Michael Müller, as a 25-year-old business student, founded Müller – Die lila Logistik in a cellar. At the beginning, there was only a secretary and bookkeeper, a warehouse clerk, a driver, and the idea that as a logistics service provider, it wasn't enough to store and transport goods but to search for better logistics solutions for the customer.
It was the base for the success of the company. Above all, globally active industrial companies began to appreciate the full service of such a young logistics provider, who ran operations and advised in tandem. The satisfaction of our customers was already reflected three years after the start of Müller – Die lila Logistik with international customer awards.
Making things better means for us to look for innovative and sustainable logistics solutions every day. One example is the transport concept, Eco Tour, for which we received the European Transport Prize in 1997. We combine intra-European goods transports of different corporate customers and transport modes so that empty runs are avoided.
brought further growth that wanted to be funded. In 2000, the company changed the legal form from an AG to a GmbH. In 2001, the IPO followed. On May 30, the stock of Müller - Die lila Logistik was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange for the first time. Now the way was open for strategic corporate investments - an example is our subsidiary in Herne.
As a company grows over the years, it leaves a trace. In order to remain true to our own claim, despite the size, we reorganized ourselves in 2003. Accordingly, we were strengthened internationally in 2004 and established our first foreign branches in Austria and Poland. Another important milestone: 1,000 employees.
Internationalization continued. However, we did not expand into distant countries but focused primarily on the CEE countries. We think it was a good decision for us. The Lila Logistik is not growing for the sake of growth. We grow for our customers. Where you need our logistics service is the best location for us. An example...
...is our logistics center in Gliwice, Poland. We opened the location in 2007. It has its own rail connection, allowing us access to road and rail routes. This meant that the corporate customers producing in the vicinity were provided with a transport mix that pays off financially while minding the environment.
In the following years, the number of locations where we provide the best possible material and information flows continued to increase. In parallel, we expanded our consulting area and took a decisive step in 2009: We were previously involved in various consulting companies, so we bundled our consulting services under the brand Lila Consult.
With our logistics services we are close to the customer. This requires a long-term and reliable partnership. For example, what connects us with Opel (until 2017 at General Motors). In 2010, we became GM Supplier of the Year for exceptional performance in warehouse logistics and global transportation control. An award that we have received six more times thereafter.
And another prize. In 2011, we received the German Sustainability Award for Germany's Most Sustainable Strategy for the Future (SME). The reason: We were focused on a resource conserving business model. With the business units, Lila Consult and Lila Operating, where customers are advised on more efficient logistics solutions and a broad employee strategy, the company stands out from the industry standard.
Our customers are convinced that our successes were not achieved for us, but the possibilities and requirements of the future are decisive. In 2013 and 2014 alone, we opened five new locations. In addition, together with Mercedes AMG, we won the "Oscar" of the logistics industry: the German Logistics Prize 2014. For logistics solutions that are efficient, transparent, environmentally conscious and, in short, fit for the future.
25 years for Müller - Die lila Logistik is a success story. One thing above all made it happen: excellent team performance. In the summer of 2016, we celebrated together with all of our employees, friends, and business partners at the Besigheim headquarters. In addition, CEO, Michael Müller, visited all our locations by road bike as part of the Lila Tour 25. He personally introduced the employees to the Lila+ strategy...
The company keeps moving. What gives us inner support are our value-based partnerships based on trust. This applies on the company itself as well as beyond. The complex tasks of the future can only be solved together. Moreover, to two new logistic terminals and our CEI (customer, employee and innovation center) have been opened. Especially the CEI will be a place in which we openly meet and exchange ideas.
Müller - Die lila Logistik SE
Ferdinand-Porsche-Str. 6
74354 Besigheim
Germany