Cluster for Logistics
The Cluster for Logistics and its members showcased Luxembourgish know-how as well as their products and services at the specialized Trade Fair FRUIT LOGISTICA in Berlin from February 7th to 9th, 2018. The Cluster members Arthur Welter, Cargolux, DuPont and Grosbusch Fruits & Vegetables joined the “Fresh Hub Luxembourg” national pavilion organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.
It is the first Luxembourgish participation at the specialized fair. The exhibition is the leading industry get-together with a focus on perishables and fresh produce businesses. It provides a complete picture of the latest innovations, products and services on every level of the international supply chain. The fair is a perfect networking ground with key decision-makers and attracts over 75,000 visitors and 3,000 exhibitors.
Fruits and vegetables are very sensitive products, says Grosbusch Director René Grosbusch, and therefore require special handling. Luxembourg is more than capable of offering the required full high-quality services, and the “Fresh HUB Luxembourg” pavilion regrouped companies that complement each other throughout the supply chain: Grosbusch is a renowned fruits and vegetables distributor in Luxembourg and the Greater Region, the industrial global player DuPont offers high grade Tyvek cargo covers “made in Luxembourg” to protect perishables while the logistic aspect can be handled by Arthur Welter Transports, one of the major national players in road transport, and Cargolux, Europe’s leading all-cargo airline.
“We are very pleased that we were able to assemble the main actors of the Fresh HUB Luxembourg. With DuPont’s Tyvek Covers, Arthur Welter’s Services, Grosbusch’s Distribution and Cargolux’ know-how, we can highlight a full offer of services around the Cargocenter which is the sixth largest air freight hub in Europe,“ said Cluster Director Malik Zeniti.
Luxembourg has a role to play in a growing business
With its high value adding services, Luxembourg certainly has a role to play in the specialized fruits and vegetables sector. Dedicated companies offer professional cargo handling of sensitive produce and cool zones. Next to the extensive road feeder system, Luxembourg offers specialized players with modern warehouses like Grosbusch and Arthur Welter and dedicated hubs like the Cargocenter at the airport and the new multimodal rail platform in Bettembourg.
Moreover, 70% of EU market can be served within one day and fast lane solutions are readily available as time- and cost-efficiency play a crucial role. The multilingual service and easy access to customs and release agencies allow for tailor-made solutions compliant with clients’ needs.
Grosbusch Fruits & Vegetables was pleased with the joint presence at the Fruit Logistica : “We confirmed the international potential for our business here in Berlin and found interesting opportunities worldwide through the visibility of the Luxembourg national pavilion”. The well-known company based in Ellange is well prepared for future growth as it invested €20 million in its new warehouse last year, offering 12,500 m2 on top of the existing 4,500 m2.
The demand for fast and reliable air transport is booming according to Cargolux. In 2017, more than 2.4 million tonnes of fresh products have been transported on a global scale, a 3.3 percent increase compared to 2016. With more than 1.1 million tonnes, fruits and vegetables comprise around 46 percent of all fresh products in air cargo.
The national presence on this fair supports the recognition of Luxembourg as a diversified logistics hub. To raise awareness and facilitate networking, the Chamber of Commerce and the Cluster for Logistics organised a booth party on February 8th that attracted a high number of international clients and partners, as well as a variety of Luxembourg-based visitors at the fair.
Putting Luxembourg on the map
By joining forces and building a national pavilion with public and private actors, Luxembourg managed to position itself as a hub for agricultural perishables and ultra-perishables in Central Europe.
With more than 75.000 visitors last year, the Fruit Logistica is a very popular fair, considering that it focuses on a “niche” aspect of the logistics sector. The spectrum of exhibitors comprised:
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Packaging and labelling
- Transport and logistical systems
- Produce handling and storage
- Computer and internet solutions
- Cultivation systems
- Greenhouses and greenhouse technology
This first edition of the Luxembourg “Fresh Hub” at the Fruit Logistica paves the way for future participations at the fair, but also for further collaborations between Luxembourg-based actors and partners abroad.
Many passers-by, be they visitors or exhibitors at the Fruit Logistica, admitted that the pavilion and the messages it conveyed, helped put Luxembourg on the map.
