Curious, Close-Call and Completely Crazy: Three Logistics Stories from Daniel Lövenich

Gummy Bears to Monaco

One day, almost the weekend. Our customer, a marketing agency, called unusually short notice: A courier delivery had to be organized that same day.

Initially unclear: Which vehicle is needed? Truck, van, or perhaps a car? And where to? The customer didn't know yet – the order would come "into the system shortly."

Shortly after, it arrived: 2 boxes of gummy bears, 1 box of balloons with branding from a tire manufacturer. Destination: Monaco

We were quite astonished. This was anything but a standard delivery.

Quickly requested the price from the courier service. The driver remained calm: "It's Monaco, I know the route."

The customer agreed – Go!

A few minutes later, the driver called back: "Are you actually aware that the Formula 1 race is taking place in Monaco this weekend? How am I supposed to get in there?"

But it worked out, the delivery was on time on site, right in the paddock.

Smuggler Vibes in Cologne

A customer from the tobacco industry commissioned us with a shipping campaign: cartons of cigarettes and promotional materials were to be sent via express to the field sales team. The time pressure was high, the volume: two full trucks.

We packed all day and handed everything over on schedule. When counting the remaining stock – the two of us with the department manager – the shock: massive amounts of goods were missing.

It quickly became clear: A colleague had shipped entire boxes instead of individual cartons.

We called the express service. The goods were still at the distribution center in Cologne, so we left immediately. On site, we opened packages, checked, repacked. At first everything was correct. Then finally: the first errors. Time was running out, onward transport to the delivery regions was imminent.

Shortly before midnight: everything found, everything repacked. The employees at the Cologne distribution center had long considered us crazy, but we celebrated every error found with a high five and simply went full throttle.

After midnight. With private cars, loaded to the roof with cartons of cigarettes, we drove to the nearest kebab shop. On the way through Cologne we felt like smugglers, and while eating we didn't take our eyes off the cars for a second.

One of the most intense days I've ever experienced. And the colleague from back then is one of my best friends today.

The Warehouse That Wasn't Ours

We operated a logistics warehouse with 10,000 m² of space – part of a modularly planned property with four units. Our section stood alone for years until the landlord decided to build the remaining 3 units.

Of course, they asked us first whether we wanted to expand. Our answer: No.

While construction was underway, our sales colleagues began acting very confidently toward prospects: "Yes, of course, that all belongs to us. It's reserved." The presentations were strong, the customers enthusiastic.

Again and again the landlord asked. Again and again we declined.

The warehouses were completed. We had never rented them, but continued to present them as if they were ours. And suddenly: two major customers won.

Now it got serious. We wanted to rent, preferably two units right away. But the deals weren't signed yet. We asked the landlord for patience. Then it was too late.

The feedback: Only one unit was still available and basically it was already committed.

We had the customers, but no warehouse.

After weeks of anxiety, approval finally came: one unit, no more, but at least that.

This began the next problem: Without a rental contract, we hadn't been able to order racking, but the new customers had to get out of the old warehouse.

So we worked for months according to the principle: "Racking is for beginners." The goods were distributed across 6,000 m², main thing was it was inside.

When the racking installer entered the warehouse after a few months, he was briefly speechless: "Are you serious?" 😂

We began creating space piece by piece, had the first racking installed, stored goods, thus created space again and continued.

A real adventure. And to this day, only a few know what really happened there.

Three stories that show:

In logistics, it's not just planning that counts, but above all attitude. And sometimes gummy bears, kebabs, and a certain amount of nerve. Thanks to Daniel for this honest insight.

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