It all started 25 years ago with a handful of founding members. Now, under the patronage of GS1 Switzerland, the LCS boasts over 700 members, just over 100 of whom are in French-speaking Switzerland. The anniversary was celebrated with a ride on the red double-headed "Churchill" aircraft, originally built specifically for state visits and special trips – and the association's public image was updated.
with «Churchill» Following in the footsteps of history.
The Logistics Support Centre (LCS) describes itself as a cross-industry networking platform for Swiss logistics executives, as Jan Eberle, Head of Industry Engagement Logistics, and Tim Robel, Industry Engagement Manager Logistics at GS1 Switzerland, explained to us in a personal interview in Zurich. What lies behind this "holistic and practical platform for the mutual exchange of experience and information," professionally organized company visits, and expert presentations under the patronage of GS1 Switzerland?
A glimpse behind the scenes is always fascinating and leads, among other things, to Churchill. Not to the British Prime Minister himself, who died in 1965, but to the "Red Arrow," the legendary light railcar of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) named after him. It became famous for carrying Winston Churchill to Zurich, where the British statesman delivered his famous speech on European unification in 1946. Today, the Red Arrow is a piece of technical heritage and is used for nostalgic special excursions.
T.Robel, N.Kampert, M.Tüfer, M.Hohmann, P.Rudin, J.Eberle (from left to right)
The LCS, led by President Jan Eberle, who succeeded Thomas Bögli at GS1, and Tim Robel, a name not yet widely known, was thus on a kind of "special tour" through the Swiss logistics landscape. This may be because, in addition to his primary role as a manager in GS1's logistics operations, Robel is increasingly involved with the Club de Logisticiens de Suisse Romande in western Switzerland, which—no joke—was founded on November 11, 2014 (and indeed at 11:11 a.m.) with an identical structure.
Not everyone can participate
Is the LCS, with Jan, Tim, Mark Hohmann, Patrick Rudin, Michael Tüfer, and Natalie Kampert on its board, an elite club? After all, anyone wanting to join must hold a diploma from a higher professional examination as a logistics manager, logistics IT manager, or supply chain manager, a diploma from a technical college or university of applied sciences, a postgraduate diploma, or a comparable management position. Jan confirms that not just anyone can join. "We are definitely a closed club," he says.
Active in western Switzerland: J. Ballmer, T. Robel, S. Eckmann and D. Gambage.
A certain degree of exclusivity is intentionally maintained. There are specific requirements arising from qualifications and personal attributes. This is not a marketing club or a sales association. The quality of the network is paramount. On the other hand, the Logistics CEOs' Club, originally founded as an alumni organization, has evolved throughout its history and become an important network where good contacts are valued, but not simply about networking. The exchange of experience and the expansion of knowledge are the main focus.
"We are growing continuously"
“We are growing steadily,” Tim observes. Not “jumping” through rapidly—perhaps too rapidly, as elsewhere—increasing membership numbers, but “organically.” A certain level of quality, positive leadership qualities, and expertise are essential. It's about addressing common issues, meeting the interfaces of logistics with overarching requirements from sometimes very different sectors: transportation, food, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, electronics, IT, automation, and digitalization. “Of course, we also want to continue our business growth.”.
Logistics excursions with professionals. Photos: Courtesy of the organizers.
Most recently, in May, the Acceleron in Baden and the Gebinde Logistik Center (GLC) in Villmergen were visited, a networking aperitif was held at Logistics & Automation in Zurich, in November 2024 the elevator manufacturer Schindler in Ebikon was visited, and – incidentally – a workshop on «LinkedIn» was also carried out with good tips on using the professional internet platform and other social media.
“With regard to the shortage of skilled workers,” Jan and Tim say in unison, “it is also important to consciously ensure that logistics becomes an increasingly attractive professional environment for women.”.
Attractive work environment
Jan Eberle and Tim Robel used the tour between Limmat, Reuss, Rhine Falls view and Laufen Castle to announce a new name for the club of logistics executives, which was determined in recent months by a vote among the members: Leaders in Supply Chain will be the future name.
While survey responses in numerous clubs and associations are sometimes quite meager and sometimes barely noticeable, the reaction from members to the efforts to rename the organization here was clearly pronounced. Above all, the simple association with logistics and the top club of logistics managers is intended to more clearly convey the overarching and now globally established interface function of the "Leaders in Supply Chain" designation, in which everyone now participates and fulfills key roles.
