Roland Raith, General Manager for Serbia at Gebrüder Weiss - We are preparing another warehouse in Dobanovci for the summer

The company Gebrüder Weiss currently operates at two locations in Serbia (Belgrade - Dobanovci, Niš), with 20,000 m² of logistics space and a capacity for 14,000 pallets. In summer, another warehouse will be finished in Dobanovci, and the company plans to expand its business activities in the south of Serbia, Roland Raith, General Manager for Serbia at Gebrüder Weiss announced in an interview for eKapija.

eKapija: What is new when it comes to warehouse logistics in your terminals in Serbia, how many companies invest in the most modern logistics solutions?

- Gebrüder Weiss currently operates at two locations in Serbia (Belgrade - Dobanovci, Niš), with 20,000 m² of logistics space and a capacity for 14,000 pallets. In order to further strengthen our position in warehouse logistics, we will implement another warehouse in Dobanovci starting this summer. In order to ensure greater safety for our customers, the racking system is designed with seismic resistance, which is not a common practice in our region.

(Photo: Gebruder Weiss)

eKapija: Last year you announced the introduction of a system for energy monitoring and equipping the logistics terminal in Dobanovci with photovoltaic systems. How far have you come with the realization of that project and what else do you plan in the field of more sustainable business?

- Yes, we have successfully completed the installation of a solar power plant with a capacity of 480 kWp. The solar power plant is currently in the trial production phase, and the procedures for connecting it to the power grid are underway. We expect these procedures to be completed by the end of this year. When connected to the grid, the location in Dobanovci will achieve a net zero energy balance, covering its own annual consumption and saving up to 90 t of CO2 emissions per year.

In addition, this year we plan to acquire an electric delivery vehicle in order to gain experience with alternative drive technologies within the national network in Serbia, with the aim of defining further development in that direction.

(Photo: Gebruder Weiss)

eKapija: What are the company`s future plans in Serbia, but also in the region and globally?

- Our further plans in Serbia include a comprehensive strategy for improving our operational capacities and market presence. We are increasing our storage capacity and expanding our domestic network, with a particular focus on home delivery services. Considerable growth is also expected in the area of Niš, in the south of Serbia, where we will expand our business activities. Also, we will implement a new system for managing warehouses and further develop our international collection network to and from Serbia. We are introducing additional digital services and improving our intermodal solutions. In addition, we strive to become an attractive employer on the market, nurturing a positive and dynamic work environment.

After the decline in global trade and signs of recession, Gebrüder Weiss expects a slight economic recovery in the second half of 2024, which will lead to more positive revenue development thanks to the success of individual national companies.