B for beginnings:
It all began in 1994, when a small team was still operating under the Transpetrol banner, looking after regional customers at the Bitterfeld chemical site. Gradually, supra-regional customers followed, and in 2004 the first major international chemical customers finally arrived.
This was the starting signal for further expansion in Europe: further major customers followed and, thanks to the active support of the sales colleagues from Benelux, the customer portfolio now comprises around 80 customers.
C for chemicals:
Bitterfeld-Wolfen is one of the oldest chemical sites in Germany. So it’s no wonder that our colleagues on site also focus on chemicals. A wide range of VTG services are implemented for chemical customers – from the leasing of tank cars to complex logistics solutions.
E for employees:
From an original eleven employees, the workforce now comprises 26 colleagues – two of whom have been with us from the very beginning: Anke Reichelt and Ines Labud. Ines is even celebrating 45 years of service this year! (You can read more about Ines below.)
J for jubilee:
30 years – that calls for a celebration! There will therefore be various celebrations to mark the anniversary on July 1: The site will receive a certificate presented by the City of Bitterfeld-Wolfen’s business development department. There will then be a small drink on July 10, followed by an official celebration for the employees at the end of September. For more insights into the celebrations in Bitterfeld, just check VIBES regularly!
O for office:
A nicer place to work at the Bitterfeld location: in June 2021, our colleagues moved into new, more modern offices in the south-west of Bitterfeld-Wolfen.
R for results:
A lot of successes have come together in 30 years, says Christian Krüger, Head of Sales Chemicals – Log. Solutions, who is responsible for managing sales activities in the chemicals sector at the Bitterfeld location and beyond. “The team in Bitterfeld has a lot to be proud of,” says Christian. “In addition to winning a Shell Chemicals “Safety Award”, the many long-standing customer relationships are particularly noteworthy.” Shell Chemicals, for example, has been a customer of the Bitterfeld team for 20 years.
S for service:
What has always characterized the Bitterfeld location? The colleagues on site agree: continuous adaptation to market conditions and changes within VTG, the further development of know-how and market expertise in close cooperation with customers and a high level of industry-specific know-how – from individual wagons and block trains to the transportation of hazardous goods.
W for working together:
In addition to extensive expertise and long-standing customer relationships, Christian Krüger and Ines Labud say that it is above all the teamwork that has shaped the Bitterfeld location to this day. “It’s a team that pitches in and sticks together,” says Christian and Ines adds: “Despite all the ups and downs, the Bitterfeld site has always stuck together and that hasn’t changed to this day!”
We would like to congratulate the team in Bitterfeld on their jubilee!
Four questions for… Ines Labud
Ines Labud has been an employee in Bitterfeld from the very beginning. This year, she is celebrating an incredible 45 years with the company! What has happened in four and a half decades, what does she particularly like to look back on and what does she want for the future? We asked her:
Ines, how has your work changed over time?
A lot has happened for me in the last 30 years: I have gone from being a dispatcher for rail, road, sea and air transport to team leader in this area, then switched to customer service and finally became a sales manager. What is particularly nice is that some customers have remained loyal to us for these 30 years.
Yes, there have been many changes, with ups and downs, but together we have overcome these hurdles – and I hope to continue to do so in the future!
What do you think is special about the Bitterfeld site?
The Bitterfeld location is something very special for me. It was a turbulent time 30 years ago – what will happen next? Who would take us over? Then, on July 1, 1994, we were taken over by what was then Transpetrol GmbH in Hamburg. We were just eleven people, a small family, and were warmly welcomed by the nine-strong team in Hamburg at the time.
Despite all the ups and downs, the Bitterfeld site has always stuck together. As a team, this cohesion is still there and that is not to be taken for granted. The motto here is “Don’t argue, just do it!” and this is transferred to the entire Bitterfeld team.
Are there any projects or successes from Bitterfeld that you are particularly proud of?
Of course we are proud when customers have been loyal to us for over 30 years. But also when, like this year, a customer decides to hand over their entire rail logistics to us. That makes you incredibly proud and, of course, grateful to the Bitterfeld team that implements such projects.
What do you wish for yourself and the team at Bitterfeld for the next 30 years?
Although I don’t have that long until I retire, I still wish the Bitterfeld team all the best! Keep up the good work and you will overcome any hurdles that come your way. Of course, I wish everyone the very best of health and continued loyal customers. I could wish a lot more, like peace at last, but that would certainly go beyond the scope of this article.
Do you like the story?
