The current market places high demands on logistics. In addition to standard distribution, companies are increasingly faced with transport operations and logistics projects that require a bespoke approach, specialised equipment or precise coordination of individual steps. Whether it involves industrial engines, oversized furniture, fitness centre equipment or time-sensitive deliveries for the retail sector, such orders cannot be managed without thorough planning and bespoke solutions.

Not all logistics orders conform to standard transport parameters. Although the majority of shipments handled by Geis consist of palletised consignments within a groupage network and full-load or less-than-full-load shipments, logistics practice increasingly involves orders that fall outside the usual parameters. Sometimes the challenge lies in the dimensions, weight or method of handling the cargo. At other times, the decisive factors are the precise coordination of individual activities, the sequencing of deliveries or adherence to a strict timetable. It is precisely in such cases that thorough planning and a logistics solution tailored to the customer’s specific requirements play a key role.

One example of a demanding logistics project was the revitalisation of a retail store network. Here, Geis managed the entire logistics process for the replacement of shelving systems, where it was necessary to remove the original equipment and deliver the new equipment simultaneously within a precisely defined timeframe. The success of the project depended primarily on the meticulous coordination of individual shipments, adherence to deadlines and the seamless integration of all logistical operations, so that the modernisation of the shops proceeded according to plan.

“The most challenging projects are usually those that require something extra compared to standard transport. This may involve oversized cargo, specific handling requirements, or precise timing for loading or unloading. In Slovakia, we frequently encounter requests for transport to be carried out at a precisely specified time, whether during the day or at night. A typical example is when goods leave a production plant in Austria, undergo transhipment, picking and labelling at our terminal, and are then delivered to a customer in eastern Slovakia in less than 12 hours. “The success of such orders relies primarily on thorough preparation and the ability to respond to the customer’s specific needs,” says Lukáš Búzek, Operations Director at Geis SK.

From time to time, we also handle truly unconventional consignments. These included, for example, a small electric flatbed vehicle used by local authority services, which the customer sent via a collection service – complete with the keys still in the ignition. Although there are strictly defined limits and packaging rules for this type of transport, such unusual consignments demonstrate just how varied customer requirements can be.

Oversized and project shipments constitute a specific part of the logistics operations, which the Geis Group carries out through its subsidiary Spedition Feico. Unlike standard shipments, meticulous preparation of every detail plays a crucial role here. The project typically involves route planning, securing the necessary permits, coordination with the authorities, and the deployment of specialised equipment.

In some cases, transport takes place at night to minimise its impact on traffic. This is preceded by a detailed analysis of the entire route and an assessment of all potential obstacles. Sometimes it is necessary to temporarily adjust road signage, coordinate the movement of escort vehicles, or adapt the transport schedule to the operations of manufacturing plants and other facilities. Each project is a unique combination of technical, organisational and legislative requirements and demands a solution tailored to the specific load.

The diversity of project transport operations is also evident from the portfolio of completed contracts. For example, Spedition Feico has handled the transport of bridge crane parts, residential modules, wind turbine components and parts of a sugar beet washing drum. Although these loads vary significantly in both size and nature, they all share the need for detailed preparation and an individualised logistics solution.

The so-called last mile plays an equally important role. It is precisely this final stage of transport that is often the greatest challenge. Narrow roads, weight restrictions, a lack of space for unloading or the absence of suitable handling equipment can determine whether a consignment can be delivered on schedule.

“Even if international transport is handled without a hitch, that doesn’t mean the job is done. From a logistical point of view, it is often the final few kilometres that prove the most demanding. Narrow roads, weight restrictions, a lack of space for unloading or the absence of suitable handling equipment can determine whether a consignment can be delivered on schedule. That is why we pay close attention to the preparation of every order and the detailed planning of the final delivery,” adds Lukáš Búzek, Operations Director at Geis SK.

The success of a shipment is therefore often determined not by a single parameter, but by a combination of several factors, ranging from dimensions and weight, through handling methods, to the availability of infrastructure at the points of loading and unloading. It is precisely this ability to tailor logistics solutions to specific customer requirements that enables us to transport even consignments that fall outside standard parameters safely and efficiently.