trans-o-flex appointed partner for civil emergency response services in Germany

• State assures support if required: police protection for delivery vehicles, access to restricted areas, preferred mobile phone connection and trouble-shooting
• trans-o-flex has made a commitment to the German government to provide transport capacity for medicines and medical supplies in emergencies and crises

Due to the efficiency of its transport and logistics networks and its importance in the German pharmaceuticals supply sector, trans-o-flex has been appointed partner of the civil emergency response services for road traffic in the Federal Republic of Germany. This new status is linked on the one hand to trans-o-flex's voluntary commitment to provide the German Federal Government with transport capacity for medicines and medical supplies for emergency response services. Payment is regulated by the Federal Requisitioning Act. On the other hand, the status is associated with numerous special privileges that help trans-o-flex to provide its services safely and reliably even under the special conditions of crises or disasters.

In an emergency, trans-o-flex will thus receive state support in the provision of its services. This means, for example, that trans-o-flex vehicles will also be allowed to enter areas that may be cordoned off, or they will be given a police escort. Furthermore, trans-o-flex will be given priority by government agencies in emergencies. Last but not least, due to its new status, trans-o-flex has received the 'telecommunications security certificate'. This certificate is only awarded to companies which are particularly relevant for providing services to the population, which must be contactable by the Federal Government at all times and whose telecommunications must therefore function 100% even in crisis situations. In practice, this means that fixed network telecommunications faults are cleared as a matter of priority and without delay. In addition, trans-o-flex will receive a special mobile phone connection which will be given priority network access in the event of a crisis.

Before trans-o-flex was granted the new status, numerous discussions took place between government representatives and the company. "It was they who approached us here," emphasises Wolfgang P. Albeck. "But we were of course delighted with the trust that was placed in us there and supported the discussions at the highest level." Initial contacts came about back in August. The certificate was issued in November. In the meantime, representatives of the authorities have satisfied themselves that trans-o-flex is one of the companies able to ensure provision of basic medical supplies for the population in the transport and traffic sector. For example, the company's own and third-party transport capacities were assessed, as well as the proportion of regularly transported general cargo and parcel volumes, especially in the actively temperature-controlled ranges of 2 to 8 degrees and 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.

The status granted is not subject to a time limit. The telecommunications security certificate is valid for ten years.