Technological innovations advance the green transition of logistics

Like its predecessor, 2024 was a year characterized by global tensions and economic challenges. Nevertheless, we continued to develop our strategy and kept sustainability at the core of our operations. Our market area in the CEE counties and Estonia grew, and we made great technological advancements. Our first fully electric truck and trailer combination started cross-border transports, piloting AI-based applications continued, and satisfaction among our employees remained stable. We will strive to adapt to future changes proactively and with determination also in the future.

 

Looking back on 2024, the overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude. Due to the current geopolitical situation and inflation, the year began in an atmosphere of uncertainty, but the reality proved to be better than expected.

 

In terms of the operating environment, the year 2024 was two-fold. Our operations in Estonia and the CEE countries grew but, for example, economic fluctuations in Germany affected the Nordic markets. In spite of this, our business developed steadily. We also achieved some major successes within special transports. At the end of the year, Ahola Special carried out two large transport projects – a 400- ton transport to Boden, in northern Sweden, and a 500-ton transport to Kemi, in Finnish Lapland.

 

In line with our strategy, we continued our development work to ensure our operations in the future as well. Our ongoing development activities and projects help us improve our operations to benefit us, our employees and the environment.

 

Another significant event in 2024 was the 70th birthday of Ahola Group’s Chairman of the Board, Hans Ahola. A charity seminar at Kokkola City Hall with 250 guests was organized to celebrate the occasion. At the event, Hans and invited experts delivered inspiring speeches about leadership.

 

The current and future role of AI

 

We have been actively developing digital tools for more than twenty years now. We constantly stive to improve our transport management system Attracs Online to ensure that it will serve us both now and in the future.

 

Additionally, we have included the responsible implementation of AI as part of our strategy. With proper use, AI provides tools for analyzing data and assists in decision making. For example, Ahola Digital is currently developing an AI-based camera app to support transports, with the aim of improving safety and efficiency.

 

Interest in green services

 

The first fully electric truck in our fleet has been in traffic for a couple of years now and has provided us valuable experience in optimizing transports and planning routes. In 2024, we took a major step in sustainability when our first fully electric truck started regular cross-border transports.

 

The full truck and trailer combination was first introduced in Naantali during Midsummer week, after which it started operating between Finland and Sweden. We were pleased that it garnered widespread interest. In addition to electric vehicles, Ahola continues to pilot gas-powered vehicles.

In autumn, we inaugurated a high-power charging station in Naantali to serve the needs of both heavy vehicles and passenger cars. Its location near the harbor helps both transport and passenger traffic between Finland and Sweden flow smoother.

Ahola Special’s Engineering service has clearly been in demand and has been well received. With the service, we are developing route scanning and planning and optimizing transports to be more eco-friendly.

 

Ahola is built by people

 

There were some changes in our Group management, as we gained a new CFO, who brought with him wide-ranging experience in project business and new perspectives on strategic decision making.

 

The changes in management are not only structural updates in the organization, they also shape our group dynamics. We believe that combining different strengths enriches decision making and speeds up the growth of the whole Group.

 

We measured employee satisfaction for the first time with the Employer Net Promoter Score (eNPS). On a scale of -100 to +100, we received a respectable 43 points. We have been measuring employee satisfaction for a long time, and our previous surveys have already shown that our employees are happy to work at Ahola.

 

Employee satisfaction at Ahola is influenced by, among other things, values characteristic to a family company and a warm community where everyone can be themselves. Additionally, our employees are able to influence their own work. I believe that the freedom and responsibilities they are given make their work meaningful and support the greater good. This is also supported by the high Net Promoter Score (NPS) received from our customers.

 

It is important for us to take into account future talents as well. We organized an event for young Kokkola residents with the theme of following your own path. The aim of the event was to encourage young people to boldly pursue their dreams, which is also the aim of Ahola Academy. The objective of our own driver training program is to improve the employability of drivers. The program got off to a flying start, and our first student is about to graduate.

 

Shared practices promote safety and efficiency

 

Maintaining and developing the safety of our employees is essential to us. The Ahola Way training courses are aimed at all our employees, and their objective is to ensure that everyone knows our shared practices. We train our employees continuously and, in these times, the importance of cyber security has taken centre stage in the training courses, as digital solutions have become increasingly important in the logistics sector.

 

We also conducted a broad competence survey to ensure that we have employed the right talents to both implement our strategy and serve our customers. For us, developing competence is an important way to ensure that we can meet the demands of a changing operating environment and provide our customers with better solutions.

 

We also want to do our part to improve traffic safety. At regular intervals, we organize a Traffic Safety Day for preschools and primary schools where the pupils learn to travel safely together in traffic.

 

Changes in logistics chains

 

The past few years have proved that changes can occur in the blink of an eye. We, however, are well equipped to face the future.

 

As a result of the geopolitical situation, for example, production in Europe is growing, which also increases the number of transports in the area. We have taken this change into account in our operations to ensure the reliability of our services and smooth deliveries to our customers.

 

The shift in the transport industry also entails new opportunities, especially in terms of energy solutions. We actively follow the development of the energy markets and are piloting new solutions to find the optimal energy sources for Ahola.

 

We warmly thank our customers, co-operation partners and employees for their commitment and valuable contribution to the development of sustainable and smart logistics. We are moving forward together – continuous development and our Way Ahead attitude will keep us one step ahead and give us the ability to build an even stronger and more sustainable logistics sector.

 

 

Ida Saavalainen

Group CEO