Women play a crucial role in the logistics industry, demonstrating remarkable resilience even in the face of challenges. According to a study by Gartner, women now constitute 41% of the supply chain workforce, a 2% increase from 2020. However, retaining mid-career women remains a challenge, with only 15% holding C-suite positions. Women in logistics contribute significantly, but there’s still work to be done to achieve greater representation and leadership roles. Supply chain organizations are actively working to attract, develop, retain, and advance women, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
One woman who’s holding the fort on her own and creating new milestones every day in the industry is Anne Schaeddel, Owner and Managing Director of Project One.
The Serendipitous Path to Logistics
In the heart of Germany, where the scent of freshly baked pretzels mingles with the hum of bustling streets, Anne stood at a crossroads. After school, the world seemed to split into two distinct paths: the well-trodden academic route leading to university, or the enigmatic trail of trainee jobs. She hesitated, her compass spinning wildly, unsure which direction to take.
University held the promise of knowledge, but it also demanded years of study—a commitment Anne wasn’t very excited about. She craved something more immediate, more hands-on. And so, she embarked on a quest for answers, weaving through interviews like a curious traveler exploring uncharted lands.
It was during one of these interviews that she stumbled upon freight forwarding. The term left a trail of intrigue in its wake. Freight forwarding—the art of orchestrating the movement of goods across continents, bridging cultures and time zones. Suddenly, the world felt smaller and more interconnected. Anne envisioned herself as a logistics nomad, navigating oceans and customs forms, unraveling the mysteries of supply chains.
Hamburg, with its bustling port and salty sea breeze, became her gateway. There, as a wide-eyed trainee, Anne dipped her toes into the logistics ocean. The cargo ships whispered secrets, and the cranes waved hello. She learned to decode shipping manifests and negotiate with customs officials. Each day was a voyage—a chance to explore, adapt, and connect.
And so, Anne set sail on this uncharted sea, fueled by curiosity and a longing for adventure. The world became her cargo, and logistics her compass. From Hamburg’s docks to distant shores, she has journeyed alongside containers and cultures, forever bound to this dynamic industry.
Anchoring her Experience
After working in Germany for a few years, Anne received a job offer in Brazil. Different cultures fascinate her so she knew moving to Brazil would open her up to a whole new world in the logistics field. After spending some years working in Brazil, she decided to pursue global project freight forwarding in the United States and moved to Houston. Working for different companies helped her learn all the different aspects of logistics and made her a very well-rounded project freight forwarder who was not afraid to take on new challenges. Her next sojourn was the establishment of her own business, Project One Logistics.
The company emerged from a demand for specialized project logistics. Project One Logistics’ seasoned professionals focus on transporting manufactured goods across borders, both by land and air. They pride themselves on customer-centric solutions that match client requirements and budgets. Anne’s role as Owner and Managing Director of Project One is to support the great team she has and bring new business in as much as possible. She attends a lot of trade shows to meet new potential customers and keep Project One’s strong relationships with its existing customers. The company’s operators handle most of its big accounts but Anne has a few that she still handles as she has long-term personal relationships with them.
Project One Logistics was formed to meet the strong demand for project logistics provided by experienced professionals with a focus on the transportation of manufactured goods by inland, cross-border, and air cargo. They understand that the needs of each project are different, and they analyze each project to understand the requirements and challenges of its supply chain.
“We pride ourselves on being customer-oriented and work as a team with our customers and vendors to provide the best logistics solutions tailor-made to your requirements while matching your budget. My vision for the company is to continue to grow at a smart pace and to keep on giving our customers the service and honesty they need and appreciate. We will continue to take on complex projects and expand our network. To achieve this, we will continue to do what we do best, project logistics,” states Anne.
Defying Challenges
Anne appreciates the intricacies of the project cargo industry. In project logistics, almost every project is a new challenge, as they are always working with different countries, routes, ports, etc. Each project brings unique challenges, and working in this field means encountering fresh obstacles daily. Anne finds satisfaction in troubleshooting to ensure a seamless process from start to finish. Collaborating with customers to understand their project requirements and tailor solutions to their specific needs is invigorating because it involves their trust in Project One’s expertise.
Anne’s working style is a result of this intricacy. She understands that there are (almost) always solutions and a systematic approach to identifying potential solutions, evaluating them, and implementing them is required. She’s also always open to suggestions and others’ insights whether it be from a team member or another partner. No one can be the expert on everything so listening to people who are is key.
Adding to the complications is the legal challenge. Each country has its own regulations, laws, and cultures. Anne learned very quickly when working with people around the world that each country has its own challenges, but with a good and reliable network, they can overcome these challenges together and make their customer’s transportation as smooth as possible. It’s important to understand and respect regulations as not doing so can lead to extra charges and delayed cargo, something Project One and its customers are keen to avoid.
“For example, import duties from China can be a costly challenge for our customers, so we always work with our beforehand to help them understand what charges may apply to them. We currently have challenges with both the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal which potentially can cause heavy delays in ocean freight leading to us declining certain vessel sailings due to these issues instead we need to identify new routes for our customer’s cargo. We focus on being as open and upfront as possible with our customers about potential challenges and charges. While we can’t foresee every potential issue we find being honest about costs and timelines reduces our customer’s stress levels and allows them to properly plan,” shares Anne.
Reflecting on a particularly memorable challenge, Anne shares that an import project on the West Coast involved large and heavy pieces. Despite initial route planning and timely permit filings, they faced unexpected weight variations upon discharge from the vessel. With a tight schedule and the pressure to secure new permits, find alternative routes, and arrange specialized truck trailers, they persevered and successfully delivered all the cargo within the designated timeframe.
Promoting Diversity
Anne has always demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion. While the project cargo industry tends to have more men than women in leadership roles, her experiences have not been barriers but stepping stones to her success. She sees herself at the same level as her male counterparts and aims to be an example for women in the logistics world. Anne emphasizes empathy and treats customers and vendors as partners, fostering long-lasting relationships.
Project One is a part of the WBENC (Women Business Enterprise National Council) and has the women-owned business certification. It posts a lot on LinkedIn, mentioning how important their diversity is in freight forwarding, as they work with the world. “Project One speaks 5 languages and we have people from around the world working here, all with different cultures and languages. Because of this we have a diverse range of customers and we understand how they think,” says Anne.
In addition to her commitment to diversity and inclusion, Anne has spearheaded several initiatives at Project One that actively promote professional development by encouraging employees to attend industry conferences, workshops, and training sessions. Anne also emphasizes a collaborative work environment, fostering open communication and teamwork. Furthermore, she supports employee well-being through flexible work arrangements and wellness programs. Her leadership style prioritizes transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, creating a positive organizational culture.
Toward the Future on a Path of Growth
To grow personally and professionally, Anne loves reading all kinds of books, especially those by Malcolm Gladwell. She has a close friendship circle of other entrepreneurs in all areas, and always loves to hear their stories and how they cope in different situations. They help each other by giving advice.
As for Project One’s growth, she envisions a future that is very bright. They will continue to grow at a manageable pace and evolve within the logistics industry to keep up with all new trends that arise. Speaking about trends, Anne observes that Artificial Intelligence is starting to play a large role in the logistics industry. More and more things are becoming automated. Project One prides itself on its customer service and personal relationships so it will continue to do as much work itself for as long as the industry allows while utilizing these tools to stay competitive and be as responsive as possible. However, the team is prepared to make changes as needed to better fit its customers’ needs.
“Our entire organization is on board for whatever needs to be done to keep Project One a key player in the industry. We will continue to provide the best customer service experience for all our clients and that alone will allow us to keep climbing to the top. I want to continue to grow my team and possibly open different office locations in the US. The challenge is finding the right people for the team. We all have a similar mindset, and the way we work together works so well. We trust and respect each other. In our business, the people are the most important asset, so finding the right people is the biggest challenge,” says Anne.
Message for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
Anne concludes our interaction with the following message for aspiring entrepreneurs:
“To all aspiring entrepreneurs, just keep following your dreams. You can do whatever you put your mind to as long as you keep pushing yourself in that direction. Change is inevitable and you have to adapt accordingly. Setbacks happen but that doesn’t mean you should just give up and move farther away from your end goal.”
Quote: “My working mantra is: Respect each other, respect the people, and trust them with their abilities to do the job.”
Quote: “Whether it’s heavy machinery or delicate prototypes, we’re here to make logistics seamless and efficient.”
Quote: “When I receive photos of successfully delivered cargo at its final destination, I know our efforts have paid off.”
