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AcademyMonth: August 2026
3,500,000 Kilometres Ahead: Why Being a Pioneer in E-Logistics Pays Off
For us, sustainability is not a trend – it is a fundamental part of our solutions business. While others were still weighing up their options, we had already covered more than one million kilometres electrically and gained valuable real-world experience. A look behind the scenes at a fleet transformation that required far more than simply installing new charging points.
Always an Early Adopter: Why We Chose Not to Wait
Today, we deliberately focus on customised logistics solutions – wherever we can make a real difference. We create added value for our customers. And today, that added value is inseparably linked with environmental responsibility.
In 2021, we made the decision to introduce our first electric delivery vehicles. Since 2023, our electric fleet has been in regular operation. Our conviction is clear: economic efficiency and environmental responsibility are not contradictory – they are the logical consequence of doing things properly.
The First eSprinter: From Curiosity to Everyday Workhorse
The first electric Sprinter in our fleet? At first, it was viewed almost like a spaceship. Today? It is as much a part of everyday operations as a pallet in the warehouse. But it was the Ford E-Transit, which we introduced back in 2023, that truly paved the way.
What surprised us: the integration was almost seamless. Technology has now reached a level of maturity where electric mobility is no longer an experiment, but a reliable partner in the demanding day-to-day world of logistics.
The models from Ford and Mercedes prove their reliability every single day and are in no way inferior to their diesel counterparts. The fact that we operate vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes, which can still perform efficiently in last-mile and fine distribution despite the additional battery weight, underlines just how mature the technology has become.
Let’s Be Clear: Without Acceptance, Nothing Moves
It is also important to be honest: there was scepticism. “Will I complete my route?”, “Where can I charge?”, “What happens if I get stuck in traffic?” New technology inevitably raises questions.
Our approach: openness and dialogue. We did not present our drivers, dispatch teams and site managers with a fait accompli. Instead, we involved them in the journey from the very beginning.
The principle: take concerns and worries seriously. At a joint event, we explained the technology, drove the vehicles together and left those initial reservations where they belong: in the past.
The result: once people have driven electric, most do not want to go back to diesel.
Efficient Planning Is the New Refuelling
In the past, refuelling took just a few minutes. E-logistics requires a different mindset. Range, topography – yes, the Swiss mountains are a challenge – and charging points all influence operational planning.
- The reality: sometimes an intermediate charging stop needs to be planned.
- What we learned: our dispatch teams have become logistics strategists who keep charging curves and elevation profiles firmly in view.
- Tachograph challenges: correctly operating the onboard technology in electric vehicles was also part of the learning process for the team.
Infrastructure: Energy on Our Own Premises
An electric vehicle alone does not make logistics sustainable. Infrastructure makes the difference. We currently operate around 60 charging points with capacities of up to 22 kW. Why not rely exclusively on high-speed charging? The answer is simple: sustainability.
By charging gently overnight, we help preserve the battery cell chemistry. This “Charge-Care” principle significantly extends battery life and increases the number of charging cycles – a crucial factor for the economic efficiency of a fleet that is in demanding daily operation. We charge when the grid is under less strain and when the vehicles are parked anyway.
And when time is tight on the road? Our charging cards give us access to external high-performance chargers with charging capacities of up to 115 kW, allowing us to keep downtime to a minimum.
Numbers That Make Preconceptions Disappear
Let’s look at the numbers: our electric fleet has already saved more than 1,400 tonnes of CO₂. That is the environmental side – but what about the financial side? The figures add up, and very clearly.
An electric motor has significantly fewer wear parts: no oil changes, no gearbox maintenance and substantially reduced brake wear. As a result, maintenance costs are noticeably lower.
Looking at ongoing operating costs, we are currently around 20 to 40% below comparable diesel vehicles. The technology is not a fragile toy, but a robust, low-maintenance solution that proves itself every day in demanding real-world operations.
Anyone who still claims that e-mobility in logistics is merely an expensive hobby simply has not done the maths.
All Good – But What About Winter?
Yes, batteries do not like the cold. But we have a solution for that too: smart preconditioning. By specifically preheating the batteries, we can gain up to 30% more range in winter. Combined with dedicated training for winter operations, we have this challenge well under control.
Looking Ahead: Experience Is Our Most Valuable Fuel
What sets us apart from companies that are only now starting to “find the plug”? It is the advantage gained from hundreds of thousands of kilometres of real-world experience. We have direct contact with manufacturers and continuously optimise our processes based on feedback from our drivers. We know what works on the road – and what does not.
An Honest Conclusion: The Courage Paid Off
Balancing economics and ecology required a great deal of work. There were setbacks, learning moments and periods of scepticism. But that journey is exactly what has made us experts. Today, the technology is no longer the issue – mindset is the key.
We had the courage to move forward as an Early Adopter, and that head start pays off every single day. We are clearly on the right track.
Marco Hartmann is Managing Director of SFL AG and has been closely involved in the development of the vehicle fleet and e-mobility for several years.
He has accompanied the introduction of electric vehicles at Sieber from the very beginning and is familiar with both the technical requirements and the challenges and opportunities of electric mobility in day-to-day logistics operations.
Smart Border Austria: Digital customs clearance for more efficient border processes
IIn cross-border freight transport, smooth and predictable customs processes are essential. With Smart Border Austria, procedures at border crossings between Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are being gradually digitalised.
The aim of the project is to replace the current paper-based routing slip procedure and make customs clearance more efficient, transparent and straightforward. For companies, this can mean fewer manual intermediate steps, more transparent processes and more predictable clearance at the border.
Gradual introduction in Vorarlberg
Smart Border Austria is being introduced gradually at border customs offices in Vorarlberg. Since 24 June 2026, processes at the Tisis border crossing have been handled digitally. Further border crossings will follow over the course of the year.
According to the current schedule, the existing routing slip procedure is expected to be fully discontinued in September 2026. Regular operation of Smart Border Austria across the entire area is planned from December 2026.
Digital support on the Swiss side
On the Swiss side, the Activ app provided by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security supports the digital processing of transit procedures, among other things. Vehicle and transit data can be recorded before the border is crossed. This simplifies processes and can help make border crossings more efficient.
However, digitalisation does not necessarily mean that the process is completely paperless in every case. Depending on the customs procedure, certain documents must still accompany the transport.
Your benefits at a glance
The new digital processes are intended to provide the following benefits in particular:
- More efficient and predictable border clearance
- Fewer manual and paper-based process steps
- Improved traceability of customs processes
- Early detection of missing or incorrect information
Our customs department is actively addressing the new requirements, adapting the necessary processes accordingly and will continue to support our customers in ensuring reliable customs clearance.
Smart Border Austria therefore represents an important step towards modern and future-oriented customs procedures for the movement of goods between Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
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Smart Border_Austria 2026 -German
Infographic – German
Thomas Bleiker has been active in the Swiss fitness industry for more than 30 years and is one of its established figures. His extensive experience in planning, equipping and implementing fitness facilities forms the foundation of
BZ Solutions AG‘s work.
Drawing on his expertise, he supports clients in the delivery of complete fitness studios and provides high-quality solutions for professional training environments.
A fitness centre spanning around 2,000 square metres
A recent project demonstrates just how complex such implementations can be: a modern fitness centre spanning around 2,000 m² was completed in Bulle in the canton of Fribourg. The studio was equipped with more than 100 pieces of fitness equipment as well as a complete interior fit-out from BZ Solutions and is operated by the client.
“Projects like these are highly demanding, particularly when numerous components from different countries have to come together,” says Thomas Bleiker.
Demanding requirements in day-to-day project work
The fitness equipment is sourced from China, Korea, the United States and various European countries. For BZ Solutions, we manage the international transport, import handling, customs clearance and on-time delivery.
This involves complex processes that require precise coordination and extensive experience in international logistics.
“Our products are large and heavy. Without reliable logistics, it is almost impossible to deliver projects like these efficiently.”
Projects of this scale come with demanding requirements. Lead times are long, while progress also depends on numerous external factors. Only when materials, equipment and schedules are perfectly aligned can installation and commissioning proceed smoothly.
Flexibility is essential
Long delivery times, international transport routes and last-minute changes are all part of projects like these. What matters is not whether challenges arise, but whether they are met with flexibility and a solution-focused approach.
For Thomas Bleiker, the priority is clear: “In the end, everything has to be in the right place at the right time. That is the only way to complete a project like this on schedule.”
One partner for the entire logistics process
BZ Solutions works with Sieber to manage the logistics. Our support covers everything from international transport coordination, import handling and customs clearance to delivery at the relevant site.
Sieber is also involved in on-site installation and commissioning. This creates a seamless end-to-end solution that noticeably reduces the workload for BZ Solutions throughout the project.
“Sieber supports us across the entire transport chain – from import handling and customs clearance through to on-site delivery and installation.”
Quality through to the final step
A good solution does not end with planning. Its true quality becomes evident in the implementation, at the customer’s premises and in the way everyone involved works together.
Through reliability, care and professional execution, we help ensure that BZ Solutions AG’s commitment to quality is reflected in every stage of delivery.
These are precisely the moments that demonstrate the difference made by a logistics partner that does more than simply execute – one that also thinks ahead.
Reliable when it matters
For Thomas Bleiker, one thing matters most in a partnership: a reliable partner that thinks ahead and acts pragmatically. During particularly intensive project phases, he especially values direct communication, quick coordination and a straightforward partnership on equal terms.
His conclusion on working with Sieber:
“With Sieber, you know you have a partner you can count on. The partnership is reliable and solution-focused. They do not just talk – they deliver.”
About BZ Solutions AG
At BZ Solutions AG, high-quality equipment meets decades of experience in the fitness industry. By operating its own fitness studios, the company knows first-hand what truly matters in day-to-day operations: well-designed solutions, reliable equipment and facilities that perform over the long term.
This hands-on expertise feeds directly into every client project, making BZ Solutions AG a strong partner for modern fitness facilities.
Thomas Bleiker, Owner
