At the start of 2020 Girteka Logistics was ready for another period of strong, sustained growth. COVID-19 and the ensuing economic crisis altered this agenda – people, companies and even countries are now facing an unprecedented situation and a drastically new set of challenges.
“Considering the changing situation, we have adopted a new business plan, concentrating on both short- and long-term sustainability and digitalization of the company and on keeping the workplaces for our 18.000 colleagues,” says Edvardas Liachovičius, CEO.
Despite the fragility of the prevailing economic environment of 2020, Girteka Logistics saw a satisfactory 2019. The company’s annual turnover grew from 764 M Eur to 945 M Eur with increase of 23,7% over 2019, while the profitability decreased from 19 M Eur to 9 M Eur, which was affected mainly due to increased transportation costs and to the company’s significant investment in employees and technological innovations.
The strategic digitalization project with SAP has already started and will continue as planned.
Girteka Logistics expects its fleet of 7.400 trucks and 7.800 trailers to remain stable throughout 2020.
Despite the negative impact on supply chains and road transport in 2020, Girteka Logistics having around 80% of its fleet transporting with frigo trailers, allows it to continue transporting fresh and frozen food, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and more daily supplies.
“2020 will be a serious and challenging year, however by retaining our focus on having a customer-centric company that is fully digitalized, I believe that we, together with our 18.000 colleagues, will emerge stronger” adds Edvardas Liachovičius, CEO.