More than just transportation – machines are Holger Schäfer’s profession

– Holger Schäfer, Fritz Fels specialist freight forwarder, on working with his colleague Attila Ottmann-Lambert

It is just before 5.30 a.m. and the thermometer is already showing over 20 degrees – a sweltering hot summer day is beginning. But Holger Schäfer has no time to reflect on this. Standing up, he knocks back his coffee, exchanges a few words with his colleague Attila Ottmann-Lambert and they both climb into the cockpits of their Actros 1848s. Then off they go in a convoy of two – the customer is already waiting!

Holger and Attila drive their Mercedes trucks, both with  MirrorCam, for Fritz Fels, a specialist freight forwarder based in Heidelberg. Today, the customer is a labelling specialist based in Erbach in the Odenwald region. Of course, it’s only a distance of just under 100 kilometres – a quick and safe drive. And this is routine both for Holger, who has been a truck driver for over three decades, and his similarly experienced colleague. But what happens after they arrive is at least as important as the journey itself: bringing in the freight. This time, he is delivering a brand-new labelling machine to the customer’s production hall.

One machine after another.

“We transport machines all the time. Just like today for the printing industry, but also milling or injection moulding machines”, explains Holger. Usually, they have to be removed from one location or brought to a new location. Sometimes both – and often with associated assembly work to be done.

Removal work is not required today. The freight, weighing around 13 tonnes, was delivered to the freight forwarder’s premises a few days ago. The day before delivery, they lifted it onto the Actros trailers using forklift trucks. It was then painstakingly secured, a time-consuming task as the machine was dismantled into 21 non-interlocking parts.

Any freight of this kind is always treated like fine china anyway. “It takes a long time until you know how to handle the different machines”, says Holger. And why can he – a truck driver – also do assembly work? “I completed a fitter’s apprenticeship, the rest is experience.” In winter, the machines in the trailer are even heated to prevent a rust film from forming after they are unloaded.

A simple task – this time.

After a good hour and a half on motorways and country roads, the convoy of two arrives at its destination, a maze-like industrial park. Attila and Holger demonstrate the Actros’ manoeuvrability. “Sometimes things get really complicated at this point”, Holger explains. For instance, if conditions require that the freight be brought in through a window or over the roof using a crane and often other equipment.

A colleague inspected the site in advance, so the two Fels specialists know that they will be spared such a difficult task. They won't need to get out the big equipment. They can unload the freight using a forklift truck that has travelled on one of the Actros trailers. They still need to coordinate closely with the manufacturer’s representatives who have travelled here and with two men employed by the customer. Finally, they determine precisely where the labelling machine is to be placed in the hall.

Two who can rely on each other.

Attila moves bit by bit until he is in front of the factory door. Holger is standing ready and removes the transport packaging with a practised hand before the forklift truck rolls into the building and to the final location. “Teamwork is the be-all and end-all. We can rely on each other absolutely“, says the native of Saxony. They assemble the labelling machine piece by piece and it is finally adjusted by the manufacturer’s representatives.

After a good four hours, it forms a production line several metres long on which a wide variety of labels can be printed. It will be some time before it is put into operation.

Holger and Attila high five with a smile: Job done! Time to get back in the Actros and return to Heidelberg!

Photos: Henrik Morlock
Video: Martin Schneider-Lau