Letter from the CEO: A Year in Review and the Path Forward to 2024

As 2023 draws to a close, it is an opportune moment to reflect on our achievements, challenges and to look forward with enthusiasm and trust for the future.

This year was dynamic and full of external crosswinds. We experienced the effects of the rising inflation and increasing costs on our organisation and worked in an uncertain context both nationally and internationally. Against this backdrop, I’m extremely proud of the agility and resilience showed by Cargus team in driving results, and humbled by your trust and partnership, which remain integral to our continued growth, evolution and future aspirations.

2023 has been significant for Cargus’ path. We continued to make good progress on our longer-term strategic priorities and marked the year with solid transformation on all levels of the organisation. We led with innovation, aiming to improve the customer experience and driving efficiencies across our business – increasing operational excellence, team consolidation, launching digital solutions and expanding our services on other markets in the region. We invested in capabilities that will differentiate our family of brands and operations in the long run.

As I look back on the year, I am particularly proud of the following achievements.

A Year of Operational Excellence and Growth


This year has been pivotal in reinforcing our commitment to operational excellence. We’ve modernized and relocated key warehouses in Romania and Poland, and bolstered our team, creating a resilient and efficient ecosystem. This transformation led to a significant achievement – almost 98% of our parcels were delivered as promised, higher than 2022, a testament of our team’s dedication. Just a short but important insight: in November, the highlight of the peak season, we managed to deliver almost 5 million parcels and offer customers an increased courier experience, due to our team’s dedication.
In 2024, we will continue to relocate and modernize our warehouse portfolio, to strengthen our numbers in delivery time, increase operational efficiency, build a strong network in the region and invest in technological solutions that will optimize our operational processes.

Expanding Our Horizons Internationally


2023 also marked our ambitious expansion beyond our borders. We’ve solidified our presence in Poland, moving to a larger, state-of-the-art cross dock facility. This expansion, coupled with winning key international clients and growing our team, has laid a robust foundation for further regional growth. Next year we will focus on consolidating our presence and creating new routes on new markets, such as Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Greece .

Digital Innovation at the Core


True to our DNA, digital innovation remained a cornerstone of our strategy. The launch of a new website version, of the first ecommerce platform for B2B contracts, and the milestone of over 1 million downloads for the Cargus Mobile App underscore our commitment to digital excellence long-term. Our efforts were recognised with the Most innovative service/product in Delivery Services Award, offered during the Romanian Courier and Postal Services Business Awards for Excellence 2023.

We aim to further innovate and enhance our delivery experience through digital initiatives tailored especially for the e-commerce businesses.

Enhancing Customer Experience Through Our Out-of-Home Network


The expansion of our Cargus SHIP & GO network, now boasting 3,000 fixed points and lockers, has revolutionized the delivery experience for customers and consumers. This network not only offers convenience but also empowers our customers and supports local entrepreneurship, and the increase in volumes states that. Consolidation and optimization are key words for next year.

Commitment to Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility


Last but not least, in 2023 our efforts in sustainability and corporate governance were recognized with the prestigious EcoVadis silver medal – Cargus being the only Romanian courier company awarded. Also, we recently obtained the Sustainability Commitment Award, during the Romanian Courier and Postal Services Business Awards for Excellence 2023. This accolade reflects our dedication to environmental protection, diversity, inclusion, and supporting future generations.

As we say farewell to 2023, we look forward to a 2024 filled with opportunities and shared successes. Our culture is rooted in teamwork and passion and our energy is directed towards elevating operational excellence, customer experience, and leading the digital transformation in courier services. I am confident that with focus and discipline we can strengthen our business and generate true value for you, our partners. Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Let me take the opportunity to wish all of you a peaceful Christmas, with your family and loved ones, and a Happy New Year!

Warm regards,
Yannick Mooijman
CEO Cargus