An Interview with Michael Cosmelli, General Manager of WAGBA Silver Member – Röhlig Logistics WA
For June’s edition, InTouch returns with a company profile of Röhlig Logistics and features the profile of Michael, General Manager of the Röhlig WA.
Michael's Profile:
In April 2017, Michael Cosmelli joined a small team of six staff in a modest office located in the heart of Fremantle. With the unwavering dedication and support of both his team and clients, Cosmelli spearheaded the development of products focused exclusively on the Western Australia region. which led to significant growth of the business, positioning the business as a prominent leader in the Perth market. Key areas of emphasis included airfreight, FAKs, and crucial trade lanes such as Germany.
Over the past eight years, Michael has achieved remarkable milestones. He successfully doubled the size of the business and expanded the team to 12 staff members, which necessitated a move from the initial Fremantle office to a larger facility at Perth Airport. The new location boasts a fully bonded 2,500 square meter warehouse, which has enabled the business to offer an expanded range of services, including 3PL, container unpacks, DAFF, and storage solutions, to its clients. The most recent enhancement to the business's offerings is the introduction of its own truck fleet.
Through Michael’s leadership, the business has not only expanded its physical presence but also its service capabilities, ensuring continued growth and success in the competitive Perth market.
In 2023 Röhlig celebrated its 50th anniversary in Australia, which is a remarkable milestone. Can you share with our readers what Röhlig is about, the company itself, where you operate and what makes Röhlig stand out within the freight and logistics industry?
"Röhlig Logistics is a global logistics company founded in Bremen, Germany, in 1852. We have built a strong reputation over the years, combining a rich heritage with innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. In 1973, we expanded our operations to Australia, making it our second international subsidiary after South Africa.
For the past 50 years, Röhlig Australia has been dedicated to delivering exceptional logistics services. We started with a focus on sea freight but quickly expanded to include air freight, contract logistics, project logistics and domestic transport, always ensuring we meet our customers' diverse needs. Our comprehensive service portfolio and customer-centric approach are key factors that set us apart in the freight and logistics industry.
Currently, Röhlig Australia operates from six strategically located offices across the country: Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Each location plays a vital role in our ability to provide nationwide coverage and exceptional service.
Our Perth office, established in 1980, exemplifies our growth and commitment to excellence. Initially starting as a small office in Fremantle, it has evolved into a significant facility with a 2,500 square meter contract logistics warehouse. This facility allows us to offer scalable storage solutions and enhances our integrated logistics services, ensuring we meet the demands of our customers across Australia.
What truly distinguishes Röhlig in the freight and logistics industry is our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and customer satisfaction. We continually invest in our network and technology to deliver efficient and reliable solutions. Additionally, we invest in great talent and continuously develop our people, ensuring they are dedicated to upholding our commitments and making Röhlig a trusted partner for businesses worldwide."
In 2023 Röhlig achieved a strong result in the 2023 financial year, with Australia making a significant contribution to this result. How or where do you expect the company direction to develop in the future, particularly in WA or Australia in general?
"Röhlig Australia has been a key contributor to the global success of Röhlig Logistics, and our future development strategy reflects our commitment to growth and innovation. In Western Australia (WA), we are particularly focused on expanding our capabilities and strengthening our market presence to better serve our customers.
In WA, we are proud to be a market leader in air freight from Germany, and we plan to build on this success by enhancing our service offerings and expanding our infrastructure. Our investment in developing a robust network ensures we can deliver the highest standards of service to our customers. We recognise the strategic importance of WA, especially in serving the region's vital industries such as Oil & Gas, mining, and resources.
With the expansion of our operational region to include both Southeast Asia and Oceania, WA plays a critical role in our global growth strategy, #ConnectedForGrowth2030. This initiative underscores our commitment to connecting markets, improving supply chain efficiencies and fostering sustainable growth across a larger geographical area."
Could you fill me in on what the company is hoping to gain from this membership?
"At Röhlig, we value our partnership with WAGBA as a platform for fostering business opportunities and strengthening relationships within the German-Australian business community. Looking ahead, we are eager to explore collaborative business ventures with WAGBA members, leveraging our logistics expertise to support their supply chain needs effectively."
Are there any plans for Röhlig and WAGBA that you are looking forward to collaborate on together?
"Currently we are enthusiastic about participating in WAGBA’s events and networking opportunities. These engagements provide us with valuable insights and connections that enhance our service offerings and expand our market reach. We look forward to actively contributing to WAGBA’s initiatives and building lasting partnerships that benefit both our organizations and the wider business community."
Thank you to Michael Cosmelli and Maria Astakhova (Marketing Manager for Röhlig Logistics WA), for taking the time to complete this interview for WAGBA.
