FROM A FAMILY BUSINESS TO A GLOBAL BRAND

“A family business has an advantage over other businesses because it treats customers and employees as family members. Therefore, we offer ‘human face’ logistics. Partnership and loyalty are part of this style of cooperation. We have many long-term clients. Their business is changing over the years and we are adapting to them. This constant development is part of our company’s genes. We not only provide services but also make a promise that must be delivered – always on time, with attention to detail and at the highest level of quality. That is why we have been looking for innovative solutions for many years, always putting our clients first. In this way, we invest in the future, in sustainable solutions and projects that bring long-term benefits,” says Ewald Raben, CEO of Raben Group. 

BIRTH OF THE GLOBAL BRAND

In 1931, in the small town of Meddo-Winterswijk in the Netherlands, Jan W Raben, grandfather of the current CEO, started to transport products of the local farmers to the market. The next milestone was when the founder’s son, Theo Raben, took over the helm of the company in 1960, and he developed, e.g. the transport of textiles to and from Poland. But the first step abroad was taken by the grandson, Ewald. After the transformation of 1989, he spotted the opportunity for development on the Polish market and he went there with the aim of setting up a Raben branch. It was then he bought a map of Poland and marked twelve locations that were to become branches in different parts of the country.

EXPANSION INTO EUROPE

The last 30 years have been a history of continuous development of the company and dynamic expansion into foreign markets. In 2002, Fresh Logistics Polska appeared on the market, which specializes in servicing fresh products which require controlled temperature.

The period from 2003 to 2010 brought about expansion to new markets. In 2003, the first branch was opened in Ukraine and a year later the operations of Raben Group in Europe covered Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In 2008, the company entered the Czech and Slovak markets and after two years it was also present in Hungary. 

2016 was the beginning of business in Romania. In 2017, Raben started operation in Italy, and in 2020, it became the sole owner of Raben Sittam. Bulgaria joined the Raben family in 2019, where the company opened its first branch in Sofia.

The German market is very important for Raben Group. The company is building up its position there organically and through acquisitions. Currently, Raben has its own independent transport network there with 34 branches.

The Group portfolio is complemented by Raben East which, since 2017, has been offering international road transport services, including regular groupage connections with Eastern countries, as well as customs agency services and advisory in organizing transport to Eastern markets.

INNOVATIONS

Raben Group has been focusing on digitalization on many levels – from physical processes to robotization of office processes using RPA (Robotic Process Automation). It has implemented platforms that automatically provide information to customers and platforms which predict ETA (estimated time of arrival). In the area of warehouse automation and robotics, implementation processes include devices measuring shipments, autonomous or semi-automated forklifts as well as “cobotic” arms. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and many other solutions increase the efficiency of warehousing and transportation processes.

90 YEARS ON THE WAY WITH ECOLOGY

Corporate social responsibility is an inherent part of the Raben DNA. That is why the company decided to celebrate its 90th anniversary in a rather unusual way, by inviting customers and internet users on an eco2way tour of Europe. Company employees and eco-enthusiasts are playing the role of tour guides who tell the story of twenty places that are at risk due to climate change. You can follow the entire tour at www.raben90years.com and on the company’s social media.

“We have achieved a lot over these 90 years through partnership and transparent cooperation with our customers, which makes us proud and at the same time ready to face new challenges, such as climate change. We want to set trends in the market in the area of sustainability not just by having green trucks and warehouses or planting trees, but by all the processes we use. We are trying to make them as environmentally friendly as possible. This is our responsibility. And because our relationship with our customers is based on partnership, I am confident they too will join us in this sustainable way of doing business,” explains Raben.

TIME FOR THE CELEBRATION OF BETTER TOMORROW

The year 2021 will undoubtedly be an interesting milestone in the history of Raben Group. It is not only another year of development of logistics and new technologies but above all a time to think about the future. If the overriding goal is to provide future generations with the same natural resources as are available now, it is the best foundation for the common efforts to have a better, green Europe.