Interview: Thomas Schlitler
SonntagsBlick: Mr. Calligree, Many sales cabinets in Great Britain are currently empty because the British transport industry is short of about 100,000 drivers. In Germany, experts warn that a similar supply collapse could threaten in two or three years. How are you with us?
Rolf Calicur: The situation in Switzerland is much better than in other parts of Europe. It is true that many drivers will retire in this country in the years to come, and finding good offspring for many years will be a challenge. But this applies to almost all craft industries. We did our homework. Switzerland certainly does not have to fear supply restrictions.
What has Switzerland done better?
Swiss transport companies initially recognized the need to invest in employee training. This is how they were able to keep the driving job sexy. Calicur began training drivers in 1984. Anyone who signs a three-year contract with us gets paid for full driving training in return. Cost: 10,000 to 15,000 francs. This commitment is necessary, among other things, because the Swiss military has trained fewer and fewer drivers over the years. Now we benefit from it.
About the person: Rolf Colliger
Rolf Calicur (56) is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caliguar Transport AG based at Altischofen LU. He runs a third-generation family business with his brother Peter (58) and his sister Esther (53). Caligula was founded in 1918 with horse and cart. Today the group employs over 3000 people and has locations in Belgium, Italy, Sweden and Slovakia.
Rolf Calicur (56) is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caliguar Transport AG based at Altischofen LU. He runs a third-generation family business with his brother Peter (58) and his sister Esther (53). Caligula was founded in 1918 with horse and cart. Today the group employs over 3000 people and has locations in Belgium, Italy, Sweden and Slovakia.
In Switzerland, a driver usually earns 5,000 to 6,000 francs a month. This is very high in an international comparison. What role does this feature play?
Higher pay levels are certainly a help when hiring employees, but not a decisive factor. Truck drivers traveling only within Germany are also well paid. The problems in Germany and other Western European countries have a different cause: for years, transport companies there have been hiring cheap drivers from Eastern Europe. For a long time this reservoir seemed perennial. Now it has turned out that this is not a standard strategy.
Why not?
Quality of life has increased in many Eastern European countries. As a result, fewer and fewer drivers across Europe are willing to stay away from home for truck driving weeks. Nowadays young poles prefer to be computer scientists rather than truck drivers. Western European transport companies are now realizing this. Now they have completely neglected training in their home country. The driving industry has lost its reputation in many countries, not least among young people. The crisis in Great Britain, triggered by Brexit, accelerated the problem and made it known.
Don’t Swiss transport companies like Caligula also rely on Eastern European drivers?
Of course, some drivers from Eastern Europe are also employed in this country. However, we recruit the majority in Switzerland. It should also be noted that all drivers working and working in Switzerland must meet the same minimum wage requirements as Swiss drivers. No matter what nationality you belong to.
Caligula is also active abroad. How can you set a competitive price when you have to pay Swiss wages to your drivers?
Anyone who works in Switzerland for Swiss pay is generally only employed in Switzerland. There are no Swiss drivers driving across Europe. Our drivers can usually spend the night at home every day and be active in a club. If a foreign company wants to operate within Switzerland, it must re-adhere to the minimum wage applicable here. This is ensured by wage protection.
What about international business?
Long distance in cross-border competition has the greatest cost and wage pressure. We also feel the shortage of staff in Calicut. Our branches in Belgium and Slovakia have to work harder than ever to find good ones. Ten years ago, interested people came to us on their own initiative, and today we need to place ads. However, we are well established as we provide good training and attractive working conditions for our people in these countries.
In your opinion, what is needed to end the European crisis?
Each country must again train enough drivers to ensure national logistics. However, this does not happen overnight, it takes many years.
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