Sebastian, you organized Xella's first Silka transport from Serbia to Romania via the Danube, saving a lot of CO2 compared to road transport. How did you experience this trip?

I really enjoyed it! It was very challenging, but in the end very satisfying because we saved both costs and CO2 consumption. It all started from our motto that we strongly believe in "efficient, affordable and sustainable" solutions. With a customer-focused strategy, the supply chain plays an important role and can ensure a sustainable future. I can say that the real challenge was to coordinate all the parties involved in the process, so that everything runs smoothly. In such a process, you must consider several aspects: financial, human and equipment resources. It is a whole chain that needs to be carefully developed and monitored.

I want to take on my next challenge by immediatly reinitiating this project. Using the lessons learned from the first Danube transport, we will identify opportunities for enhancement: there is always room for improvement, to increase the efficiency and quality of this process.

What do you do in your job as a logistics manager?

With the help of my team, I take care of all the business lines in Romania related to the transport of materials from external partners, as well as the final product that we transport to our customers in warehouses or on construction sites. In Romania, Xella has three plants of autoclaved aerated concrete and one lime plant, all with different specifications, and until a few months ago, we had two other precast plants with special overweight transports. When I joined Xella in 2019, these different areas have attracted me, and it is still exciting. We organize more than 15,000 transports a year.

What fascinates you about your job?

I got into logistics more than ten years ago - I've always been fascinated by the dynamics of the industry. Having trucks on the road and moving products every day keeps you active. I like making decisions on the fly. There is no time to hesitate. I worked for many years in international transport in Europe, and as a Transportation Safety Advisor, I had expertise in different types of transports such as ADR - dangerous goods, oversized or overweight goods and food tankers.

What do you like about transporting our building materials at Xella?

Construction materials are just as important as other types of products in other industries, and they require a lot of attention and care. Things are always changing and we need to adapt very quickly to achieve our goals. I’m always looking and monitoring different types of KPIs - Key Performance Indicators - from the supply chain and logistics, such as order accuracy, lead time, capacity utilization, delivery time, transportation cost etc.

What will be the future of Xella's transport in Romania from a sustainable point of view?

We are preparing for this in several projects. For more than two years, we have been replacing old trucks in Romania with new ones that are lighter and more environmentally friendly ones. This means, for example, that we deliver the same quantity in fewer trips because we can transport more weight in these new trucks, which also results in a significant reducing of our CO2 footprint. We are always looking to create synergies by linking backloads. We have a strong culture of responsible behavior, and we want to work in collaboration and partnership with all our stakeholders to build a climate-friendly construction industry.

What role does safety play in your work?

We consider safety to be a core value of our organization. We are all responsible for our lives. We work with moving equipment and safety has been a top priority for us from the beginning. It's not just about protecting the products, it's about protecting our lives. We have developed procedures and safety rules to jointly and sustainably ensure the safety of all parties involved. We also have brief discussions with all partners about these rules to understand the need for appropriate behavior and equipment. We must take care of ourselves and our families.

What do you do after work?

I'm a trail and marathon runner - amateur of course. I also run with colleagues and train them. We started last year with three or four people to participate in a city race here in Bucharest. And it went like boom - everyone enjoyed it and other colleagues saw how happy we were when we finished, and they joined us. This spring there were more than 20 of us running at the Bucharest Half Marathon, along with local management.

How did you plan your training?

I prepared a training schedule and on some days of the week, we met in the park. And then we all participated in the race and waited for the others to finish. Everyone came with their families, and we had the opportunity to meet each other and to stay together afterwards. This experience also helps us at work: we are more connected now. It doesn't matter what department you come from in the company, we have the same goal, and we achieve it together.

What do you like about running?

I started running with the following code: “I'm here to finish and to enjoy it”. And I know that without proper preparation, it would not be very enjoyable. The longest race I've done was 161km in France, which was an amazing experience running at night in the mountains.

Is there anything about running that you can apply to your work?

Everything I learn from running, I apply to my personal and professional life. I have more confidence in myself. I don’t hesitate to try new things. I don't give up so easily. All of that can be applied to work. But the most important thing is that it can bring us closer to being in the best shape of our lives. And when we are in our best shape, we can bring the best results to the company.
And being able to run 24 hours in the rain and cold has taught me that in my professional life as well: You must start before you say no. You take one step at a time, and then it works.