Ahola strengthens its position in the CEE markets

Ahola has consistently invested in the Central and Eastern European markets, and in 2024 this work paid off significantly. Growth has been especially strong in Poland and Romania, where the demand for logistics services is constantly increasing.

 

Ahola has two offices to support growth in the region: one in Estonia and another in Poland. The Estonian office houses the Cargo Center premises, and the unit employs 36 people. The size of the Poland office is only about a third of the Estonian operations, and it employs 11 people. Our skilled and motivated personnel are a key asset that enables high-quality operations and continuous growth.

 

Transport planning for the CEE countries operates in Poland, and transport planning for the Baltic countries in Tallinn. Additionally, both offices have a resource department that is in charge of the contract carriers, as well as a management department. The consistent quality of our operations is vital to us, which is why we have a quality unit in Estonia that is responsible for checking the permits and licenses of the fleet and the drivers in CEE countries twice a year.

 

We want to make sure that collaborating with us is as smooth as possible and that the drivers can concentrate on their main task, i.e. transports.

 

Poland and Romania driving growth

 

The geopolitical situation has prompted several companies to move their production to Europe, which has boosted the logistics industry in the region. Growth has been especially rapid in Poland and Romania. Historically, Romania is a new Western country, but its economy is developing rapidly. Joining the Schengen area has also in a geographical sense opened up new opportunities for the traffic network, and the new electronic transport system has made the import and export processes run smoother.

 

Poland, on the other hand, has become a textbook example of economic growth. The unemployment rate is below 2%, and the region attracts major companies from around the world. These factors create enormous potential for the development of logistics services.

 

Sustainability evident also in Eastern Europe

 

Sustainability is an important part of Ahola’s operations also in the Baltic and East European countries, where the importance of sustainable development and responsible business practices has increased. Ahola has been committed to promoting sustainable development in its sustainability work for several decades now, in accordance with its motto, Way Ahead.

 

In particular, energy-efficient solutions, optimized transport chains and utilization of renewable energy sources are highlighted in our operations in this region.

 

Future prospects

 

Ahola Transport’s strong growth in the CEE countries is the result of consistent development work and an established market position. In future, we will focus on reinforcing our position as the most reliable logistics partner in the region and on developing our co-operation with local and international operators. At the same time, we will continue our systematic sustainability work by investing in low-emission transport solutions and digital innovations that support sustainable growth.

 

Our customers appreciate our commitment to the green transition and trust our ability to provide innovative and sustainable transport solutions. Our modern fleet and digital tools support both local and international environmental targets, which makes them an integral part of Ahola’s strategy to build a sustainable future.

 

Thomas Ahola:

“In 2018, I moved with my family to Estonia to develop Ahola’s operations in the Baltic countries. I have been the Business Unit Manager for the Baltic and CEE countries for seven years now. During this time, we have focused on branding, which has considerably raised our profile and strengthened our position in the region. The CEE market currently accounts for approximately a third of Ahola’s turnover, and demand in the region is consistently increasing.”