Made in Germany: The Business Magazine

The German logistics market turned over 218 billion euros in the boom year 2008. After a slump in 2009, the outlook for the sector is positive again. Is the crisis over? We ask logistics expert Andreas Baader.DW-TV: This year, we're seeing a definite pickup in the logistics industry - they're out of the water, but there are still some problems: what are they? Andreas Baader: Well, you're right, there's a noticeable pickup and there's a good level of optimism in the industry. So given the difficulties of 2009 we've seen a major pickup. People are of course a bit concerned: what will happen next month, will the pickup continue, will we have the same level and will we then reach the pre-crisis levels very soon. DW-TV: Back in 2008, Germany was the leader in Europe. 218 billion Euros in turnover that year. Better than anyone else on the continent. That's a more than 23 percent market share. France and Britain rounded off the top three. Spain and Italy in the midfield and then Poland down at the bottom with 33 billion euros. Any chance we'll be seeing number like that again soon? Andreas Baader: If we can continue in the way we are in the moment, yes, I think so. Logistics is a real job machine in Europe. It's now the second largest industry and there's a great level of optimism in the industry so I think high chances that we can see those numbers reasonably soon. DW-TV: There's been a big push for more environmentally friendly methods of transportation - more focus on trains and other alternatives to trucks. How is the industry adapting? Andreas Baader: Well, of course, politics and the legal situation is enforcing it, driving that change. Definitely the biggest opportunity today is in using the existing capacities more smartly, more efficiently, having the switch between road and rail more intelligent. That can help a lot in the near future as well. DW-TV: The logistics industry is incredibly dependent on exports. This year, we're expecting exports to increase by 11 percent. But what happens when the next crisis hits? Andreas Baader: Difficult of course. People have to keep that in mind. What the lessons learned during the difficult times in the last years were you have to be more flexible, you have to expect that a crisis can hit very very soon. For services companies like logistics this is another opportunity because they might be more involved because of their given flexibility by nature. Interview: Heather de Lisle