Dachser Asia Pacific’s consolidated gross revenue in 2016 fell 7.36% year-on-year to €341 million (US$376 million), according to results posted by the company.

Dachser attributed the performance to volatile markets and freight rates.

“In 2016, we focused on optimizing IT, enhancing processes and broadening our range of services to get ready for future digitalized supply chain demands,” said Edoardo Podestá, managing director of air and sea logistics at Dachser Asia Pacific.

The company has been implementing its Othello transport management system across the Asia-Pacific region and has been extending services for existing customers.

Overall, consolidated revenue for the Dachser group rose by 1.7% to €5.71 billion (US$6.3 billion) in 2016. The number of shipments increased by 2.4% to 80 million and tonnage also increased by 2.4% to 38.2 tonnes, mainly driven by the growth of European overland transport and food logistics.

Podestá said that the company has been performing well so far this year.

“The launch of our North China air freight gateway and our new LCL railway service are two examples how we respond to the constantly changing markets and demands in Asia Pacific,” he said. “Even if we are not publishing figures throughout the year, I can tell that the positive development of business in the first quarter of 2017 demonstrates that our efforts paid off.”

Looking ahead, Dachser is increasing its investments planned for 2017, focusing on network, IT systems and research and development.

“We are intensively studying all aspects of the logistics solutions of the future, and the extent to which they can be digitalized,” said Bernhard Simon, CEO of Dachser. “Dachser has launched group-wide innovation processes at numerous levels in order to maintain its pioneering role in the industry.”