Trade fair logistics with a future: travelling to Messe Stuttgart by hydrogen truck

Everything went according to plan. The DB Schenker lorry arrived at the exhibition grounds at Stuttgart Airport at the agreed time. The trade fair equipment had been dismantled and was ready for loading. Just one and a half hours later, the vehicle was on its way back to Mainz. Business as usual? Not at all! Because a real première took place here inconspicuously and, above all, completely emission-free…

Absolute punctuality and reliability – trade fair logistics is not possible without them. After all, the trade fair does not wait and the complex logistics processes in the set-up and dismantling phases are timed to the minute. Exhibitors, stand construction companies and organisers must be able to rely 100% on their logistics partner.

However, another requirement is becoming increasingly important in trade fair and event logistics: sustainability. Major events are in the public eye, set trends and have a pioneering function. They also need to be at the cutting edge when it comes to the economical use of resources.

The teams and locations of DB Schenker Exhibition Logistics are familiar with these requirements. As a global logistics service provider, they organise trade fair transports in Germany, Europe and overseas. Based on precise knowledge of the most important trade fair locations, they draw up schedules and flow charts for their customers, bundle stand construction materials, exhibits and advertising materials and organise the temporary storage of materials if required. They provide support with specialised personnel, their own equipment such as forklifts, cranes, special equipment and tracking & tracing to the exhibition stand.

DB Schenker does all of this – with the same indispensable punctuality and reliability – increasingly with particularly sustainable solutions. For example, the first use of a hydrogen-powered swap body lorry at Intergastra 2024 at Messe Stuttgart.

Jörg Pries, Product Manager Trade Fair and Special Transport Germany/Switzerland at DB Schenker: “We stand for the success of our customers. And today that means, on the one hand, that we ensure a successful trade fair appearance from every logistical point of view. On the other hand, we support the exhibiting companies and trade fair organisers in achieving their sustainability goals. We do this from a technological and entrepreneurial pioneering position, which DB Schenker is consistently developing on the basis of its own sustainability strategy and agenda.”

The trade fair industry also only has a future with sustainable solutions. A renowned player in the trade fair business has been operating according to this principle for decades. mac. brand spaces is a global expert in live communication. The company has been working with DB Schenker for over 30 years.

For mac. brand spaces, sustainability is an essential part of its corporate strategy. Accordingly, the logistics managers reacted quickly and positively to the proposal to organise the premiere run of the new H2 truck in the DB Schenker trade fair logistics portfolio at the Stuttgart site with an order.

Daniel Hoffmann, Head of Transportation at mac. brand spaces: “This was a real stroke of luck for us. Sustainability is part of our DNA. We’ve had a sustainability officer in the company since 2006, and now it’s a whole team. We develop sustainable solutions at all levels of our business activities, measure our ecological footprint and are therefore fully aware of the importance of transport. We were therefore all the more pleased to receive this offer. Taking the H2 truck to the trade fair is an important step towards our vision of emission-free trade fair logistics.”

A successful premiere. The transport from Stuttgart, the loading and the journey to Langenlosheim to the headquarters of mac. brand spaces went like clockwork. The lorry was loaded again there straight away and was able to complete the next trade fair transport to Stuttgart on the way back, with a short stop for hydrogen refuelling near Frankfurt. A truly sustainable round trip.

Daniel Hoffmann: “This hydrogen tour was also a successful premiere for us. We see our decades of good experience with DB Schenker confirmed. They have always had a solution for us – regardless of the trade fair, regardless of the problem and regardless of the time! That’s what we value so much about our co-operation. And now DB Schenker is also proving to be the right partner on the road to a sustainable trade fair and event industry.”

Incidentally, the vehicle used is a Hyundai FC Xcient Fuel Cell. With a gross vehicle weight of 27,000 kg and a vehicle combination of 44,000 kg, it has a range of 400 kilometres.

Daniel Mahler, Head of DB Schenker Trade Fair Logistics Stuttgart: “With these technical features, we see a wide range of possible applications for trade fair logistics. And the successful maiden voyage of the hydrogen truck confirms that we have added an attractive product for trade fairs and events to our portfolio with H2 technology. We will therefore be using the new truck exclusively for trade fair logistics. The location is Stuttgart, but the sustainable vehicle can be booked by all our trade fair customers throughout Germany.”

Rolf Brosius, Business Development Construction & Standbuilders at DB Schenker: “One advantage is that there are already hydrogen refuelling stations near some of the trade fair locations. More are in the pipeline. At the exhibition centres themselves, we are contributing to the quality of air and work with the zero-emission vehicle. We already provide many elements for a clean and sustainable trade fair business, for example electrically powered forklifts and vehicles, as well as the use of HVO 100 as a replacement for conventional diesel on the exhibition grounds. Now we are tackling the important area of trade fair logistics overland transport. I believe our trade fair logistics portfolio is absolutely future-orientated.”

Trade fairs are always setting new standards. DB Schenker is now opening a new chapter in sustainable trade fair logistics with its own hydrogen lorry.

Quelle: pulse.dbschenker.com
© DB Schenker / Marc Wagener