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For a sustainable society: More and more NGOs are taking action around the world

In the course of globalization, internationally networked non-governmental organizations or NGOs are playing an increasingly important role. DACHSER’s partnership with children’s aid organization terre des hommes demonstrates how a company can support an NGO over the long term.

Environmental protection, human rights, joint development projects, migration, anti‑discrimination: the importance of non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, for society is great. Independent of states and governments, they advocate for social, socio-political, or environmental issues. The coronavirus crisis is making the work of NGOs more urgent, as humanitarian aid in developing countries is now more important than ever. This is a challenge for many such organizations, as their work is often hampered by travel bans as well as difficult working conditions and hygiene measures on site. In addition, many of those who donate are less willing to do so in times of crisis. Yet this is exactly what NGOs depend on, because in addition to membership fees, donations are their main source of financing. Transparency with regard to an organization’s cash flow and what it achieves with those funds is now all the more critical for strengthening donor confidence. Many NGOs inform their donors regularly via press releases, newsletters, or on their website about individual projects and the use of funds. NGOs are also monitored by auditing companies and the relevant tax authorities to ensure that they are using donations correctly. A “donation seal” from the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI), headquartered in Berlin, helps engender even greater trust on the part of the donors. The seal guarantees that the respective NGO is trustworthy and that the work they do is respectable.

DACHSER supports terre des hommes

According to estimates, there are currently tens of thousands of NGOs worldwide, providing medical care in crisis areas, looking after refugees, supporting micro-enterprises in the start-up phase, and more. One of the leading children’s aid organizations is terre des hommes. Founded in Germany in 1967, the organization protects children from slavery and exploitation, cares for the victims of war, violence, and abuse, and provides education and training for children. The German arm of terre des hommes currently supports 386 projects around the globe. International logistics provider DACHSER has been supporting the work of terre des hommes in South Asia, southern Africa, and Latin America since 2005. In keeping with the principle of “helping people to help themselves,” terre des hommes implements local aid projects to permanently improve the lives of children and the others in their villages. “As a global logistics company, we have operations around the world that bring people, markets, and manufacturing closer together. Yet not everyone is experiencing the benefits of globalization. It is our responsibility to stand up for these people and improve their living conditions,” explains Bernhard Simon, CEO at DACHSER.

By extending its contract with terre des hommes through 2025, DACHSER will be supporting the North Indian state of Bihar as well as projects in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Taking a look at the latter, Ingrid Mendonca is coordinating an aid project there for terre des hommes Germany and is enthusiastic about the commitment of the locals, especially now during the coronavirus pandemic. “Not only do the youth groups support their own communities, sew masks, and procure food, but they are also getting in touch with young people in other villages, districts, even states and getting organized,” Ingrid Mendonca says. “Their commitment to improving the situation is inspiring.”

DACHSER employees also benefit from their employer’s commitment to social responsibility and can support terre des hommes projects on site. For example: Melanie Diem, Team Leader Project Management at DACHSER, coordinated a sustainability project by terre des hommes and DACHSER in Livingstone, Zambia. DACHSER Young Professionals and students from the terre des hommes network took part in the project. “The participants’ commitment to the cause was very impressive. DACHSER employees have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the work of an NGO, an area with which they might otherwise never come into contact,” Melanie Diem explains.

A special kind of commitment

The partnership between DACHSER and terre des hommes shows that together, a commercial company and an NGO can achieve amazing things. “Our collaboration with DACHSER is particularly valuable and important to us because it involves a huge personal commitment and open and honest dialogue,” says Stephan Stolze, head of the fundraising department at terre des hommes. “DACHSER’s employees and CEO Bernhard Simon in particular are deeply involved in the terre des hommes projects funded by DACHSER. They want to know how the people on the ground are doing and to what extent DACHSER’s support succeeds in helping to improve the living conditions of the local people.” In 2018, DACHSER’s commitment was recognized with the German CSR Award in the “Social Engagement” category. Partnering with an NGO makes DACHSER a pioneer, as only a few companies in Germany support internationally active NGOs. “Larger, international companies in particular should seriously consider the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and support projects in these areas for as long as they can,” Stephan Stolze says.

DACHSER's transport network is prepared for dynamic changes

DACHSER says thank you - over the past few weeks, our customers have informed us in good time about their current transport requirements and included us in their planning. This has enabled us to quickly adjust our capacities to the actual demand. Due to the sharp decline in transport volumes in recent weeks, we have temporarily reduced transport capacities and installed special schedules.

The many measures taken to reduce new infections with the coronavirus have had a positive effect in many European countries in recent days. Initial easing measures, for example a partial reopening of retail outlets, are making everyday life easier for people. Since many industrial companies are also resuming production - albeit mostly at lower output levels - we expect transport volumes to remain volatile, but to increase again in principle.

With the active support of our customers, we are very well prepared for the coming period and will also be able to handle rising transport volumes again with the well-known DACHSER quality. It will continue to be very valuable for us in the future, too, that our customers continue to provide us with all the planning information that will enable us to adjust transport capacities and planning in line with demand.

We would like to thank you for your active cooperation during this very challenging period and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration, in which you can continue to rely on DACHSER.

Discontinuation of the additional service “cash on delivery”

Digitalization and automation are key topics in online business as well as in logistics. As a result, a large number of online payment options have developed that are used in B2B and B2C business worldwide. The hygiene measures established as a result of the Corona crisis and the change in payment behaviour make it more difficult to use means of payment such as "cash on delivery". For DACHSER, the previous additional service "cash on delivery" is no longer necessary and will therefore discontinue this form of payment from 1 July 2020.

DACHSER South Africa expands coastal cross-docking facilities

Cross-docking, where inbound cargo is unloaded from an incoming container, sorted and then loaded directly to outbound carriers, is an important logistics strategy that keeps supply chains moving in a productive, effective manner.  Logistics leader, DACHSER South Africa, has recently expanded its Durban operations to a new 3600sqm warehouse in Pinetown, Durban.

“The new off-loading and loading bays have increased our capacity to handle a number of containers at a time, enabling us to offer excellent turn-around times,” says Detlev Duve, DACHSER South Africa, Managing Director,  “The facility provides a dedicated central site for products to be sorted for delivery to multiple destinations in the most productive way, saving costs. Ultimately, our customers benefit from a more efficient supply chain.”

Deidre Smith, DACHSER Sea Freight Imports Manager,  says, “We’re able to consolidate shipments, or even break down larger shipments into smaller loads, for easier delivery. Storage and handling costs can be reduced as products spend less time in the warehouse. Cargo also typically reaches its final destination faster, giving our customers a competitive edge.”

Further to a spacious, well-equipped warehouse, Smith says that experienced staff and effective planning are the foundations of a successful operation. “Skilled staff are vital to the operation and management  of the warehouse.  From expert inventory control using Warehouse Management Systems,  through to our material handling equipment operators and cargo handling teams, we ensure that all our staff are well-trained and clear on the different goods and requirements of our customers.”

Smith explains that the goods that are most conducive to cross-docking are those that are in steady demand, usually higher volume, fast-moving products scheduled in regular dispatches to pre-planned destinations. DACHSER also has the experience to handle large or complex items. “Of course, the preferred cargo to handle is stackable, palletised cargo that fits neatly into racks can be easily transported, but we’ve become experts in handling the odd and awkward cargo too.  Taking care of customers cargo and avoiding damages is our top priority, and our Durban handling team has the experience to load the trucks safely and correctly.  We also ensure that the appropriate handling equipment is available when off-loading a container and manoeuvring the cargo around the warehouse.”  

The DACHSER team handles both Pre-Distribution, where goods are unloaded and despatched according to set distribution instructions, and Post-Distribution processes, usually for retailers, which entails flexible picking and packing according to demand, based on in-store inventory, sales forecasts and trends.
Duve says it is also essential to partner with reputable transporters that offer a regular and reliable service to move the goods from warehouse to customer door.    

“With all the right foundations in place, cross-docking has become part of the seamless supply chain solution DACHSER South Africa offers to our customers, which further includes contract logistics, value-added warehousing, customs clearance and customs warehousing services,” says Duve.

About DACHSER:

A family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, DACHSER is a leading supplier of logistics services worldwide.

DACHSER offers comprehensive transport logistics, warehousing, and customer-specific services in two business fields: DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics and DACHSER Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: DACHSER European Logistics and DACHSER Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract-logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

Thanks to some 30,995 employees at 393 locations all over the globe, DACHSER generated revenue of 5.66 billion euros in 2019. That same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 80.6 million shipments weighing 41. million metric tons. Country organizations represent DACHSER in 44 countries.