The Saarland is present at the world´s largest trade show for transportation and logistics in Munich. At a common booth, 13 Saarland-based logistics companies and institutions show their range of products and services. They are organized in the network of the Saarland Logistics Initiative which is headed by gwSaar Saarland Economic Promotion Corporation. The network was founded in May 2009. Since then, the Initiative has met with acclaim throughout Germany.

The Munich trade show "transport logistic" takes place every two years. In 2009, the Saarland Logistics Initiative was for the first time represented at the show by gwSaar - as the sole exhibitor at the booth. After two years of intensive build-up work in Saarland, this has completely changed now. This year´s common booth counts 13 Saarland companies and institutions as exhibitors,  among them e.g. the Beckingen-based Puhl company, a specialist  in the "road meets rail" sector  for the transportation of rubbish and packaged goods as well as container freight. Völklingen-based forwarding company Girlinger is successfully active on the market for long-distance transports to Spain, France, and Benelux,but also  organizes national transports.  Per truck alone, an estimated 33 million tons of goods are transported in Saarland every year.

"Within a period of two years, we have pooled over 300 logistics firms",balances Thomas Schuck, Managing Director of gwSaar. "It is also because of the dense  network and the exchange of expertise in Saarland that the region is one of the major logistics locations in Germany."

Following a study of the Fraunhofer Working Group for Technologies in the Logistics Service Industry (IIS) in Nuremberg from last year, the Saarland is one of the 18 best German regions for logistics companies.

Two years after its creation, the initial funding of the Saarland Logistics Initiative expires  according to plan. The network, however, will remain, and existing contacts be maintained in form of meetings. Also the publication "Saarland Logistics Guide" will be continuously updated.  "We have done everything to achieve a clear and good communication among us", said Joachim Kiefaber, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economics and Science and Chairman of the Board of gwSaar. "With only little support by gwSaar such as the organization of a trade fair participation, the network itself can now defray its expenses.

On Wednesday, May 11th, and Thursday, May 12th, Joachim Kiefaber will personally thank the exhibitors at the common booth (Hall B3, Booth No. 309) for supporting the network.  Moreover, he will pay visits to further Saarland companies at the fair.

In 2009, about 1700 companies from 55 countries participated at the "transport logistic". This year, there are 1900 exhibitors from 59 countries.

Exhibitors at the Saarland common booth:

• amotIQ solutions GmbH
• BME Bundesverband für Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik - Region Saar e.V.
• DFHI Deutsch-Französisches Hochschulinstitut
• DHL Supply Chain
• Fistec AG
• Girlinger Transportgesellschaft mbH
• HTW Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes
• IPL Institut für Produktions- und Logistiksysteme Prof. Schmidt GmbH
• iSL AUTOMOTIVE GmbH,
• Josef Konz GmbH & Co. KG
• J.S. Logistik AG
• Kleemann GmbH Verpackungssysteme,

• Puhl GmbH

IN BRIEF: The Saarland Logistics Initiative

The Saarland Logistics Initiative was set up in 2009 under the direction of gwSaar, the Saarland Economic Promotion Corporation. The Saarland Logistics Initiative aims to further strengthen Saarland’s position as a logistics centre at the heart of Europe by providing a network of driving forces in the economy, in science and administration and actively markets Saarland as a logistics location at home and abroad.
www.logistik.saarland.de

Media Contact:
Anja Petschauer
Project Manager Marketing & Promotion
gwSaar Saarland Economic Promotion Corporation
Phone ++49 (0)681 9965‐310
E‐Mail: petschauerinvest‐in‐saarland.com