1986
It all started in Vienna
The Suedwind bookshop in Vienna was delivering its orders to the customers by car until 1986. That was, until the moment when a 25-year-old Christoph Masoner came to do his national service at Suedwind. This enthusiastic cyclist had an idea to deliver books on two wheels instead of four. The managing director took a lot of persuading. Finally, a success – Christoph Masoner was given permission to try and deliver the books in an environmentally-friendly way. Shortly afterwards, veloce, the first climate-neutral transport company in Austria, was born.
1988
Founding the first bike courier in Switzerland
Over 800 kilometres west of the Austrian capital, something similar was happening: Dutchman Michiel van Essen founds Velokurier Lucerne, Switzerland's first bicycle courier, in 1988. The Lozaerner Stadtblatt writes on 31 August 1988: "They are fast, on the move in all weathers, never hindered by traffic jams, familiar with the area, discreet, inexpensive, quiet and environmentally friendly.
A jazz fan Christoph Masoner travelled from Vienna to attend a music festival at Willisau. The festival visit turned into something more permanent and Masoner joined the Velokurier Luzern. His experience, gained when establishing a city bike courier in Vienna, was very much in demand here. It did not take long before he made it to the management of Velokurier Lucerne.
Medical labs and graphic design agencies were enthusiastic adopters of the bicycle courier right from the start. Other customers took a lot more persuading, and the athletic employees were often mocked. But it worked. Other customers also admitted that the bicycle was the best means of transport in the city.
1990
First national express deliveries
After Lucerne, bike couriers expanded to Bern, Basel, Thun and Zurich. Ever since, fast and environmentally-friendly couriers have become an integral part of the cityscape. In order to strengthen the young industry sector and to embrace the synergies, the Association of Swiss Bike Couriers was founded in 1990, with Christoph Masoner as the founding member and its first president.
The local bike couriers were familiar with the area, unrivalled for the speed of delivery. However, they were unable to accept national deliveries for their customers. How to deliver parcels directly and in an environmentally-friendly way between cities? Naturally, by train. The idea was born, and in May 1990 it came to pass: Five bike couriers linked five cities under the name of “Bike Courier Cities Service”.
1991
A tough start
To start with, the process was slow and met with a lack of understanding at the post office. The couriers would collect express deliveries from the customers, pay an express surcharge at the post office and take the parcel back with them instead of handing it over at the counter. Then they would cycle to the station and deposit the parcel in the baggage car of the next train. The parcels were only accepted because they were stamped with the post office express surcharge. The couriers at the destination location would be informed by phone where the parcel was to be found on the train and where to deliver it to – a lot of work for the couriers.
This is how the bike couriers came to be among the first to successfully challenge the Swiss postal monopoly – no one could deliver faster and more sustainably. In 1996, Christoph Masoner signed the first contract with the Swiss Federal Railways SBB. From now on, trained and registered bicycle couriers were able to get parcels on and off the trains without having to pay a postal surcharge in advance.
1996
The network of courier companies is growing
National express deliveries were popular with customers and bike couriers – in 1996, eleven Swiss bike couriers were already linked to the railway. The offer went under the name of "Velo-City". Luzerner Woche wrote on 30 July 1996 that the new service would enable the bike courier to step out of her niche and join the entire transport network. In an interview with the newspaper, Christoph Masoner explained that Velo-City is a first step and that it is not just about focusing on the cycling, but about providing a perfect service to its customers. Motorised couriers are to offer customers in remote regions a fast, reliable and uncomplicated courier service.
1998
The first national IT platform for courier companies
In the early days, the couriers used to rely on fax and telephone. In 1998 Christoph Masoner created a specification profile for logistics software which would handle all national deliveries. In addition to the physical parcels, the necessary data must also be transmitted quickly and securely using centralised software.
1999
swissconnect founded
swissconnect GmbH was founded by Christoph Masoner on 17 March 1999 as a spin-off of Velokuriers Luzern. The service formerly known as "City-Courier" was now advertised under the name swissconnect. In addition to the city bike couriers, taxi couriers are also part of the network in remote regions. By that time, the swissconnect partner network included 30 courier companies throughout the country.
2009
ISO 9001 Certification
Since its founding swissconnect has mainly transported medical laboratory samples, replacement parts, medications and urgently needed documents. Quality always plays a key role in this and that is why swissconnect obtained its ISO 9001 certification. The implementation of the quality management norm and regular external audits assure that the business processes are maintained and continuously optimized.
2013
New Software-Version
The logistics software developed by swissconnect in 2001 was an absolute innovation since it re-imagined express logistics. You didn´t just drive from point A to point B in a car. Instead, the unique logistics software combined different means of transport (bike, train, car) with each other and determined the fastest and most ecological transport route. The requirements for the original version of this logistics software are constantly increasing– this leads to it being replaced by a new version in 2013. The logistics software is used by all schedulers from the major courier partners from all over Switzerland. Through this central software, local couriers can see what express transports need to be handled in its area. You can find detailed information about it HERE.
2018
Courier-application is developed
The logistics software has been used by the schedulers of the larger partner businesses for several years. With the development of the courier application, swissconnect made the necessary transport information directly available for the bike and car couriers. The couriers have from now on the necessary information about their transport orders directly on their smartphones, which further increases the quality. You can find detailed information about it HERE.
2019
Collective bargaining agreement for bike couriers and urban courier service providers
The severe price pressure on the logistics industry leads to social ills and the exploitation of couriers. Since none of the existing collective bargaining agreements covers the needs of the express couriers, Swiss Messenger Logistics (SML) worked out its own collective bargaining agreement with the Syndicom union. Swissconnect was a member of SML from the start was one of the first firms to sign the collective bargaining agreement for bike couriers and courier service providers which is unique in Europe. The main purpose of the collective bargaining agreement is to secure the high standard of quality, fair working conditions, and the continued development of the industry. You can find detailed information about it HERE.
2019
Participation in the Swiss Logistics Award and Eco Performance Award
The Swiss Logistics Award is the most important national award for innovative services in supply chain management and logistics. Swissconnect is nominated together with Schindler Aufzüge AG and Velokurier Luzern Zug and takes 3rd Place. The nominated project shows that urgently needed replacement parts arrive at the construction site for the service technician from Schindler AG faster and in a more ecologically sound way using a completely digital ordering process and innovative transport system than with any other logistics variant. You can find more detailed information HERE.
swissconnect is one of the finalists of the most important European award for sustainability in the transport and logistics industry, the Eco Performance Award. The award honours companies that harmonise economic, ecological and social aspects. The multimodal courier platform of swissconnect, which represents a sustainability innovation in Europe, was particularly singled out. Detailed information can be found HERE.
2019
CO2-calculater developed in cooperation with Swiss Climate
swissconnect´s unique transport system is the fastest and most ecologically sound transport variant in Switzerland. In order to quantify how high the amount of saved greenhouse gas emissions is, a CO2-calculater was developed in cooperation with Swiss Climate, and connected to our logistics software. The CO2-calculator calculates how many kg of CO2 are saved by our transport system with each individual express delivery, compared with conventional transportation by car. You can find more detailed information HERE.
2020-22
Express transport of countless COVID-19 samples
During the COVID-19 pandemic, swissconnect supported various medical laboratories throughout Switzerland in the rapid transport of countless COVID-19 samples. From the collection of laboratory samples from test centres to the collection of COVID-19 samples in entire cantons, swissconnect was able to offer transport solutions within a very short time.
2023
Change of ERP system
In order to continue to work flexibly, securely and completely digitally in the future, swissconnect has changed its ERP system. On the one hand, the relevant company processes are mapped in the new ERP system, and on the other hand, the swissconnect logistics software communicates optimally with the new ERP system. This continuous data flow continues to guarantee a very efficient way of working.
Heute
swissconnect ag today
Our globally unique transport system, which relies on a combination of the most ecological means of transport possible, saves huge amounts of CO2 every day. It consists of 80 courier companies and brings together 500 bicycle and 200 taxi couriers as well as 10 railway companies throughout Switzerland. 18 employees in Lucerne coordinate the express transports with the support of specially developed logistics software. This enables us to offer our customers the fastest and most sustainable transport option in Switzerland.
Stability, short decision-making processes and personal relationships with customers and courier companies characterise swissconnect ag. The company was, is and will remain independent and is owned by over 20 different shareholders - many of whom are courier companies that work with swissconnect on a daily basis.
We are proud of our long history and the expertise we have built up in sustainable express logistics throughout Switzerland. Would you like to benefit from this? We look forward to making history together with you.
Do you have questions?
Whether on the telephone, via e-mail or a visit in person – we’re here for you.