Hello everyone and thank you for stopping by our blog (again). This time, for a change, I’m not reporting from faraway lands, but telling you what’s going on in Langenhagen near Hanover. That’s where my employer, where I’ve been working for almost two decades, is based: Böhm Güterverkehr. There’s no shortage of drivers there. Why? You can find out here.

At Böhm, we’re a colourful bunch – and that’s what makes the difference. For our boss Markus Böhm, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from – the main thing is that you fit into the team and love what you do. Sounds simple at first. But believe me, it’s not like that everywhere.

Diversity in the team: more than just a trend

Our working world is constantly changing, and this is also noticeable in our team. New colleagues from a wide variety of countries and age groups bring a breath of fresh air. We are tackling the shortage of drivers in a targeted manner – we are recruiting new talent in good time and working closely with the labour office. Interns can get a taste of what we do and decide whether the job suits them. And the result? There are virtually no empty lorries in our yard.

More women at the wheel

More and more women are taking the wheel here. At first, some men were sceptical. But let’s be honest: our female drivers simply do a great job and we have all learnt from each other. At our second location in Bad Dürrenberg, for example, 15 per cent of our drivers are now female – that’s seven women! Who would have thought that a few years ago?

One of them is Kim, who has been with us for 15 years. In her early days, she had to stand up to sceptical looks and silly remarks, but she has asserted herself and is a role model for many. ‘As a woman, you put yourself under pressure and want to prove that you’re just as good as the men,’ she says. Kim loves her job and can’t imagine doing anything else – switching to the office is not an option for her. However, she avoids long-distance travelling and prefers to stay close by, so she is at home in the evenings and has time for her hobbies.

The mix makes the difference

And that’s not all: we have no age limits either. Anyone who wants to and is fit can drive here. Our youngest driver is just 18 years old. One of our colleagues is, believe it or not, 80 years old. I mean: How cool is that? Another one came to us in his mid-60s and wanted to really get going again – and now? He’s still doing his rounds and is fully committed. That just goes to show that you’re never too old to start something new.

Opportunities for everyone

We also offer opportunities to people who would otherwise find it difficult to gain a job. Young unemployed people, for example. That’s why we work closely with the job centers and provide apprenticeships. Many of our apprentices come through this channel and now stay with us. Last year, we had five new apprentices – at a time when it is generally considered difficult to find suitable young talents.

A keen networker

And my boss knows how to network. Whether it’s the Lower Saxony Transport Association or the Hanover Economic Development Agency – we get support and advice from everywhere. That’s also how we often get trainees, who later often move permanently into the driver’s seat.

A real team

A lot has happened at our company since it was founded in 1972. It all started with our current senior boss Rüdiger Böhm as driver and the trained forwarding agent Barbara Böhm in the office. Today, we are 170 people strong, and with 100 trucks we are on the road all over Europe on a grand scale. But despite all the growth, the personal touch has remained. We know each other, we help each other. Our bosses have managed to run their company in such a way that everyone feels comfortable here – whether young or old and regardless of gender.

That’s why I’m already looking forward to seeing colleagues again, whom I’ve rarely met during the few stops at home over the past few months. And I’m excited to see where my next tours will take me.

Until then – and stay on the road,

your Ronny