Gruber Logistics Opens Its First Branch in the Middle East
Gruber Logistics has opened its own branch in the Middle East as of late summer this year. The new branch was inaugurated in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The first location in this region is managed by Carsten Sommer, Executive Director of the Project Cargo, Air & Ocean Business Unit at Gruber Logistics, and Samar Helmy, Director of the Project Cargo, Air & Ocean Business Unit. From the Emirate of Dubai, the logistics service provider will organise its activities for this strong economy and neighbouring countries, as well as the import and export of goods for its customers.
The opening also represents a major step in developing structured truck transport in the Middle East, thanks to strategic connections to Europe and Asia.
From the new office, which will act as a central hub in the Middle East, the renowned logistics player aims to strengthen existing business relationships with customers and partners, as well as develop new markets and contacts. “With our local presence in Dubai, we are embedding our innovative logistics services even more firmly in this region. In this highly dynamic economic area, there is a strong focus on digitalisation and sustainability, and we are able to meet these customer requirements as we have played a pioneering role in these areas for years,” states Samar Helmy, who manages the branch alongside Carsten Sommer.
Initially, the expansion of Gruber Logistics’ operations in the Middle East will focus on project cargo and air and ocean freight. However, the network will be gradually expanded to also include integrated truck transport solutions in the Middle East, with the goal of ensuring flexibility and extensive coverage across overland connections.
In the future, further products from the wide service portfolio will be added to this local offering.
For the office, which has been open for just over a month, the two directors aim to hire additional staff by the end of the year to support anticipated business growth. As part of Gruber Logistics’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, priority for these positions will be given to candidates from the region, who will then be trained and further qualified within the company.
In the logistics industry, which is still characterised by a strong male presence, particularly in management positions, Samar Helmy is the first woman of Arab descent to hold an executive role in a major European logistics company. “Not only her Egyptian roots, but above all her nearly 20 years of experience in the logistics and freight forwarding sector, as well as in business development and her Harvard education in organisational leadership, make her the ideal candidate for the new operations at the Middle East branch,” emphasises Carsten Sommer.
With this new opening, Gruber Logistics consolidates its role in truck transport in the Middle East, offering a benchmark for tailored overland services.
As part of strengthening the existing network, a key role is played by the historic Verona branch, a crucial hub for many European routes. Find out more about the Gruber Logistics branch in Verona.