Biogas has been used to fuel FREJA’s transport in Finland since the beginning of December 2018.
FREJA started semi-trailer transport in collaboration with Gasum with the Iveco Stralis NP tractor unit. The collaboration is related to a study carried out under the CIVITAS ECCENTRIC project co-funded by the EU.
This study produces research data on the use of gas in heavy-duty transport. The CIVITAS ECCENTRIC project is developing a sustainable mobility system by testing biogas vehicles and the increased use of biogas in logistics.
– With gas our operating range is round 1,000 km. Gasum filling stations can be found easy along our transport route. Filling stations can be found in locations including Turku, the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Jyväskylä. This study provides research data so that more operators can include gas-fuelled vehicles in their fleet, says Transport Coordinator Antti Setälä from FREJA.
– It’s important to cut heavy-duty road transport emissions and it’s great that frontrunner operators such as FREJA make environment friendly choices. The transport use of LBG enables considerable emission reductions, and this development helps cut CO2 and fine particulate emissions in the Turku region, says Senior Sales Manager Jani Arala from Gasum.
Energy company Gasum is the leading supplier of biogas in the Nordic countries.
The transport use of biogas can reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of the fuel by up to 85% when compared to traditional fuels.
Renewable biogas is produced from feedstocks.
– We want to develop efficient transport solutions where the environmental burden is minimized. Quality and responsibility are our core values,” says Traffic Director Sampo Koulu from FREJA.
Finnish FREJA Transport & Logistics Oy, a part of the Nordic FREJA Group, offers road transport, sea freight and air freight. FREJA has offices in Turku (headquarters), Vantaa and Vaasa. Read more about FREJA’s quality and environment.
The CIVITAS ECCENTRIC project was launched to develop a smart and clean mobility system. The first Finnish CIVITAS city Turku aims for carbon neutrality through measures such as electrifying public transport and expanding the use of biofuels. Launched in September 2016, the EU co-funded CIVITAS ECCENTRIC tests biogas vehicles and the increased use of biogas in logistics. The project enables this piloting until 2020. Photos:
In mid-April, we welcomed a new Branch Director for FREJA in Szczecin. We are pleased to have Grzegorz Giel on board, who brings almost twenty years of experience in serving Scandinavian markets, gained from companies such as Enterprise Logistics and DB Schenker.
About starting in FREJA, Grzegorz says: "After the opening of the Szczecin terminal, which makes an impressive impression, FREJA in Poland faces challenges related to further development."
There is no doubt that one of the priorities will be to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new facility in Szczecin.
Grzegorz continues: "My goal is to develop groupage and LTL shipments, not only for FREJA's large Scandinavian market but also in Western Europe. We have a great team in Szczecin, which received me very positively. It is a great pleasure and satisfaction to be part of FREJA when we have such opportunities for the development of our organization and customer support."
FREJA has since 2019 been validated and approved for storing organic goods for our customers in our logistics center at Berger, North of Oslo.
After Brexit became a fact on January 1st, 2021, UK was defined as a third country when it comes to importing organic goods, and due to this, new requirements were imposed on the first recipient of organic goods from the UK. To further strengthen our services to our customers, FREJA in Norway has once again requested validation as an approved first recipient, now also for goods coming from outside the EU.
[caption id="attachment_23688" align="alignnone" width="800"]Our professional staff follows specific processes for handling organic goods.[/caption]
"Storing organic goods requires specific processes for handling, and in particular, this applies to organic goods coming from third countries." says Joar Bjørndal, Head of Logistics at FREJA in Norway.
We are proud to announce that our Norwegian branch is now certified as the first recipient of organic products, also from third countries, and we are pleased to offer this service to our existing and new customers.
We also offer this service in Denmark, where we have been approved by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration for several years.
Since the last issue of our newsletter, one subject has had a strong presence – not only in FREJA but in all society – the world-wide pandemic COVID-19. We have constantly initiated the necessary health-related precautions and adapted to the situation in order to keep FREJA and our customers in business.
One of FREJA’s customers, Radius Distillery, has proven to be particularly adaptable. Normally, they produce liquor, but as the Corona crisis started, Radius Distillery changed their production into producing hand sanitizer. FREJA has the great pleasure of distributing the products.
Last year, FREJA started the construction of a new domicile in Szczecin, Poland. Luckily, the construction has not been affected by the Corona crisis and will be ready to open as planned in June. We look forward to having the opportunity to present the result when we will be allowed to gather a larger group of people.
The past months have also been spent on writing our CSR report for 2019. In FREJA, we have taken on a responsibility to reduce the CO2 emission. Therefore, we constantly work on creating sustainable transport solutions in close cooperation with our customers.
FREJA’s annual report for 2019 has been published recently. We have created a minor increase in turnover compared to 2018, and we present a total group turnover of DKK 3.34 billion.
The above mentioned topics are a selection of the articles which you can read in FREJA’s newsletter. Now, we look forward to a summer where the level of activity hopefully will increase following the Corona crisis. The different countries are slowly opening up again, and I am pleased that we receive inquiries from our customers on a daily basis.
I wish you all a fine summer and hope you enjoy reading the newsletter.
Jan Sunde
Our annual report has just been published, and it shows an improved result for 2019.
Improved result for 2019 - FREJA's annual report gives reason for continued optimism
In FREJA, we have just presented our annual report for 2019 and it shows a total turnover for the group of DKK 3.34 billion. FREJA Denmark’s part of this is DKK 1.7 billion with a minor increase in turnover compared to 2018. In Denmark, we have had a special focus in 2019 on further developing our European groupage system and to offer global logistics solutions. We have carried out a successful integration of Transcargo and obtained positive synergies in the Danish organization. Especially our road traffics, project division, and logistics department have grown in 2019. We have strengthened the organization in sales and marketing, and we are convinced that we have a very solid platform as a basis for further growth.
Through more than 10 years, FREJA has invested massively in the development of our IT tools, and 2019 is no exception. We invest partly to optimize and streamline our own business, but also to become more competitive and to give advantages to our customers in their value chain. The presentation of MyFREJA and not least our associated extra services such as consultancy services have been a success, and we continue to develop our IT-platform. It is still our ambition that the product will give considerable financial advantages to all parties and help lift FREJA’s position in the European transport industry.
2020 has started off well. We had a Q1 that lived up to our expectations, while the outlook for the rest of the year is uncertain because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are optimistic, and we believe to have a business foundation and a team to carry us through the crisis.
Radius Distillery restructured their business and started producing hand sanitizer when society needed it the most.
From hand-crafted spirits to hand sanitizer - FREJA is agile with Radius Distillery
When the Corona crisis hit Denmark in February, and the country was basically shut down, many companies were put to the test. Several companies had to come up with alternative business models to ensure survival. One of these companies is Radius Distillery, which normally produces hand-crafted spirits at Oremandsgaard Estate in Præstø, Denmark.
To ensure survival, Radius Distillery saw the need to restructure their own business. They decided to expand their product range in a slightly different direction, and they started producing hand sanitizer. In a week, they obtained the necessary permits and changed the equipment they normally use so they could start the production. Not only did the restructuring mean that they could save the company, but it also meant they could help the community.
Kristian Larsen, Co-Founder of Radius Distillery, is pleasantly surprised by the kindness and willingness to help with which they have been met. “When we announced that we were going to produce hand sanitizer, everyone was ready to help right away. Our partners and suppliers prioritized our tasks, so we had everything we needed to get started and thus contribute to the community. Among other things, it is because of them that we were able to change the production within a week”.
For Radius Distillery, it is essential to have a transport partner who is agile just like them. “The collaboration with FREJA has exceeded all our expectations. From the very beginning, they have delivered competitive prices and high-quality service. FREJA has always shown flexibility, and it was no problem when we suddenly had to deliver hand sanitizer to pharmacies, hardware stores, and private companies. We are more than satisfied with our cooperation, and we appreciate that it has always been easy to cooperate with FREJA”, Kristian from Radius Distillery elaborates.
Radius Distillery produced a FREJA gin with ingredients such as juniper, sea buckthorn, and yellow bedstraw.
At FREJA, we value strong partnerships with our customers, as we then can help each other grow and develop. Just as FREJA has helped Radius Distillery, they have also helped us. Last year, we chose them when we wanted to produce our very own FREJA gin, and we were very satisfied with the result. So satisfied that all our employees received a FREJA gin for Christmas, for which we have only received positive feedback.
We appreciate our cooperation with Radius Distillery, and we are happy that we can help each other when needed - especially in these times when change readiness has proved to be extra important.
The new logistics center in Szczecin contains modern warehouses with 20.000 pallet spaces.
FREJA can soon offer extended solutions from our brand new logistics center in Poland
The construction of our new logistics center in Szczecin is progressing as planned, and it is almost ready. In May, we completed the IT installations and set up racking systems in the warehouse, and we are currently installing electricity and water supply in the building. We are putting the finishing touches to the offices, and we expect to get the keys to the building in mid-June. We plan to move from the old location around the 21st of June, and if possible, we hope to have the official opening in September.
We have welcomed three new Business Development Managers to the team - Łukasz Kaczmarek, Przemysław Kulbat, and Remigiusz Gumowski. All of them have several years of experience within this industry, and with their professionalism and competencies, they will contribute to FREJA’s growth and development in Poland. Their role is to provide the best contract logistics opportunities for our customers and help them find the right solutions for their businesses.
From the left: Łukasz Kaczmarek, Przemysław Kulbat, and Remigiusz Gumowski.
Szczecin is an optimal location for logistics activities as it is close to Germany and provides easy access to the rest of Poland. With the new location, we can offer efficient solutions through our strong distribution system, as well as a state-of-the-art logistics center. The new logistics center in Szczecin contains modern warehouses with 20.000 pallet spaces, and with space for 250 trucks, this location is the focal point to and from Scandinavia and the Continent. There is plenty of room for our customers’ goods, and we offer services such as handling, packaging, labeling, storage, and other value-added services that are supported by a modern WMS system.
In addition to the Szczecin location, we have offices in Łódź, Błonie, Gdynia, and Tczew, so we can help ease your flow of goods via Poland. With the new facility, FREJA in Poland will be one of the largest logistics operators in the country and a valuable partner for your company.
In Poland, we will continue to offer the reliable, dedicated, and flexible solutions that we are known for, and you can expect to receive the same high-quality service that we always strive to provide. We are excited to expand our services, and we look forward to welcoming you to our new logistics center.
Click on the pictures of our logistics center to see them in full size.
For questions regarding your opportunities with FREJA in Poland, please contact your local FREJAN or our Managing Director in Poland, Tomasz Cegielski.
FREJA support UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are currently focusing on SDG number 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 16, and 17.
FREJA presents CSR report for 2019, which is based on the UN's SDGs
We are proud to present our CSR report for 2019. We have previously sent out a CSR report for 2017 and 2018, and this marks the third report.
At FREJA, we take responsibility. By issuing a CSR report annually, we strive to increase transparency across all stages of the supply chain so that our customers and partners have the best prerequisites for running a sustainable business.
CSR, or Corporate Social Responsibility, is one of the strategic areas we focus on. As a transport and logistics company, we are well aware that our activities affect the environment, and we do our best to minimize our impact. We are actively working on creating innovative solutions and optimizing our work processes to be more eco-friendly. However, CSR is not just about the environment and climate, it is also about the responsibility we have for society and our employees. In FREJA, we make a virtue of cultivating both the internal and external community. We provide good working conditions for all our employees, and we support the local community.
Our efforts and values are reflected in 8 of UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also referred to as the SDGs. The CSR report for 2019 is based on the 8 SDGs that we at FREJA focus on, as they help give a good overview of our actions in these areas. We have chosen to work with the SDGs as they provide a good framework for guidance and inspiration. The SDGs that we focus on are:
3. Health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
8. Decent jobs and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
12. Responsible consumption and production
16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals
We hope that we can inspire other companies to make sustainable choices and that we can introduce even more sustainable initiatives in 2020.
To learn more about our approach to CSR, you are always welcome to contact QES Manager, Eric Clausen.
The whole world has unfortunately been affected by COVID-19.
COVID-19 – a special situation, which requires special precautions
Naturally, COVID-19 and the worldwide pandemic has had an influence on FREJA during the past three months. It is a very exceptional situation, which has spread rapidly throughout the world with large consequences for humanity and the world economy. In FREJA, we have experienced a relatively large cutback in activities on certain markets, while we have seen increased activities in other segments. We have continuously adapted to the situation, and to the farthest extent possible, a group of employees have worked from home, in order for us to limit the presence in the offices as much as possible. On the other hand, our terminal and warehouse staff have met for work facing huge changes in the daily work such as working in smaller teams with proper distance between each team, modified working hours, and other precautions. It has been a time with a new kind of team spirit, we have imposed on the flexibility of all employees, and we have also discovered other means of communication and ways to meet.
All FREJA countries have been affected by the situation. As we all know, it started in China, and FREJA’s employees began to work from home in the beginning of February. Many companies in China are now back to normal, and all means of transportation operate close to normal again. If we may assist you with transport assignments to/from the Far East, the team in our project department is ready to take your call.
Coronavirus has not disappeared from the society, and we continue to take our precautions and act responsibly with respect to everybody’s health. We clean, we use sanitizer, we keep our distance, and we show consideration for one another.
But we are also very ready to look to the future. Our physical surroundings, as well as our organization and employees, are ready to handle the wide range of inquiries which we receive from our customers.
People’s Business, modern technology and a lean platform are still keywords for ambitious FREJA
The transport & logistics group FREJA Transport & Logistics Holding A/S presents a satisfactory but not flashy result for 2018. Once again, the subsidiaries in Norway and Finland are the ones to deliver results above market level. In 2018 the Swedish subsidiary disappoints once again. 2018 was “year one” after the acquisition of Transcargo, which has resulted in some integration costs. The Danish part of Transcargo is 100 % implemented and merged into the Danish FREJA, and the result in the Danish subsidiary meets the expectations for 2018. In 2019 focus is on the Polish subsidiary, where the trucking part operates as an independent company. Furthermore, we have started construction of a brand-new HUB on a 75,000 m2 site in Szczecin. Our ambition is, that the new center will be ready on May 1st, 2020, and that the Polish subsidiary will transfer onto FREJA’s it-platform during the third quarter of 2019. The development in the Group and the integration during the course of the year, have progressed according to plan, so we have good reason to believe in continued growth as well as optimism.
The FREJA Group continuous the stabile development and is profitable in 2018
FREJA Transport & Logistics Holding A/S has a growth in turnover from 2017 to 2018 of 22,5 %. The total turnover in 2018 amounts to a total of DKK 3.12 billion.
EBIT amounts to DKK 51.4 mill. in 2018 against DKK 41.6 mill in 2017. The result before tax amounts to DKK 38.0 mill in 2018 compared to DKK 59.4 mill in 2017. The result in 2017 was influenced positively by non-recurring revenues, and 2018 is influenced negatively by transition and integration costs related to the purchase of Transcargo.
Group equity has increased from DKK 252.2 mill in 2017 to DKK 285.5 mill in 2018. The solvency ratio decreased from 37.2 % to 29.6 % at the end of 2018. The development in Denmark – including a controlled integration with Transcargo’s former Danish activities, has been positive resulting in increased revenue. In Norway we have opened a new office in Aalesund and in general the development in the subsidiaries in Norway and Finland are very positive.
Sweden does not live up to expectations for 2018. The continuing negative trend has resulted in a change in management in the beginning of 2019 and management resources have been added from Denmark as well. The Air & Sea segment has been strengthened by new employments, and we have invested in a stronger sales organization. The Swedish company still estimates a deficit for 2019 and the parent r company has added the necessary capital.
The newly acquired company in Poland has shown an excellent development and the potential for continuing growth is large. Likewise, China has had a fine development in as well turnover as earnings – a development we predict to continue in 2019.
In spite of massive investments in new technologies, transport is still a People’s Business
During more than 10 years, FREJA has invested massively in it’s it-platform and 2018 is no exception. We invest partly to optimize our own business, partly to become more competitive, but also to give our customers advantages in the value chain. We have launched MyFREJA to the delight of our customers, and we participate in a research project concerning exchange of data with customers and suppliers. We expect, that the final product will give significant financial advantages to all parties and thereby help lift the Danish transport business.
“Our focus is to continue to develop long-term relations with customers as well as suppliers. In spite of our large focus on efficiency improvements, we are also aware that humans are still the most important resource in the cooperation – transport is a People’s Business. The key-words for us in a cooperation are openness, trust and credibility. We have always run our business on the basis of strong values. We work on a daily basis to make a difference for our customers and make sure that together we will become a little bit better every day”, says Jørgen Hansen founder of and Chairman of the Board in the FREJA Group.
Readiness, humility and continued ambitions sets the agenda in the always hungry Jutlandic Group
“A reasonable annual result for 2018, but we are ready, and we have the ambition to show that we can do better. Our focus in 2018 has been on utilization of new technologies and integration of Transcargo. This year, our biggest focus will be on our new position on the Polish market together with re-establishment of the Swedish subsidiary, however it will not influence our development in China, Norway and Finland. The development for the first quarter of 2019 shows that we are on the right track. We have the platform and we are ready to reap the benefits of past years’ massive investments. And should there be further consolidation possibilities, we are also ready to take a look at that,” Jørgen Hansen finishes.
FREJA has expanded its online services. We are proud to announce that now you can track your shipments by air or sea with higher precision and easy accessibility. Now with extended and precise information about your shipment on Air and Sea freight.
To use our Track & Trace service, please head over to the following webpage, where you can enter your Air – MAWB no. or Sea – Container no.
After entering your information a screen prompt will pop up with the information about your shipment immediately.
Get instant information about your shipment. No need for a user ID or password. Just insert your tracking ID in our formula to view the latest updates on your shipment – fast, easy, and convenient.
If you have any questions about the functionality or accessibility, please reach out to your FREJA representative, and we will provide you with the necessary information for you to access updates and information about your shipments.
Violence in connection with the G20 summit in Hamburg today and the coming days, can cause irregularities for deliveries and pickups, not only in the Hamburg region but in all areas where we transit Hamburg.
In FREJA, we believe that education is important. Therefore, we are very happy that we have recently welcomed 11 young people who have chosen to start their two-year education of becoming a freight forwarder or logistics assistant in FREJA. Having new trainees in our organization also implies that others are fully-educated as freight forwarders. This year, we congratulate 15 freight forwarders, logistics assistants, and finance assistants, and most of them have accepted our offer to continue working for FREJA. We look forward to continuing the journey with them.
Since 2017 FREJA Padborg has participated in a project which strives to get young people to work or get an education. In this newsletter, we have an article about Nana, who has been an intern at the warehouse. You can also read about our investment in 75 new trailers from TIP Trailer Services to Poland and our UK traffic. We are thus expanding the fleet and now have 2800 trailers.
On July 1st, FREJA in Poland opened a new logistics center in Szczecin, which has become our new headquarter for Poland. We offer advanced logistics solutions, and we have daily linehaul trucks to and from Scandinavia.
On 20th August, the EU has passed a mobility package which will affect the transport sector severely. At the time of writing, we do not know the consequences of the EU mobility package, because the implementation of the new initiatives will last more than three years. We will keep our customers informed through FREJA’s webpage or future newsletters.
In each FREJA newsletter, we bring focus on a customer. In this edition, you have the opportunity to read about Dansu, who, among other things, import masks from China. For several years, Dansu has collaborated with FREJA on road transport and has now chosen FREJA for air freight transports.
I wish you happy reading.
We congratulate all the graduates who finished this year.
FREJA’s new modern logistics center in Poland has opened
Szczecin is the new headquarter for Poland and employs around 50 people in different departments such as forwarding, warehousing, cross-docking, accounting, IT, HR, and administration, as well as around 85 drivers who is connected to our trucks. Some functions support all of FREJA Poland, whereas others are local activities.
On July 1st, FREJA opened a new logistics center in Szczecin. We offer a modern warehouse with 10,000 sqm and parking space for 250 trucks. The new location is our focal point between Poland and Scandinavia on the one hand and Poland and European groupage services on the other hand. We offer complex logistics solutions, including services such as handling, packaging, labeling, storage, and other value-added services that are supported by a modern WMS system.
About the opening of our new logistics center, FREJA’s Chairman of the Board in Poland, Torben Mortensen, says: “As expected, the opening went well, and with the new facilities we have the best prerequisites of delivering value-added services to our customers. We have already integrated the first customers with success, and have room for more activity and would very much like to welcome you to our new logistics center”.
We have a strong focus on the development of E-commerce, and we have experienced large increases in freight volumes over the past two years. For this reason, we have chosen to dedicate employees to handle these tasks, as it requires expertise to handle large volume fluctuations and to be able to guarantee next day delivery. Previously, we only handled the transport flow, but with the new facilities we can handle the entire logistics.
In connection with the expansion of our department in Poland, we have also focused on our trucking division. This year we are expanding the fleet from 68 to 88 trucks. This with both 2-axle and 3-axle trucks to strengthen the FREJA brand and focus on quality, environment, and the right driver conditions. Torben Mortensen elaborates: “We want to ensure that our drivers have the most optimal conditions in the industry. For this reason, we have, among other things, established modern welfare rooms for the drivers, social facilities, and a laundry room of a high standard”.
If you want to learn more about the solutions we offer in Szczecin, please feel free to contact your local FREJAN or Torben Mortensen.
FREJA expands the fleet with 75 new trailers
FREJA has invested in 75 new Schmitz Cargobull Telematik curtain trailers from TIP Trailer Services. Of the 75 new trailers, 50 of them are for FREJA in Poland, and the remaining 25 trailers are for our UK traffic.
Poland has become an important expansion area for FREJA, and on the 1st of July this year, our brand new modern logistics center opened in Szczecin. Regarding the expansion of the fleet, the chairman of the board and founder of FREJA, Jørgen Hansen, says: “FREJA and TIP have had good cooperation in the Nordic region for many years, and after our establishment and expansion in Poland, the need for equipment on Polish plates has grown significantly. TIP could offer that solution, so now we are starting up with 50 new modern trailers for Poland. The remaining 25 trailers are for our UK traffic, where we have seen an increased need for specially secured trailers to prevent theft and other inconveniences.
According to Morten Hakmann, Sales Director for Denmark and Norway at TIP, the long-term collaboration between FREJA and TIP is based on mutual understanding and trust. "For a long time now, we have had a Nordic collaboration both within leasing, but also in our workshops. We are naturally very happy that the collaboration has expanded with Poland”, Morten Hakmann says.
Recently, FREJA was also able to announce the investment in 65 new trailers for the Nordic countries. The new trailers are 8 walking floor trailers, 18 reefers, 17 standard tautliners, 4 swop bodies, and 18 Krone/Liebner trailers with flexible sides and roof.
FREJA has thus, within a short time, expanded the fleet with 140 new trailers, which are both a replacement and expansion of the existing fleet. The trailers got a technological boost so that we can improve the service to our customers, and we look forward to starting using them. The total fleet now counts 2800 trailers in the FREJA group.
FREJA helps Dansu with air freight of protective equipment from China
Since the corona crisis hit Denmark at the beginning of the year, there has been a great demand for goods such as hand sanitizers and masks, as this can help minimize the spread of virus.
The family-owned company, Dansu A/S, has also felt the increase in demand. The company is best known for importing raw cotton, which they process at their location in Ganløse. The cotton is then used to produce swabs and cotton wool, which they deliver to shops, pharmacies, and hospitals. Dansu has produced the cotton swabs that are used in COVID-19 tests. In addition to these products, they also sell CE approved masks in which they have experienced an increasing demand due to COVID-19.
It is this type of mask (Type IIR) that FREJA transported with air freight from China to Denmark for Dansu A/S.
Dansu's suppliers on masks are located in China, and therefore it was necessary to have a logistics partner who could transport the goods home to Denmark. For several years, Dansu has collaborated with FREJA on road transport, and it was only natural to also choose FREJA on air freight.
During the course of August, FREJA has delivered around 1000 packages = 50 pallets of masks to Denmark from China, which corresponds to approximately 2,2 million masks, and many more are on the way. Désirée E. Danechi, Assistant Manager at Dansu, says: “We are so grateful for FREJA and especially Nicolai Christensen's efforts with transporting these masks to Denmark. Everything has been smooth, and you are helping to protect so many people because of your work. Thank you so much!”
When our customers are happy, we are happy, and when we get to contribute to society, it doesn’t get much better. If you have an international transport need, then we have the solution. Contact FREJA’s Sales Director, Franz Andersen, to hear more about how we can help you.
FREJA launches a new campaign that puts focus on the FREJANS
In FREJA, we are working on a project, where we focus on all the people who are in FREJA – the so-called the FREJANS. People know us mostly for our trucks with our "FREJA" logo, but it is all the employees who make the difference and differentiate us from our competitors. Without everyone in FREJA, we would not be the company we are today.
In the last period, we have started the video production of three new corporate films, each of which provides an insight into who FREJA is and what we can do for our customers. The three new films are a brand film, a pharma & healthcare film, and a film where you can get to know the FREJANS better. Each film focuses on something different, but what they have in common is that they have the FREJANS in the center.
The purpose of the brand film and the pharma & healthcare film is to tell what we can do for our customers and what value-creating services we can offer. The purpose of the FREJAN film is to show how we work together and give an insight into our culture and who the FREJANS are in a humoristic way.
To make the films, we have received help from the filmmaker, Morten Bo Johansson, who, among other things, has made films for Bang & Olufsen and Jack & Jones, as well as the talented photographer Philip Ørneborg. Together, the two have been around some of our different locations and gotten to know the FREJANS quite well, so they had the best prerequisites of visualizing the culture in FREJA and who we are.
We look forward to unveiling all the films, but so far, you have to settle for some pictures from the film shooting.
FREJA films - behind the scenes.
Nana became a part of Teddy Petersen's team in the warehouse as an intern at FREJA.
FREJA participates in the project "Unge på Toppen"
Since 2017, when the project started, FREJA in Padborg has been a loyal partner. "Unge på Toppen" is a job project that, in collaboration with Jobcenter Aabenraa and multiple companies, strives to get young people to work or get an education.
This year, FREJA in Padborg had the honor of having Nana as an intern at the warehouse. Warehouse Manager, Teddy Petersen, and his team took Nana under their wings for approximately ten weeks. Nana explored what it is like to go to work, and she has tried tasks such as packing and picking of goods.
“It has been a pleasure to have Nana as an intern here. She got the opportunity to try out different tasks, and she was not afraid to try something new. The team and I wish her all the best of luck”, says Teddy Petersen.
The internship has given Nana a good insight into how a warehouse works, and she has now started working at ISS after a successful time at FREJA.
Project leader, Thomas Schmidt-Sonne, says: "From Unge på Toppen and Jobcenter Aabenraa, we would like to give many thanks to Teddy and the rest of FREJA for a good collaboration - together we help the young people move on with their lives".
FREJA is proud to be part of this project, and we look forward to welcoming more interns in the future.
Facts about the project
In the spring of 2017, the first project in Aabenraa Municipality was completed with great success. The project has over the past four years, proceeded with a success rate of around 70-75%. The project targets young people who, for various reasons, are receiving cash benefits, but who are ready to try something new and push some boundaries. The project extends over an 18-20 week intensive course consisting of three focus areas: diet and exercise, personal development, and company internship.
A total of 108 young people have started up over six projects. 94 of them have completed. The remaining 14 young people have dropped out during the project, primarily because meeting stability is required, but also because there is zero-tolerance for abuse.
As we have kicked off the last month of the year, we look back at 2021 as a year influenced by COVID-19, changed conditions for the transport industry, large deviations in transport volumes, and lack of components and raw materials. Especially, the road sector is influenced by increasing individual protectionism and changed conditions in various countries, which have had comprehensive consequences and set pressure on the supply chain in Europe and the rest of the world. Likewise, the sea and air sectors have experienced a severe lack of capacity.
In FREJA, we have also faced problems because of COVID-19 and the related challenges concerning the security of supply at the national as well as the international markets. Our competent employees have had a constant focus on readjusting and adapting to the situation. Therefore, we have been able to maintain the supply chain and service our customers in the best way possible.
In 2021, FREJA and SDK merged, and we are now in a position where all our 1300 committed employees give us the best conditions to service international and national transport and logistics markets.
I thank you for your cooperation and trust in FREJA during 2021 and look forward to continuing our cooperation in 2022.
On behalf of FREJA Transport & Logistics A/S, I wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
FREJA's Torben Mortensen (left) and BESTSELLER's Anders Frost Nygård
BESTSELLER expands the partnership with FREJA on HVO biodiesel trucks from Poland to Belgium and The Netherlands
Since the 14th of October, 2021, FREJA has been using HVO biodiesel on truck movements from Poland to Belgium and The Netherlands for the Danish family-owned clothing and accessories company, BESTSELLER. BESTSELLER employs more than 15,000 people in 38 countries working for more than 20 known fashion brands such as JACK & JONES, VERO MODA, VILA, and many more.
The decision to implement more environmentally-friendly routes is based on BESTSELLER’s ambitious Fashion FWD strategy, which aims at making sustainability central to the way of doing business.
“In a market facing severe conditions like lack of drivers and high demand for external hauliers, it was a must-do to inhouse these transports in order to allow ourselves to drive with alternative fuels like biodiesel. We are very pleased about this sustainable solution with FREJA, who has been a trusted partner throughout the years. We are looking forward to further expanding the use of HVO with FREJA on daily departures to the Nordics from January 2022”, says Anders Frost Nygård, E-Commerce Distribution/Carrier Manager at BESTSELLER.
What is biodiesel?
There are different types of biodiesel, but overall, they can be categorized into first- and second-generation biodiesel. B100 is first-generation biodiesel that comes from common feedstocks (primarily rapeseed crops), and it provides up to 60% CO2e reduction. HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), on the other hand, is second-generation biodiesel produced from waste products (e.g. used cooking oil), and it can provide up to a 90% reduction in CO2e. These types of biodiesels are both considered climate-neutral in the combustion phase, but the emissions that come from processing the biodegradable products into fuel cannot be completely reduced, however, they are limited.
Long-term and trusted partnership
At FREJA, we are always looking for sustainable and environmentally-friendly transport solutions, and we are very positive about expanding our collaboration with BESTSELLER. We want to develop together with our customers and try out new types of sustainable alternatives to diesel that benefit the environment, but we cannot do it alone. A green transition comes with increased costs, so it is important with partners who are willing to invest in this type of fuel.
“Our partnership with BESTSELLER is unique, and this project has become a reality because they are willing to invest in sustainable fuel. For this specific collaboration with BESTSELLER, we have chosen to use our own trucks to gain valuable knowledge on HVO biodiesel. By using our own trucks, we can measure the consumption, service intervals, etc., and we are certain that HVO is always used”, says FREJA’s Chairman of the board Poland and Regional Director South Denmark, Torben Mortensen.
FREJA repacks more than 1000 gift boxes for Pierre Fabre just in time for Christmas
When the French company Pierre Fabre needed to get their gift boxes ready for the 2021 Christmas shopping, FREJA was ready with a helping hand.
Pierre Fabre was founded in 1951 and is a French company that makes pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic products, which they distribute to pharmacies, dermatologists, and hospitals. Since 2017, Pierre Fabre and FREJA have engaged in a close partnership. We carry out various logistics tasks such as repacking and re-labeling their products in Scandinavia, and we do ongoing optimizations of their logistics flows.
Most recently, Pierre Fabre asked for a repackaging task of 1320 gift boxes for the Christmas shopping in Norway, and naturally, we accepted this task. FREJA lined up with a team and got the job done in a short time, so the gift boxes could be distributed to the pharmacies in Norway and be ready to be placed under the Christmas trees in the Norwegian living rooms.
“It means a lot to us that a company of Pierre Fabre's caliber chooses to use FREJA as a logistics partner. We appreciate the close collaboration we have established with Pierre Fabre, and we are happy that we could help with this task”, says FREJA’s Logistics & Healthcare Director, Morten Bruun-Kristensen.
This job is one of many special tasks we perform for Pierre Fabre and other companies, and we are also ready to help your company. If you want to know more about our Pharma & Healthcare logistics services, you are always welcome to reach out to Morten Bruun-Kristensen.
Environmental- and climate-friendly transport has been a focus area in FREJA for a long time
Over many years and with great success, FREJA has used unaccompanied transports for our services between Denmark-Finland and Denmark-Norway. Since 2019, it has also been a highly used tool for the route to and from Sweden. The first destination in Sweden was the route between Jutland and Skaane, where there is much inter-state trade.
Unaccompanied transports mean that a Danish truck collects a consignment from a Danish customer and brings the trailer to the harbor. At the harbor, the driver can then connect another trailer which he drives to the Danish recipient. Likewise, this is done in Sweden, where Swedish hauliers and drivers bring trailers between the ferry and the recipient or shipper. The delivery time is short because there are departures from both sides twice a day.
The advantages of this kind of transports are many. We avoid having a large number of trucks passing Funen and Zealand, which helps reduce the massive traffic on our roads. The solution also has a green profile because many highway kilometers are replaced by consolidated transports by ferry via Kattegat. An additional advantage is that a driver can handle 4-5 loads per day. Lack of drivers is a great challenge right now because many drivers choose to leave the transport industry in favor of jobs with more normal working hours.
Over the years, FREJA has added more routes to the unaccompanied traffics, and now we also have a solution where we load trailers on trains at the destination Taulov-Katrineholm. Both terminals are located strategically well. Taulov is a logistics hub in Denmark, and the terminal in Katrineholm is located in Mälardalen, where you have easy access to Ørebro, Eskilstuna, and Stockholm. This route offers three departures per week. The railway is electrified, and as an example on the route between Kolding and Ørebro, you will be able to have a Co2 reduction of up to 80% compared to traditional road transport.
The most recent offer is a combined solution to Oslo, Norway. The trailers are sent by ship from Grenaa to Halmstad. Directly at the harbor terminal, the trailers are loaded onto trains which takes them to a terminal in Oslo, where a truck then brings the trailer to the recipient. The solution is brand new, and we have great expectations to offer this green solution with constant capacity.
FREJA offers to calculate the Co2 emission for various solutions so that you can consider the emission before making your solution. You can also try our online Co2 calculator and see the Co2 emissions from your transports with FREJA.
FREJA Transport & Logistics A/S strengthens its position in Norway with the acquisition of Thoresen Transport AS
As of October 1st, 2021, the Danish logistics operator FREJA Transport & Logistics A/S acquired 80% of the Norwegian company Thoresen Transport AS. FREJA is part of the international group United Shipping & Trading Company (USTC), and the acquisition strengthens the group’s position as one of the leading companies in the Nordic transport market.
Thoresen Transport has had a positive development for many years and is recognized for its good customer service and high quality. In the current financial year, a turnover of a minimum of 135 million NOK is expected.
“We have been looking for the right partner for a long time, and when the opportunity arose to acquire the majority stake of Thoresen Transport, it was quite an easy decision. With the acquisition, we are now ready to deliver even better service to our customers through higher quality and a broader portfolio. There is no doubt that their customer segments fit perfectly into FREJA’s Norwegian business”, says Ulrik Rasmussen, Group CEO of FREJA Transport & Logistics Holding A/S.
Thoresen Transport is a well-established transport and forwarding company in Larvik, which was founded in 1982 by the current owner and founder Lars Thoresen and his brother Knut Thoresen. The company currently has 25 well-qualified employees working with national and international transport, container transport, and customs/forwarding. Following the acquisition, Lars Thoresen will continue as head of Thoresen Transport, which will have its office, warehouse, and terminal facilities at the current central location at Larvik Harbor.
“Since we founded the company, it has been our ambition to create growth and expand our business areas. I am very proud and happy that Thoresen Transport from now on will be part of FREJA as we have collaborated for the past nine years in Vestfold, Buskerud, and Telemark. We have full confidence that the culture and the strong values that characterizes the company will continue, even with a new main shareholder”, says Lars Thoresen, the current owner of Thoresen Transport.
Focusing on growth going forward
FREJA Transport & Logistics looks forward to the new collaboration and emphasizes that the growth ambitions have not been reached with this acquisition:
“We are constantly looking for good, well-operated companies that share the same values as us and can help us meet our long-term goals. Therefore, this acquisition is a natural step towards developing FREJA and our growth strategy”, says Ulrik Rasmussen.
Lars Thoresen will continue to hold the remaining 20% of the shares in Thoresen Transport, and the company will keep the name Thoresen Transport AS.
The agreement is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. The transaction price will not be disclosed.
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Our professional staff follows specific processes for handling organic goods.[/caption]
