Frank Müller

2009 was a year of drastic changes in economy and business that required a quick reaction. Rates dropped sharply, volumes changed and business risks increased rapidly under world economic and financial crisis conditions. All companies were forced to operate while cutting their costs to a minimum. This became a real test for companies in terms of their ability to react to all surprises prepared by the market quickly and efficiently.

The crisis came to Belarus and other CIS countries in its lighter form, yet it hit the weak spots harder. East European countries were less prepared for serious market changes. Governments had to focus particularly on national currency stabilization in Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine and on investment program adjustments with such changes in the background.

The crisis offered AsstrA Group an opportunity to demonstrate its ability to handle difficult situations.  “We were really happy that we managed to motivate our employees even under such difficult conditions,” says Frank Müller, Head of the Council of Shareholders of international group of transport and logistics companies AsstrA. “We were effective at adapting to the new reality and were working with no losses. Moreover, we kept increasing the number of our customers and were successful at using the chances to stabilize the situation opening new directions in business". 

Yet, the situation in the cargo transportation sphere will be as difficult in 2010 as it was in 2009, according to Frank Müller. Real economic situation improvement will be slow, as the crisis set the market back into the state of 2006. The company expects more rapid growth in Belarus, as the impact of the crisis was less dramatic. However, the conditions will remain unfavorable for small logistics companies: access to capital will stay difficult in 2010.

“I suppose it is only in 2012 that the economy will reach the level of 2008 again. Yet, AsstrA will be one step ahead at that time. 2009 has shown us that we can handle difficult situations. Our team became even more closely tied to be a successful company in the future”, Mr. Müller expresses his confidence.

It is common to sum up and to make plans for the future ahead of Christmas and New Year and it is definitely a time to wish something to those who have been dear to us in the departing year and who will be by our side in the coming one: "My employees have taught me to wish only love!" says Frank Müller. “Love for our families.  Love for work. Love for communication with and openness towards our partners – colleagues, customers and suppliers. It is only positive thinking that can make us move this world in the right direction!"

About AsstrA Group:

AsstrA Group operates in the sphere of transport and logistics. For more than 15 years AsstrA provides individual and complex services of cargo delivery, storage, customs clearance and insurance as well as supply chain management.

AsstrA is an international group of transport and logistics companies headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It is represented by 20 offices in 10 countries of Europe and Asia; about 800 employees provide services to more than 4,000 customers; the group’s turnover in 2008 amounted to 160 million Euro. The liability of the company as a freight forwarder is insured by the insurance broker, Aktiv Assekuranz (Germany), with a 1,000,000 EUR limit per every insured accident. AsstrA shares the responsibility for the transportation harmful effect on the environment and puts every effort to minimize it from its side.

For further information please contact Head of the Advertising and PR Department of AsstrA group of companies by e-mailing pr@asstra.by.