Militzer & Münch Turkey: a well-coordinated team

Earthquake, pandemic, inflation – in the year 2023, the people in Turkey have to cope with severe catastrophes and challenges that seem almost insurmountable. But economic uncertainties and global turbulences are by no means new to the employees of Militzer & Münch’s Turkish subsidiary – and they know how to deal with them.

In February of this year, parts of Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating earthquake. More than 56,000 people died, many more were injured, lost family members, lost their belongings – the disaster traumatized the people of Turkey.


Help for the victims

In response to the destruction and distress, the Turkish International Freight Forwarders Association, UTIKAD, sent relief goods to the earthquake region – and the Militzer & Münch team assisted. “In this humanitarian effort, we coordinated the transport of urgently needed relief goods carried in twelve trucks plus a complete train of 32 wagons”, says Cem Ulusoy, Managing Director Militzer & Münch Turkey. “In addition, together with the Militzer & Münch branch office in Basel, we donated 5,000 euros to “AHBAP”, a Turkish relief organization.”

The Turkish economy has been severely affected by the natural disaster, too. About 35 percent of the country’s industry are located in the areas affected by the earthquake. Add to this the consequences of the pandemic and global inflation… Militzer & Münch Turkey is suffering from these conditions, too. But the team has learned to operate in an environment characterized by uncertainties, and to carry out business successfully.


Steady development

The Turkish Militzer & Münch subsidiary was founded in 1996. “At that time, we had only seven employees and a single branch in Izmir, run by one person,” says Cem Ulusoy. After the new management of Militzer & Münch Turkey started working in January 2012, the Turkish country unit began to grow. “Today, we employ almost 60 people and, in addition to the Istanbul headquarters, we operate three branches, in Izmir, Mersin, and Bursa, as well as a warehouse in Hadımköy and an office at Istanbul Airport.”

Militzer & Münch Turkey specializes in the transport of industrial goods and is among the market leaders in project transports. Despite the uncertainties and challenges, the team has successfully defended its position in the industry. Road transportation is most in demand among customers, followed by air and sea freight, segments that are also of great importance. The company’s main customers come from the textile, machinery, chemicals, and construction materials industries.

“We have given proof that we are capable of operating successfully not only in times of uncertainty, but also of fulfilling our social responsibility in times of crisis,” says Cem Ulusoy. “An important next step for us will be to invest in a warehouse to provide even better services to our customers and meet the ever-growing demands.”

Transports to fight hunger

 

Militzer & Münch supports the World Food Programme in the fight against famine and delivers food from Tajikistan to regions with vulnerable populations in Afghanistan.

Millions of people in Afghanistan are threatened by hunger. Rising food prices, job cuts and the devaluation of the national currency have led to an increase in the number of vulnerable people in recent years. The World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing nutritional aid to people locally for years, delivering nutrient-enriched and balanced foods to the country. Since 2021, Militzer & Münch has been supporting the humanitarian organization in this endeavor: with food transports from Tajikistan to Afghanistan.

Under the programme, considerable quantities of wheat flour, vegetable oil, and yellow peas are sent on their way every two to three months. In order to cope with the required volume, and to ensure timely and efficient delivery of the goods, Militzer & Münch supplements its own truck fleet to some extent by contracting third-party providers. Thanks to the close cooperation with the sub-contractors, the high quality standards and the specific criteria and guidelines of the WFP can be met at all times.

Effective coordination

Militzer & Münch is also in constant contact with the WFP itself to ensure the smooth coordination of the shipments or to solve problems that might arise, for instance, at the border crossing. Militzer & Münch provided first services to the WFP already in 2018. “In the course of our long-term cooperation, we have built strong and solid relationships with the World Food Programme,” says Aziz Sharipov, Managing Director in Tajikistan. “Our team works closely with WFP representatives and ensures that all necessary protocols are followed. Thus, we are able to meet the organization’s high standards.”