Raben Group establishes direct services to Portugal

Raben Trans European Germany GmbH is expanding its partner structure with the Portuguese market leader. From 1 May, the European logistics service provider will offer daily direct connections to Portugal from all German locations. For this, Raben relies on the local partner company Torrestir. 

Complementing the established Eastern European routes, the new connection to Southwest Europe ensures fast and efficient imports and exports along the entire supply chain. Raben Group organises the transports in a closely timed distribution concept. This makes the new route attractive for the automotive industry, as supply chains are often characterised by small-scale just-in-time deliveries, which also often have to be made under high time pressure. However, it is mainly fashion goods as well as consumer goods and hazardous goods that are transported. The Portuguese market leader Torrestir takes care of further local distribution. The Raben Group partner company has 16 branches in Portugal and guarantees fast and efficient logistics handling with more than 30,000 square metres of warehouse space.

"The new cooperation with Torrestir strengthens our direct traffic to Portugal. Due to our close-meshed general cargo network, we now have the possibility to transport goods from numerous European countries directly to the Iberian peninsula," says Markus Schmitz, Business Manager International Freight Forwarding at Raben. In the next step, Raben Group is also planning new direct connections to Spain from the summer.

Regardless of the size and transport volume of the company, Raben as a full-service logistics provider takes over the transport for all consignment sizes. In addition to traditional groupage, LTL (less than container load) and FTL (full truck load) can also be booked. Raben Group takes over the complete organisation of both export and import shipments. Thus, from May onwards, customers will benefit both from the express connection and from the fact that Raben guarantees all processes in its own network. This is possible thanks to the cooperation with Torrestier. Both partners bring the deliveries to the recipients within their own network.

"We are very happy about this new partnership with Raben. The history and values of the companies are similar and match. This way we offer our customers a personal and first-class service. Raben Group's own distribution system and strong position in the German market together with a high level of existing traffic and their focus and desire to develop the PT market made the company an ideal partner ", says Torrestir Managing Director Luis Torres.

Raben Managing Director, Ewald Raben, adds: "We are delighted to have Torrestir, the Portuguese market leader, at our side. The broad product portfolio and the distinctive service quality are an ideal fit for us. 
With its professional focus on the needs of the customers, the new partner, which is also family-run, enables us to work together perfectly and to achieve optimal transit times." 

Cooperation guarantees reliable and fast organisation of transports

Goods from Germany reach one of the Torrestir branches in Portugal in the main run. There the deliveries are transshipped and then transported directly to their destinations.

"Pick-up and delivery is carried out via the Torrestir/Raben network. In doing so, we rely on our own fleet of vehicles, the native-speaking expertise of our employees and our trained drivers, and do not depend on external service providers," Markus Schmitz explains.

Helder Silva, Managing Director of Torrestir Transitários emphasises the high frequency of daily transports as well as the short lead time: "Since we can fully organise both the first and last mile with our partner network and the international connection is handled with the Torrestir fleet, we do not rely on subcontractors."

The Torrestier fleet comprises around 600 vehicles. The cross-docking platforms are strategically located so that shippers and producers have easy and uncomplicated access. They also know exactly when a delivery will reach them. This is ensured by the IT visualisation of the transports via the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). 24/7 vehicle monitoring ensures that freight is protected against theft.

Torrestir network ensures fast and efficient transshipment

The portfolio of the experienced logistics service provider Torrestir includes contract logistics and warehouse logistics, national and international distribution as well as sea and air freight transports, intermodal transports and comprehensive logistics services for fresh products. With 16 branches, Torrestir also has a close-knit logistics network in Portugal. Especially in Braga and Porto, where the automotive and supplier industry is very strongly represented, there are strategically excellently located sites.