Bulk Distributor Jul/Aug 2020 | Page 13

July/August 2020 Tank Containers BULKDISTRIBUTOR 13 Hoyer’s Deep Sea business unit achieved 3.6 percent turnover growth and earned 24.5 percent of the group’s overall turnover Safe entry guidelines Hoyer reports higher turnover Hoyer closed the 2019 fiscal year positively. for Mexico, before being appointed as a member of the firm’s The Hamburg-based group increased turnover to €1.177 executive board in 2001. billion, up from €1.167 billion the previous year. The equity ratio In this function, he was responsible for managing the international remained at the previous year’s level of 44 percent, while equity subsidiaries until 2011. He took over as chairman in 2012, a position capital was strengthened by €25 million to €380 million. Earnings he held until March 2020. before taxes was €38.052 million. The global market’s economic development moved into a cooling www.hoyer-group.com phase during 2019, the group said. The chemical industry in particular showed production volume downturns. Contributions to turnover came from larger volumes with service station supply contracts in Great Britain, new business and transport growth in the gas area, higher turnovers from tank container leasing, and currency effects in overseas business with a strong US dollar. Due to the economic slowdown in 2019, Hoyer reduced to €106 million the investments of €173 million planned for the year. Nonetheless, total investment was above that of the previous two fiscal years. The funds were used to rejuvenate and modernise the tank container fleet, to equip with the latest generation of telematics systems, and for transport equipment replacement and expansion needs such as road tankers and IBCs. The investment budget originally planned for 2020 was €146 million. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planning was revised and expenditure focused on essential strategic projects. Group chairman Thomas Hoyer explained: “Hoyer will remain one step ahead, even in times of crisis. The executive board manages prudently and sustainably. That enables targeted investments even in economically difficult times.” This includes investments in a dangerous goods terminal, buildings and technical installations, further expansion of the Smart Logistics concept, information technology, international business acquisitions and joint ventures. The Hoyer Bulk LLC joint venture with the USA-logistics specialist Dupré was begun in 2019 to strengthen the overseas business. According to CEO Ortwin Nast: “Thanks to our global presence and strong network, we can meet our customers’ regional and international logistics needs along the supply chain in an optimum way.” Total turnover was generated by a total of five business units. The Chemilog business unit contributed 34.1 percent of total turnover in the past fiscal year. This business area achieved 0.6 percent higher turnover compared to the previous year, and exerted a positive effect on the result through increased capacity utilisation and greater efficiency. The Deep Sea business unit, responsible for overseas business, achieved 3.6 percent turnover growth due to currency exchange rate effects, and earned a total of 24.5 percent of the group’s overall turnover. The Petrolog business unit, which combines mineral oil supply activities to service stations and airports, aircraft refuelling and bitumen transport, contributed 22.8 percent of total turnover. Earnings before taxes in this business area improved significantly, despite declining turnover. Gaslog recorded turnover growth by almost 6 percent, and generated 10.7 percent of total turnover. Development in the transport logistics business with industrial, chemical and special gases was pleasing, especially in Germany. The Netlog business unit, responsible for global container management, technical services such as cleaning and maintenance, and depot services, contributed a 7.9 percent share of total turnover. This business area again increased turnover by 6 percent. • Hans-Christian Sievers, formerly chairman of Helm AG, is joining the Advisory Board of Hoyer. ForT Vale. Sievers brings expertise Follow The leader. from the chemicals sector. He Visit us at www.fortvale.com started his career at Helm and rose from product manager to Hans-Christian Sievers managing director responsible ITCO’s latest Technical Guidelines document is Safe Entry into a Tank Container. The document provides guidance for ITCO member companies engaging in activities that require personnel to enter the interior of a tank for purposes such as inspection and maintenance. Tank entry presents inherent risks which need to be managed by implementing a safe entry process. Where possible, process changes should be introduced to permit tasks to be carried out without entering the tank - for example, by viewing the interior from the man-way or by the use of CCTV. However, when personnel are required to enter a tank, appropriate safety procedures should be in place to minimise the risk. These are provided in the new Guidelines. These guidelines (TG05) complement a number of others published by ITCO, such as the recent TG04 Guidance for working on top of a Tank Container. www.itco.org ToTal conTrol. aT all Times. The Fort Vale 2”BSP to 2.5”BSP Blower Relief Valve. Used primarily in Bulk Powder, Waste and Vacuum tankers, is a safety valve that functions within the system. The current design is robust and effective, and has been running on tanks for more than a year (with no signs of self-destruction) - meaning fewer replacements - making the product more cost effective. With a quick ‘pop’ design to relieve pressure instantly, other improvements mean less vibration and less wear. Seals are easy to change, and use standard O rings. Successful and profitable tank operation relies upon the technical integrity of each and every component. We ensure precision throughout so that you can rely on the performance of our valves and your tanks. ®