CARGO MOVERS GmbH was founded on July 1, 1998 in Rüsselsheim by Thomas Heiler and Robert Mattern. At the same time, an office was opened at Frankfurt Airport in Kelsterbach for the freight forwarding operations. Both owners have years of professional experience in international freight forwarding and, before the opening of CARGO MOVERS GmbH, they worked for many years in leading positions of international freight forwarding companies let’s get to know more of this on our interview with their Key Accounts Manager – Marcel Macke

How long have you been in the freight forwarding business?

MM - Since 12 years already. I've started when I was 16 .

How did you get into the freight and logistics industry?

MM - Started to work during school holidays at Frankfurt Airport and met the manager of Cargo Movers one day. I decided to stay with them and become a freight forwarder.

What are the current difficulties or challenges you are facing in your country when it comes to shipping?

MM - Germany itself is very easy and structured, when it comes to shipping! We have good regulations and flexible options. It is more of a challenge to get all the regulations/certifications you need to transport goods for bigger companies, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, which is one of our main niches.

For customs clearance in your country, do you have any advice or guidelines you can provide to your future partners?

MM - Make sure that the electronic transmission will match with the documents, and consign a MAWB to save some turnaround time due to a missing power of attorney! 
This will save money and makes clients happy!

If you can change anything about the freight forwarding industry, what would it be?

MM - Make easier and faster customs regulations. Change opening hours at German local customs stations.

What advice would you give to a person who is considering a career in a freight forwarding industry?

MM - Stay cool, take it easy!  Be as you are and make sure that you do not feel that everything is too much – Others in the team need your help – Together we are strong!!

What is something you would like to us to know about your company?

MM - Very small energetic family! For sure  you won't  find another company in that style. 
We build up people, who are starting at 16/17 years of age to work in our company and help them to structure their life and to deal with difficult situations. We care about people and have a heart for everyone, who would like to make something out of their lifes! 
Our motto: Work hard and enjoy the time together - We are the team. 

Please tell us about your company. Where is your headquarters and when did you first establish the company?

MM - The headquarters is in Russelsheim, near Frankfurt Airport! The company is split between air and a sea freight branch (which is based in Bremen). Also, our sea freight department is small and built up by very young energetic guys, who love what they are doing – you will feel the passion.

What questions should be asked of a company to determine they're qualified to handle cold chain or temperature-sensitive shipments?    â€¨

MM - GDP certified?
 Own fleet of trucks? Cooling facilities? Trained people in the company? Time of experience?

How is the IT improving the temperature-sensitive logistics sector? Are there any new technologies in particular that your company has embraced?  

MM - This is very important! For example, we are already using live time tracking for our truck fleet and put live time loggers into the Envirotainer to give the customer information about each step! That way we can make sure, that we have the goods always controlled!

What's the most unique cold chain shipment you've ever handled?

MM - We transported some sturgeons from Australia via Frankfurt to Dubai! Someone opened a private sturgeon farm and wanted to have them from Australia. 
We had to send some staff from our company to Australia to be trained to handle this kind of transport with the special transport equipment.

How important is cold chain logistics to an individual person/consumer?

MM - The person/consumer could receive their shipment in a secured and well-cared condition, because it will be taken good care of by two sides of agents. Especially when we look at the commodity, let’s say an anesthetic! It has to be treated highly sensitive as it has to be transported exactly in the advised range, otherwise they cannot use it for the surgeries – just imagine if there is a mistake.

What's required of a cold chain specialist to stay relevant and current in the industry?

MM - They should have the relevant knowledge and experiences of doing cold chain shipment such as being able to correctly suggest your partners/clients, making temperature-controlled packing, arranging the temperature-controlled transportation in the correct and secured condition, and closely tracking the cargo to see, if it has arrived in the destination and still being taken care of at the right temperature.

What exactly is cold chain logistics? How would you define it?

MM - It is a temperature controlled supply chain, and should be treated as critical with the high attention of refrigerated shipments. Cargoes need to be stored in the required temperature environment. Normally the cargo could be as fresh food, pharmaceutical drugs, chemicals, and etc.