{"id":28379,"date":"2021-09-16T12:53:13","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T10:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.groupfleet.com\/anfangen-statt-zoegern\/"},"modified":"2023-05-11T09:24:05","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T07:24:05","slug":"customer-report-bechtle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.groupfleet.com\/en\/customer-report-bechtle\/","title":{"rendered":"Start now, don\u2019t hesitate"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lined up neatly in a row \u2013 and already presenting a strong image: 50 new Volkswagen ID.3 cars in front of Bechtle AG headquarters in Neckarsulm. But this was no last-minute drive as 2020 came to a close, just far-sighted planning. The largest German IT system house with around 80 locations in the DACH (German speaking) region is a pioneer in the field of electric mobility \u2013 including having its own green power production and charging infrastructure. Uli Drautz, Head of Corporate Controlling, provides an insight into Bechtle\u2019s motivations.<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Mr Drautz, as Head of Corporate Controlling, would it not be unusual to be involved with fleet matters?<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:\u00a0<\/i>On the one hand, this additional responsibility has grown historically – but on the other hand, it makes perfect sense. We see controlling as supporting our business activities. The composition of an attractive, sustainable and economic fleet fits in well with this.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How important is mobility for Bechtle AG?<\/b>
\nUli Drautz: I<\/i>ncredibly important. Direct contact with our customers and personal consultation are very important to us; it oils the Bechtle gears, so to speak. In addition, managed services and other services at our customers’ premises are also part of our range. Mobility is essential for this.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”26468″ img_size=”590 x 395″][vc_column_text]Uli Drautz,<\/strong><\/span>
\nHead of Corporate Controlling<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

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And that will continue despite and after COVID-19?<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:\u00a0<\/i>Thanks to our IT solutions, we were able to successfully bridge this contact-free period \u2013 but closeness to our customers will remain an essential part of our business model in the future too. Much will continue to be handled digitally, but we are of course delighted to have direct contact with our customers again. In addition, it is often inevitable to be active locally in the service sector.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A large fleet is needed for that. What is the make-up of the fleet at Bechtle?<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:\u00a0<\/i>The company fleet in Germany currently consists of 3,600 vehicles \u2013 for a good 9,000 domestic employees. This ratio alone shows the important role that mobility plays for Bechtle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How high is the percentage of electric vehicles at present?<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:<\/i>\u00a0The share has recently grown significantly \u2013 to more than 22 percent right now. The percentage of hybrid and all-electric vehicles in our fleet was still in the single digits last year. I am proud to see how this has evolved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What drives you to the new drives?<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:\u00a0<\/i>On the one hand, there is the attitude among the employees. We offer them a modern and progressive environment in which to work. Many view combustion models as simply being behind the times. On the other hand, Bechtle has grasped and internalised the fact that electric mobility is vital for the sustainable and environmentally conscious operation of a fleet. That\u2019s why we have been working on this topic since 2014 \u2013 and can now benefit from our early experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How is this commitment received by your customers?<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:\u00a0<\/i>It certainly gives our sales employees an additional and interesting conversation starter, no question about that. What is more significant though is that customers are focusing increasingly on the ability of their partners to deliver a sustainable service. And that\u2019s where a local \u201cCO2<\/sub>-free appearance\u201d matters. But it\u2019s about more than the vehicles; we also have the necessary charging infrastructure. That is a fundamental issue for us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u2026 and one that also covers in-house power generation, such as at company headquarters in Neckarsulm.<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:\u00a0<\/i>Exactly. True electric mobility begins with ecological energy recovery. We have been convinced of that for a long time. And that\u2019s why we are also expanding our photovoltaic systems continually. Buildings are the filling stations of the future \u2013 or already of the present, as can be seen on all the roofs of the buildings at the headquarters. This is a completely logical concept for me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“True electric mobility begins with ecological energy recovery. We have been convinced of that for a long time. And that\u2019s why we are also expanding our photovoltaic systems continually. Buildings are the filling stations of the future.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Uli Drautz,<\/strong>
\n<\/cite>Head of Corporate Controlling
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All of this cannot be done overnight.<\/b>
\nUli Drautz:\u00a0<\/i>That\u2019s true. I would therefore advise all companies that also want to remain mobile in the future: Start now! The transition is quite complex to an extent because topics like driving profile, range, charging infrastructure etc. have to be clarified right down to the last detail. And even though convincing our employees was relatively easy, many companies are no doubt wondering how they can motivate their team to embrace electric mobility. Added to this is the administrative burden. The to-do list is therefore quite full.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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