For 70 years, everything at Hödlmayr has revolved around vehicles: last year, 1.9 million of them were transported; the company’s customers, based in Schwertberg, include automobile producers, importers and dealers. As reported, the third generation, Johannes Alexander Hödlmayr, will take over the helm of the family business from July.
Last year was the best in the company’s history, as Hödlmayr presented in Linz together with CFO Robert Horvath and Sales Director Andreas Sundl. 400 million euros in sales were generated, 40 percent more than in 2022. The reason for this was a catch-up effect in the industry, the supply chains were working once more, says Hödlmayr. 100 additional employees (1,700 in total) were gained last year. There was also an increase in vehicle transporters and block train systems.
From the Mühlviertel to Georgia
The vehicle logistics specialist operates 16 locations; Hödlmayr is represented in Belgium, Turkey and Georgia. Turkey has developed very well in the past year and is a gateway to the entire Caucasus, said Hödlmayr.
The location in Kiev, which was founded in 2008, is a cause for concern. “The little business we do is handled by our colleagues with outstanding performance,” said Hödlmayr. The waiting times at the borders might sometimes be up to a week. But there are no plans to withdraw from Ukraine, said Andreas Sundl.
Picture: Hödlmayr
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Picture: Hödlmayr
In general, the outlook for the coming years is optimistic: According to forecasts, new vehicle registrations will remain at a stable level, and three new car plants will be built in Slovakia and Hungary.
New providers from Asia and America in particular are bringing movement into the industry. They sometimes use direct sales, but also build dealer networks. “It’s not really clear yet where the journey will take us,” said Sundl.
The family company wants to double its share of rail traffic by 2030. The company’s first electric truck will be purchased for the Graz location this year, said CFO Robert Horvath. By 2030, the electric share of the fleet is expected to be ten percent; the vehicles can currently be used up to a maximum radius of 300 kilometers.
When it comes to hydrogen as a drive technology, we are still a long way from achieving economic viability and the necessary infrastructure expansion, said Horvath. Whether Hödlmayr transports conventionally powered vehicles or electric cars basically makes no difference to the company, said head of technology Sundl. However, due to the higher weight of the electric vehicles, there is then one less car in the van.
