Go on a successful trading journey with OCS

No working day begins without the phone ringing at OCS.

Although a modern shipping company could hardly survive without digitalization, many still like to pick up the phone. Many customers have long been entering their transport request into an online form. Others prefer to customize order processing to suit their own needs. When clients have a failed shipment or a specific logistics problem, they are looking for more: a reliable carrier with whom they can discuss in order to develop individual solutions. These processes are part of training in freight forwarding right from the start. Then the phone rings. At that moment we have done half the work: generating customers and making the OCS brand known. This doesn't require us to develop a new marketing strategy every quarter, but rather we reliably handle the second part of the logistics service: What is the solution for the customer and how does the transport get to the destination? It's a thrilling journey across national borders and economic areas, because OCS is THE logistics service provider for Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Do you speak Russian, Polish or another foreign language from these regions? Then we were looking for you!

Honorable merchants, robbers and pirates

Your journey begins in Bremen-Stuhr.

Bremen was a member of the Hanseatic League for more than 250 years. The highly praised beer in particular found its way up north to Scandinavia and brought wealth to the city. By joining the alliance of merchants, further destinations and their products came within reach. To this day, Bremen is the main hub for the coffee that Germany drinks in the morning. The trade routes back then were adventurous. Heavily laden cogs became easy prey for pirates. Robbers lie in wait during transport over land routes such as the salt road from Lüneburg to Lübeck. Thanks to good relationships, the deal was made quickly. But getting the goods on site was a challenge. The Hanseatic League succeeded! Parents from all over the world sent their children to learn the finer points of the trade in Bremen. Furthermore, the Hanseatic merchants were considered honorable because they kept promises. Where is it better for prospective freight forwarders and logistics service providers to learn the profession than in a place with a long trading tradition? Bremen and OCS are exactly the right environment for training in freight forwarding. Come with us on a “trading trip”.

Where the journey goes in training

Just like in the Hanseatic era, OCS's connections extend to Scandinavia and the countries of the former USSR including Russia . We like to talk about Northern and Eastern Europe with Central Asia because OCS has been serving these regions for more than 30 years. During this time we earned the trust of long-standing customers. We transport these to other countries in Europe and worldwide. But we don't want to put our horsepower on the road where everyone drives. We are enthusiastic about something special and look for the thrill of having mastered the challenge. Just like the Hanseatic merchants.

This is what our job as a freight forwarder

For every transport order and every customer request, we find the right solution in the first step. This usually means identifying the optimal load carrier and organizing the transport. For OCS, no half-loaded or empty vehicles drive to the next location and emit avoidable CO2. With “green logistics” we are actively committed to environmental protection and achieve maximum diversity.

We access the fleets of external providers. This means we have a wide range of vehicle types and other load carriers available to us. The selection is enormous. A single freight forwarding company would not be able to provide and utilize this fleet. We find the load carrier and virtually accompany the transport along the entire route. Where the medieval merchant relied on hunches and rumors about the whereabouts of his goods and their condition, we know where the cargo is at virtually any time:

• From storage to acceptance by the recipient of the shipment
• Across borders and economic systems
• Taking into account all safety regulations
• By road or rail, in the air or at sea

This requires much more than just knowing the connecting routes. Depending on the load and the goods being transported, regulations must be observed. A reputable shipping company supports these regulations because they prevent serious damage to the environment, property and personal injuries. However, in a multilateral trading network with individual solutions, the requirements become much more complex.

• What happens when you cross the border?
• What documents do drivers have to hold?
• In which digital system?

Digitalization as a challenge

“The challenge for the future: to bring craftsmanship and digitalization together and find the most optimal solution for the customer. #hybridespedition ”

@ocsspedition [twitter] from May 6th, 2021

Although digitalization has brought about enormous improvements, it allows large logistics companies such as a former bookseller to set their own conditions . Freight forwarders and logistics service providers need to keep this in mind. These procedures must be used by the people involved in transport. Operational know-how and experience in freight forwarding are essential here and pay off for the customer in the long term. The future will belong to hybrid shipping companies that manage to combine digitalization and craftsmanship and thus generate the most optimal solution for the customer.

Good job: the transport has reached its destination

OCS handles and arranges global imports and exports by sea, air, rail and road. Transports from, to or via Russia in particular have increased significantly in recent years. Borders became more open. One thing hasn't changed: the weather conditions, which had already defeated Napoleon. As an aside, the transporters also have to have customs papers, consignment notes and many other documents ready. There may be a language on the road that drivers don't know. We keep drivers’ backs free by meticulously preparing everything. The requirements “on the road” are high enough. And then there it is, the kick: we receive feedback that another demanding transport has reached its destination! Next thing you know, the phone rings again and a satisfied customer thanks you for the smooth transaction .

Together we and the transport reach the destination. Come along on our “trading trip” and start training as a merchant (m/f/d) for forwarding and logistics services .