Logistics Management

Five years ago, the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers plunged the global economy into an unprecedented crisis. What once started as a well-intentioned cotton trade in far-off Alabama, resulted in a financial hangover that the European consumer society has still not recovered from. The inevitable result: a continuous wave of restructurings, mergers and acquisitions in our mailboxes, not to mention the bankruptcies. Even the real estate sector in Belgium, which was considered untouchable, had to pay the price, although the eager SMEs still managed to save the furniture to some extent. Yet it is almost touching how the remaining marketing guys still manage to turn every layoff or acquisition into a positive story, a good news show that almost spontaneously makes you smile. From united forces to together strong to 1+1=3. Absolutely brilliant. Now, we journalists, at least the kind who don't spend our days reporting on Astrid Bryan's new poodle or the glorious coronation of King Filip, are naturally rather sceptical. We immediately burst over-inflated balloons with our sixth sense for sweet talk, a trump card that we have unfortunately had to play far too often over the past five years. But there is also really good news: the easyFairs Transport & Logistics trade fair in Antwerp Expo is approaching, and it looks promising. With more than 300 exhibitors, our sector is giving the proverbial finger to the economic malaise, as evidenced by this hefty trade fair catalogue packed with new players, innovative products and daring initiatives. There is a particularly positive vibe in the sector surrounding the trade fair, with our exclusive 'Gazellen Transport & Logistics' award ceremony as the ultimate exponent. And our sixth sense, by the way, is remarkably quiet: the organisers at easyFairs could hardly have dreamed of a better omen.