As part of our solutions for data exchange with customers and partners in contract logistics, last year we managed to expand our portfolio by a significant milestone for the future. Our specialists in the CEE region were able to develop a bespoke API interface that will allow us to make the exchange of data between customer systems and our warehouse system, which we use on logistics projects, even more efficient.

In the past year, companies faced a difficult economic situation and adverse global events played a significant role in this. A large number of companies have seen orders fall and costs rise, leading them to actively seek savings. How has this impacted on logistics, which is directly linked to various industries? And what can we expect to see in this industry this year?

Despite the lures of the digital world, the popularity of some traditional toys still endures. For manufacturers such as Ravensburger AG, the demand has risen during the pandemic. The increase in sale associated by an adjustment of Ravensburger distribution channel, brought new challenges for Mošnov warehouse operated by Geis. Actions required not only an increase of storage space, but also number of dispatched trucks and containers has grown

Although cycling is an unprecedentedly popular sport in Europe, and people use bicycles to get to work, the demand for bicycles has changed significantly over time for a variety of reasons. One day there are too few bikes, the next there are too many, one day there is a shortage of parts for production, the next there is no market. However, a bicycle component manufacturer from California, together with a German logistics company, has been successfully coping with such challenges and since last year they have been carrying out part of the production in Ejpovice near Pilsen.

Although international transport, especially the transport of goods from Asia and other distant markets, is itself a relatively rigid area, external influences can destabilise it significantly. This was demonstrated not only during the covid pandemic, but also in the Suez Canal accident, under extreme weather conditions and, of course, after the start of the war in Ukraine. However, thanks to significantly lower demand and the straightening of supply chains last year, the big price increases have finally been replaced by cheaper prices. But is it possible to predict what will happen next?

Finally, there is enough of everything - packaging and filling material. And they've gotten slightly cheaper. After a difficult three-year period, this is good news for all companies that need packaging for their goods. However, the reasons why this has changed are not very positive: less demand from consumers and companies and a general downturn in the economy.

Real vanilla from Madagascar, shea butter from Uganda, freeze-dried liver from New Zealand or oysters from Iceland. Such foodstuffs are also imported into the Czech Republic, where demand for them is growing year by year. But their journey to the centre of Europe is not always easy.

The beginning of the year is usually a time of taking stock of previous years. Although it might seem that after two years of covid nothing could surprise us, last year another blow came. And it was even worse - the war conflict in Ukraine. Unfortunately, hopes of stabilising society and markets were short-lived. In both periods, logistics played a very important, one might say indispensable, role. We asked Daniel Knaisl, Managing Director of the logistics company Geis, how he perceives the constant changes and increasingly challenging conditions.