Bleckmann

Ruud Mars is a seasoned Transport Specialist with a proven track record in the information technology and services industry. He brings expertise in operations management, data analysis, pricing strategy, general management, and warehouse operations. Mars holds a Bachelor’s degree in Logistics Management from Vervoersacademie Venlo, underpinning his strong foundation in supply chain and logistics.

In an exclusive interview with Logistics Tech Outlook Europe, Mars shared his invaluable insights regarding developments within the sector, the prevailing challenges, and possible solutions.

Commanding the Route of Change

I began my career in logistics 35 years ago as a management trainee. I studied logistics management and started working at a company that was later acquired by DHL. Over the years, I have held various roles, starting as a trainee and then becoming a deputy warehouse manager.

I later moved to Prague, Czech Republic, where I was responsible for domestic transportation. After that, I relocated to Austria and served as Head of Supply Chain and Distribution. In 2002, I returned to the Netherlands and joined a different company as Business Unit Manager for logistics in Warsaw, Poland.

A few years later, DHL invited me back to help build a new department focused on transportation procurement. I spent around five years there as Global Sourcing Manager for transportation. Then, Ingram Micro brought me on to oversee their distribution and transport operations across Europe, which I did from 2010 to 2020. In 2020, our CEO asked me to step into the role of Director of Transportation at Bleckmann, and that’s where I am today

Driving Transformation Through Technology and Market Insight

One of the most challenging moments was during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, we were implementing a new transport management system (TMS) at Bleckmann. The pandemic made it difficult because we couldn’t meet in person, which is tough when rolling out a new IT system. In addition, e-commerce was surging dramatically during 2020 and 2021, which required us to rethink our strategies to meet demand effectively.

The TMS has been a real game changer. With its milestone and predictive monitoring capabilities, we have shifted from being reactive to proactive. That’s made a massive difference for our customers.

E-commerce, social commerce, and evolving consumer expectations all impact the transportation industry. These dynamics also influence website retention and brand perception. If you don’t understand them, you risk missing out on key strategic opportunities.

We handle 25 to 30 million shipments annually, and this system collects and analyses all the data in real time through a central control tower. Unlike many platforms that only monitor the last mile, our system tracks the entire journey, from order drop to final delivery. That comprehensive visibility is unique and extremely valuable.

Rethinking Transport Strategy

We are introducing a new concept to the market. We work closely with merchants in the fashion logistics sector, partnering with brands such as Patagonia, Coach, Gymshark, and Superdry. Typically, we speak to their sourcing teams, but sourcing doesn’t always reflect what the market, specifically the end consumer, wants.

We are paying close attention to trends in e-commerce and understanding what customers want in different countries. For instance, preferences differ between Dutch and German consumers. We are also tracking shifts, such as the transition from omnichannel to unified commerce and the rise of social commerce platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These need to be embedded into our transport strategy so we can lead the market rather than follow it.

My advice for upcoming leaders in the sector would be to truly understand the market. It’s often more complex than people realise. Many still think of transport as simply moving goods from A to B, but there are deeper dynamics at play. E-commerce, social commerce, and evolving consumer expectations all impact the transportation industry. These dynamics also influence website retention and brand perception. If you don’t understand them, you risk missing out on key strategic opportunities.