The L.I.T. Iberian Forwarding Team – from left to right:
Michael Borowski (Operations Manager, L.I.T. Air & Sea GmbH)
Melanie Schuldt (Branch Sales Manager)
Sergi Derqui (Branch Operations Manager)
Laureano Marvez (Business Development Manager)
Brake (D) / Barcelona (ES)
L.I.T. Gruppe is expanding: Since May 1, 2021, the North German logistics service provider has been represented with its first location in Spain. From the new Barcelona office, located not far from the international seaport, a three-member team is now handling export and import orders for the Iberian Peninsula. Initially, business will focus on the Air & Sea division as well as overland transport in the Automotive and food sectors. In the long term, the company intends to broaden its base and tap into further industrial sectors. In addition, the connection of Southern Europe is intended to expand the network for international intermodal transport.
"Barcelona clearly prevailed in the race for the new Spanish L.I.T. location: As the country's second-largest container port and surrounded by the local automotive industry, the metropolis offers us an ideal environment," says Simeon Breuer, Managing Director of L.I.T. Speditions GmbH and member of the Board of L.I.T. AG. From the Catalan capital, the logistics service provider from Brake has been handling inquiries for Spanish imports and exports from the automotive and food industries by ship and aircraft since the beginning of May. Road transport by truck is to be added shortly. Previously, L.I.T. worked with partner companies and agents on such orders.
The now fifteenth foreign branch of L.I.T. had been planned since 2019, but the coronavirus crisis delayed the entire process. "Recruiting the team alone took three to four times longer than usual. But now we have found a top team, and the pandemic is also gradually losing its significance for our industry," reports Breuer. Three employees from the Sales and Business Development departments are responsible for Spanish business – with support from the German headquarters and the lead Operations Manager of L.I.T. Air & Sea GmbH, Michael Borowski.
"The L.I.T. philosophy of speaking the 'customer's language' applies literally here, because the Spanish market works differently than the German one," explains Breuer. Not only do the processes with shipping companies and port operators differ, but the competitive market is also positioned differently: "While in Germany you are dealing with big players among the competitors, the Spanish market is rather fragmented – but that is exactly where we see our opportunity." Having our own staff on-site and mastering the native language are of great advantage there.
The specifically stated goal of the new location is to create a stable customer base.