sector.
The award ceremony will take place in the legendary 2000 auditorium of the Brussels Expo.
We are pleased to announce that Ziegler has been nominated thanks to its programme “Ziegler. Now even Greener” for the coveted “Transporter of the Year” award. We’ll have to wait out the suspense until the winners are announced in each category. We are already happy to be one of the finalists among a prestigious group of candidates. To be nominated by TRANSPORTMEDIA for their most prestigious award is an honour for us and a great source of pride.
Stay tuned!
Internships and traineeships in-company make it possible to identify young talents very early on. For Ziegler, it is important to train young people with high potential so that they can grow together and become competent specialists in transport, customs and logistics.
For example, let’s meet one of our interns who has been fascinated with the transport and logistics sector. Age 26, Christian Foketchian is in his last year studying foreign trade in Brussels. He began his internship in the Ziegler Sales department in Brussels in March 2022. When asked why he chose to do his internship at Ziegler, he has a lot to say!
“Before coming to Belgium, my educational journey began in my country of origin, Cameroon, where I first received training in transport and logistics. On social media, I was able to closely follow the progress of the “Ziegler. Now Even Greener” programme, so Ziegler was my first choice for my internship from the outset. My interest in Ziegler comes primarily from the company’s sensitivity to sustainability issues and its initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint. In addition, Ziegler is one of the leaders in transport and logistics. Being part of this family is an excellent opportunity for me to gain experience and grow in this field,” says Christian. To contribute to our ecological approach, he intentionally chose to travel by train from Aalst.
Keeping up with our interns as they learn alongside experts in specialized fields is a great opportunity as they can bring a fresh perspective to the business.
This is why the Ziegler Group is welcoming an increasing number of interns and trainees every year. Our goal is to ensure that these young talents are perfectly at ease within Ziegler thanks to our corporate culture which favors flexibility, continuous learning opportunities and close collaboration between colleagues.
In addition, many new projects are being developed to improve and perfect training within Ziegler Belgium. We welcome new interns and trainees for Ziegler Belgium and Ziegler Luxembourg, across a range of departments.
Interested?
Please send your CV and a cover letter to the address below:
hrbelgium@zieglergroup.com
As well as for any additional information
In order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the Brussels-Capital Region intends to improve air quality. To achieve this, the Brussels government aims to accelerate the transition to urban mobility solutions that produce less pollution.
With this goal in mind, our commercial director Belgium and Luxembourg, Xavier Vanwynsberghe and Elke Van den Brandt, the Minister of Mobility, Public Works and Road Safety within the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, met together, which resulted in a rich and comprehensive exchange regarding our common concerns.
The solutions that Ziegler Group has developed for the decarbonization of mobility are not new. Since our sector contributes to a large share of air pollution, we have been working hard for some time to minimize pollution and respect the environment. Many projects have been implemented by Ziegler as part of our “Ziegler, Now Even Greener” programme, one of which being our Cargobike which offers easy access to city centres, allowing goods to be delivered without noise pollution and without carbon emissions, unlike trucks.
Among many other initiatives to reduce our total energy consumption, we are proactively looking at where our energy comes from. Solar panels cover much of our facility at headquarters. The Ziegler Brussels site is covered with 1070 solar panels. This initiative is already helping us reduce our dependence on the local power grid. This is a standard that is being rolled out to all new Ziegler buildings as we continue to grow.
In addition, as communicated earlier this year, Ziegler Belgium has ordered ten autonomous vehicles manufactured by the American company Udelv, a pioneer in autonomous delivery in Silicon Valley, California. The aim is to make deliveries in areas of Brussels where vehicle traffic is restricted. Deliveries made by this autonomous vehicle (called the “Transporter”) will be less intrusive, less impactful on roadways and more ecologically friendly.
Xavier Vanwynsberghe also addressed the driver shortage issue. “So we have to find other ways of distributing and organizing transport. In the short term, we are deploying solutions that approach urban distribution differently. There are technologies that could very well be relevant and work in the future in an urban context,” he added.
During this interview, Mrs. Elke Van den Brandt emphasized how much the quality of life of the inhabitants of Brussels and the choices in terms of mobility were very important factors for the Brussels government.
“The battle for space in a city is very real. We have to ensure that there is a plan in terms of space. In addition to housing, schools and parks, we also need space for logistics in our city. It is important to have a strategy to make this possible. Ensuring this is an essential priority for the government. This is the essence of land use planning in a city like ours,” continued the Minister of Mobility, Public Works and Road Safety.
One of the measures that the Brussels government is ready to take in order to make transport more efficient is to support cargo bikes and other solutions such as micro hubs.
Mrs. Elke Van den Brandt appreciates that Ziegler is daring to take new steps in our sustainability journey. “I think we certainly have a lot to gain from this together in the Brussels context by organizing distribution in a smarter way. On one hand, you offer smarter, more efficient and greener transport options with the least possible impact on the city. On the other hand, hubs must be organized and we must also see how the whole supply chain can be carried out in a better, green and healthy way,” she said.
Referring to Ziegler’s Cargobike, the Minister adds “This allows a good cohabitation between delivery and passers-by in the pedestrian zone. And it’s very good for the city because you minimize air pollution. I have confidence in Ziegler as a company to seize new opportunities and invest in timely innovations, in cargobikes, but also in autonomous vehicle testing.” »
The future of delivery is taking shape with Ziegler.Ziegler is the first logistics operator in the European Union to pre-ordering a dozen autonomous vehicles developed by the American company Udelv. With the first vehicle arriving in Europe at the end of 2022, Ted Fagenson, Chief Commercial Officer of Udelv, pulls back the curtain on its characteristics and advantages in this exclusive interview for Ziegler.
The “Transporter”, which was physically unveiled in early January at CES in Las Vegas, is the first autonomous vehicle (AV) from Udelv to be produced on a large scale. The American start up is collecting many pre-orders, mainly in the United States. However, Ted Fagenson says he is surprised that Europe is in a good position for AV adoption and might even be ahead of the US. For example, it was just last year that Germany became the first country in the world to allow Level 4 autonomous driving on its roads at the federal level.
The Transporter is driven completely autonomously – calculating and optimising the best route to take. To do this, Udelv uses software and systems from Mobileye, an Intel Group company. Today, 100 million vehicles already use Mobileye’s ADAS technology. Mobileye has expanded beyond ADAS systems and is offering a reliable system for getting from point A to point B in autonomous driving. However, there are situations where it is important to take manual control of the vehicle, which is done by Tele-operators. This means that an operator can remotely disengage the autonomous system and manually control the Transporter. One Tele-operator can manage several vehicles at one time.
Ted Fagenson explains that the Transporter is the result of many years of experience and testing, especially on the uPod, a secure dual-sided modular cargo area that can hold up to 80 secure compartments.
The next step for Udelv will be to physically bring the Transporter to public roads. In the past few years, Udelv has made 20,000 deliveries with its autonomous vehicles. Technically, the Transporter’s uPod smart cargo system offers up to one ton of total payload capacity. The Transporter offers large space on its sides for banners that are fully customizable and can be used as spaces for dialogue, allowing the public to truly connect with the Transporter. If the uPod is removed, the load capacity reaches 2500 kgs, like a trailer, and can be used for transporting larger bulky goods.
The Transporter offers different battery packs ranging from 90 to 160 kilowatt hours depending on the user’s profile. Udelv is particularly focused on reducing the vehicle’s mass, because less mass means energy savings. And since there is no cabin, steering wheel, pedals or passenger safety system, the Transporter is quite light.
The autonomous vehicle will be linked to the operator’s TMS system via APIs and dashboards. It will track all of the delivery stages and can provide proof of delivery if necessary. When the Transporter approaches the destination, the consignee will authenticate himself via his smartphone as he walks to the vehicle. Ziegler will be informed in real time that the consignee has just opened his compartment and picked up his delivery. The recipient will also be able to sign with his fingerprint using the app. In addition, the camera system will allow video monitoring of the delivery while in progress and can take pictures of the person picking up the package if necessary. This provides two advantages: a guarantee that only the authorised person has picked up the package, because only authorised persons have access to the app. The second advantage is that the risk of fraud will be considerably reduced as a result.
In recent years, people in Belgium have become increasingly concerned about the climate, atmospheric pollution and quality of life in our cities. Belgian cities face major traffic congestion issues involving private vehicles and public transport, especially in the historical city centres.
Under these conditions, it becomes harder every day to make deliveries to customers using trucks.
That is why, in September 2021, we implemented our Cargobike project as part of our “Ziegler. Now Even Greener” programme. It is a large bicycle used to deliver parcels and pallets in city centres, using a tarped trailer to transport and protect goods. In addition, since access in narrow streets is easy, it does not cause traffic jams and does not generate emissions.
Our Cargobike is a well-known concept, and Ziegler Group wanted to differentiate itself from other logistics providers by offering a Cargobike large enough to handle more cargo in a day than a delivery truck.
With Cargobike, Ziegler is contributing to smarter and more sustainable urban logistics. The slogan “Ziegler. Now Even Greener” has never been more relevant.
To find out more, click this link to read our Cargobike E-book >
Two family businesses -, now two large groups – that share the same values and visions.
An example of the perfect match
Starting April 1, 2022, Ziegler Belgium will begin transporting products for Kaiser + Kraft (located in Machelen), specifically products that are made in Germany from their distribution centers in Pfungstadt and Kamp-Lintfort to Ziegler Canal in Brussels. Once at Ziegler Brussels, shipments will be sorted by the night team to organize the deliveries the next day.
With how much these two companies share in common, this partnership comes at no coincidence.
Kaiser + Kraft, founded in 1945 in Stuttgart, Germany, is the market leader in Europe for sourcing more than 90,000 top-quality products for industrial handling, storage, environment and office equipment. They sell products from a thousand different suppliers both by catalog and online.
Represented by different companies in 19 European countries, Kaiser + Kraft is part of the TAKKT group, a leader in both Europe and North America in multi-channel distance selling of industrial equipment.
Kaiser + Kraft required a logistics partner that could respond quickly and flexibly.
They turned to the Ziegler Group. Founded in 1908, Ziegler Group is a transport and logistics leader in Belgium and Europe. Both a family business and a multinational company, Ziegler Group draws from extensive experience over many decades in its various trades related to the transport and logistics sector. Ziegler’s objective is to offer truly tailor-made solutions to its customers and to exceed their expectations in the management of their supply chain.
So the conditions were ideal for collaboration between these two large family businesses.
The “perfect match”
Ziegler is currently implementing a truly sustainable and innovative logistics strategy that respects the environment with its “Ziegler. Now Even Greener »
And for its part, Kaiser + Kraft is also implementing a sustainability program called “Active Green” in which the group does not buy short-use products, but instead offers products made to last for a long time and not to unnecessarily waste resources. The Active GREEN label distinguishes all products that comply with very strict sustainability criteria and whose CO2 emissions are offset.
Why did Kaiser + Kraft choose to entrust its logistics management to Ziegler?
In the opinion of Luc Vermeer, Managing Director of Kaiser + Kraft Belgium, Ziegler has shown a keen ability to listen to their needs from the first inquiries, and then to offer them the right distribution solutions and a truly tailor-made digital and e-business journey. “We were convinced by Ziegler’s innovative solutions, the flexibility of their organization, their responsiveness, and the quality of service offered, which are all key criteria for us…”. Additionally, Kaiser + Kraft was won over by Ziegler’s advances in sustainable urban delivery and Ziegler’s investments into the future of transport solutions still being developed.
Safer roads for a better future with Ziegler Group
As a transport and logistics company, it is crucial for us to improve road safety, and to implement best practices in order to ensure safety. For this, Ziegler Belgium works closely with VIAS.
VIAS, headquartered in Brussels, is an independent knowledge institute for citizens, public bodies and businesses focused on improving road safety, mobility, security and health and is a leading partner in security for society and mobility.
To highlight our collaborative efforts with VIAS and discuss some of our new projects, we conducted an interview with Jean-François Gaillet (Chief Innovation Officer) and Annelies Develtere (Knowledge Group Manager) of VIAS.
What is VIAS’ current vision of the transport sector in Belgium?
We see some big challenges for the sector. One of them is the legislative and organizational complexity of the transport sector in Belgium, due to the fact that political authorizations exist at different levels (federal, regional, local).
Another challenge facing the sector is the congestion in Belgium and the impact on the environment. This has multiple causes. Belgium is a transit country, which means that a lot of traffic passes through Belgium to neighboring countries. Another challenge is that we have an incredibly dense transport network with many people who move every day between housing, the workplace, commercial and social areas.
However, in the face of these challenges, we also see a lot of opportunities. Due to congested roads, there are many opportunities to think outside the box and organize better multimodal and intermodal transport. There is plenty of room for innovative growth: transport companies should seek to foster and implement technological and organizational innovation to improve the environment and road safety.
We love seeing transport companies embrace multi-functional, user-centric transport systems and be able to offer transport solutions that are in tune with the future of mobility and take into account their impact on society and the environment.
What is your opinion on the current projects that Ziegler is working on? (Cargobike, Micro Hub, Fleet Electrification and Autonomous Vehicles)
We believe Ziegler’s efforts are going in the right direction and are very positive. Ziegler takes the initiative to be involved in new industry trends and has grown into a key player that acts as a pioneer and leads the way and is an example to other transport and logistics companies. We also find it positive that Ziegler involves local players from the start of these projects.
Furthermore, we see that Ziegler believes in change and develops new projects into competitive advantages and at the same time Ziegler strives to attain the goal of zero accidents/zero fatalities in the freight transport sector.
This is why we are looking forward to the projects Ziegler is working on and believe that as a key player in the market, Ziegler will be able to contribute its experience, as well as influence policy makers by continuing to share best practices and other key mobility and road safety data.
What projects is VIAS currently working on?
VIAS is one of the top 10 research institutes in Europe in the field of road safety and mobility. More than 40 research projects are carried out each year, which are the subject of public reports, scientific articles and presentations at scientific conferences.
Currently we are actively working on projects relating to the driving and parking behavior of last mile delivery operators (office of Petra De Sutter), e-commerce deliveries by light commercial vehicles and two-wheelers (office of Georges Gilkinet and SPF Mobilité), automated vehicles, the electrification of passenger cars and safety devices on trucks.
We focus our efforts on evidence-based research of the impact of innovation on mobility, road safety, environment, societal costs/benefits.
Bees have always exercised on humans a form of fascination, enthusiasm unanimously shared as it is true that they present singular characteristics that do not fail to astonish. They are symbols of dedication, productive organization and life. Their work is invaluable to both humans and animals.
Aren’t they essential to life as Albert Einstein wrote ““If the bee disappears from the surface of the Earth, man would have no more than four years left to live. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man”?
Bees also have a relationship with Ziegler’s activity: they are the ones that fertilize plants and above all “transport” pollen. By their cells, the honeycombs are also reminiscent of the shelves of Ziegler’s logistics activity.
It is therefore not surprising that Ziegler intends to preserve this endangered species by embarking on urban beekeeping as part of its “Ziegler. Now Even Greener”.
Coraline Vleminckx, our quality assistant, proposed a project close to her heart in collaboration with her uncle, a beekeeper in town trained by Srabe Asbl, Royal Beekeeping Society of Brussels and Surroundings.
The objective is to install the first hives on the roof of the Ziegler headquarters in Brussels at the end of April 2022, and then to “pollinate” the initiative everywhere within the Ziegler branches in Belgium.
The location of the first hives is ideal because Ziegler’s headquarters is located a few bee’s wing beats from the gardens of the royal palace where bees can forage at leisure..
The first honey harvest, which is expected at the end of July 2022, will be packaged in small 150 g and 300 g jars in Ziegler colors which will reward employees and will be offered to customers who share a loyalty approach based on a strong value of protecting the environment. What could be better than tasting this homemade nectar?
Thanks to its beekeeping harvests, Ziegler will also produce sweets which will be distributed to schools, which will make it possible to carry out an educational action to raise awareness of environmental issues for children.
In doing so, Ziegler goes even further in its eco-responsible approach by transforming its roofs and green spaces into refuges of biodiversity and well-being. Ziegler thus responds to Goal No. 15 set up in 2015 by the United Nations, serving as a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future: that of a world that respects life.
From April 1, 2022, the partnership between Ziegler and Jungheinrich will begin. In this context, Ziegler will provide national transport in Belgium for Jungheinrich as well as shipments from/to Luxembourg.
Ziegler is a leading transport and logistics company since 1908, headquartered in Brussels. With more than 3,200 employees in 154 offices worldwide, Ziegler organises multimodal import and export transport, customs formalities and offers customised storage solutions worldwide, both through its own branches and with selected partners. Ziegler is a family business combining more than 114 years of know-how with the enthusiasm and dynamism of a start-up.
Founded in 1953, Jungheinrich is one of the world’s leading providers of intralogistics solutions with a full range of material handling equipment, storage systems and services. Like Ziegler, Jungheinrich is also represented worldwide through its own sales offices as well as through partner companies.
Harm de Vries, Managing Director of Jungheinrich NV, explains the choice of Ziegler: “We took no risks in selecting our new transport partner. We were looking for a carrier who – just like Jungheinrich – values quality and good service. We found that partner in Ziegler. Not to mention the flexibility that Ziegler demonstrates to quickly deliver our material handling equipment to our customers”
Ziegler Belgium is also satisfied with the cooperation. Xavier Vanwynsberghe, Corporate Key Account & Sales Director Ziegler Belgium and Luxembourg, comments: “At Ziegler, we are delighted to be part of the customer journey that Jungheinrich wants to offer its customers. With Jungheinrich as a partner, our expertise in transporting specific products expands even further. We will therefore do everything we can to make this partnership a success.”
For more information and inquiries, please contact:
Ziegler
Xavier Vanwynsberghe – Key Account & Sales Director BeLux
Phone: +32 2 422 21 95
Xavier_Vanwynsberghe@zieglergroup.com
Jungheinrich
Vanessa Caudenbergh – Marketing & Profishop Manager
Phone: +32 495 585006
vanessa.caudenbergh@jungheinrich.be
Everything you need to know about rail freight from China to Europe, the most sustainable and convenient way to transport LCL or FCL containers.