Almost a year ago, Franz-Josef Miller, the long-time helmsman of Lufthansa Cargo daughter subsidiary time:matters left the special speed logistics company. Ever since then, not much was heard of the dynamic and innovative manager. Until last week. Then, the UK-based service logistics specialist Carousel announced that “FJ”, as he is commonly called, has become the Group’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.
In his job description four key elements stand out: establish the Carousel Logistics Group as major player in continental Europe; build a European sales team based in a newly founded innovation
centre located adjacent to Frankfurt Airport; support the organic growth of the Group particularly in Northern Europe and, last but not least, identify potential M&A opportunities.
Quite a workload the Carousel bosses Graham and Michael Martin have laid on FJ’s shoulders!
Cooperation instead of competition
With his profound knowledge of special speed logistics gained over years at time:matters, Miller and his future sales team could start a fierce competition between his former company and the
Carousel Group on orders and market shares. When being asked, he immediately denies such concerns. “Instead, both firms cooperate closely since years to their mutual advantage,” FJ
emphasizes.
Fact is that “both companies are in constant dialogue, exchanging views, discussing joint business opportunities.” While time:matters concentrates primarily on an international flight network for
their time-critical transports and ‘airmates’ named on-board courier services, Carousel focuses its activities and customer services on the first and last mile within a given supply chain of
goods. Target group are enterprises offering high-performance technology products, such as the after-sales market for the healthcare or the mechanical engineering sector, the automotive and also
agricultural industry.
Fast expanding niche market
Companies active in these fields don’t need any one-fits-all and standard transport solutions offered by the big logistics players but require dedicated and extremely flexible services tailored
to their specific needs. These are rendered, Carousel claims, by their firm in combination with their Munich-based subsidiary LSi Logistik GmbH. “It’s just a niche market we are active in but one
with large growth potential,” Miller emphasizes.
Combination of logistics and technical services
And what exactly motivated him to jump on the Carousel?
There were three decisive reasons, FJ says: Firstly, the management team is first class. “Due to mutual projects conducted by time:matters and Carousel in the past, I have known them for some
time. Particularly the Martin brothers who founded the company are very dynamic, have an entrepreneurial spirit and extremely dedicated to ensure customers the best service obtainable.”
Secondly, Miller mentions the matching of the Carousel management’s and his own business thinking. “Customer care goes far beyond the transportation of goods, it includes a wide spectrum of
technical services as well.” According to him, this combination of dedicated logistics services and technical assistance is the name of the game, standing on top of Carousel’s corporate
philosophy.
Brexit casts its shadow
Finally, he was triggered by the management’s decision to propel the company’s growth trajectory to a higher level, focusing on continental Europe. With the Brexit on the horizon, Carousel
decided to concentrate their activities on the EU market, rather than investing in further UK projects.
The combination of these factors, including the right chemistry between him and the Carousel management led him to jump on board.
Heiner Siegmund
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