When Ivan Vanis, the CEO and Managing Director of Tasman Logistics Services, was advised to hire people smarter than himself, the words truly hit home.

“It taught me the importance of building a team with a variety of skills and expertise,” he tells The CEO Magazine. “When I’m surrounded by talented people who excel in their roles, we can work together, innovate and keep learning from each other.”

Not only that, but the advice acted as a reminder to stay humble as a leader – something that many in positions of power often forget.

“I don’t have to have all the answers, and there are team members who know more than me in different areas,” he concedes.

“By acknowledging this, I can make better decisions and create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to share their ideas.”

It’s an approach that has shaped how he leads the company, which he joined as CEO in 2017, and resulted in Vanis being named a finalist at The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards. “It’s all about building a robust, collaborative team that drives our success,” he says.

Pushing the boundaries

The past few years have also seen the business significantly expand, adding logistics business Ryans Group to its ranks in June last year, along with additional infrastructure assets in Toowoomba and the Port of Brisbane.

Earlier this year, the company also confirmed it would add 15 new Kenworth prime movers to its growing fleet. Together, these milestones have propelled the company northwards of US$195 million in revenue, with a headcount of more than 900 staff across the country.

It is this bolstered team that will now drive Tasman Logistics Services toward its next ambitious goals, with innovation at the top of Vanis’ agenda.

Having proved its agility and flexibility in the post-pandemic period, responding to the shifting needs of industries across the board, the company has spent the past 18 months carefully planning how to move forward.

“We recognize a dramatic shift in innovation and want to close the gap where automation falls short and reimagine a competitive pricing model that sets us apart from other transport and logistics companies,” he explains. “We want to market ourselves as the ‘smarter’ solution.”

Already, the company is seeing significant growth in new markets both nationally and internationally, a trajectory Vanis predicts will continue. He highlights commodities in Indonesia, the Middle East, South America and China as particularly promising areas.

It is also investing in new solutions, which promise to set the company out of reach of its competition. “It’s not just about new lanes and efficient routes, but paving the way for new bespoke technologies that connect every business and customer touchpoint, giving our customers the foresight and information beyond any other logistics company,” he explains.

Driven by innovation

These innovations include the ability to track the Tasman Logistics Services fleet while on the road or parked in the warehouse. “We want to create a technological platform that reflects how we think and helps us activate what we want to do next,” Vanis says.

“It needs to be able to answer what we want to know. How many fleets do we have parked in our Brisbane warehouse? How many palettes are we receiving in the Port of Brisbane between 7am and 5pm tomorrow?”

The answers to such questions will be ready in minutes rather than days or months, Vanis promises. “Our scheduling will be second to none, and customers will rely on us more than ever,” he says.

Such advances will set Tasman Logistics Services at the forefront of an industry that is rapidly evolving. Sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions are becoming more commonplace, with such progress only set to continue.

“Electric vehicles, biofuels and renewable energy-powered supply chains will be crucial as we work to reduce our environmental impact,” Vanis explains.

“At Tasman, we’re already investing in these technologies, and I’m confident we can be at the forefront of the industry’s transition to smarter practices.”

Digital technologies also hold much promise in terms of streamlining and optimizing logistics operations, in his view. These range from AI-powered route planning to blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability.

“I believe intelligent data and automation can help us operate more efficiently, improve visibility and deliver an even higher level of service to our clients,” Vanis says.

People at its heart

So how does Tasman Logistics Services’ team dynamic and wealth of talent help move these goals within reach? By being collaborative, innovative and customer-centric, according to Vanis.

“Our company culture has significantly contributed to our success at Tasman Logistics,” he says. “The collaborative and supportive environment we have fostered has empowered our employees to perform at their best and work together toward common goals. This has led to increased productivity, higher employee engagement and, ultimately, better outcomes for our clients.”

With employees encouraged to seek new ways to add value and exceed expectations, a strong focus on pushing the boundaries, as well as delivering superlative customer service, has emerged.

“We prioritize open communication, teamwork and a solid commitment to delivering exceptional service,” he says. “Our employees are encouraged to think creatively, take initiative and continuously improve processes to serve our clients better.

“We also place a high value on diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a diverse team brings a wealth of different perspectives and ideas to the table. I truly believe that our company culture is a key driver of our success at Tasman Logistics, and I am proud of its positive impact on our business.”

It’s no real surprise then that Vanis’ leadership philosophy is built around many elements that are common with the company’s culture – for instance, his emphasis on leading by example as well as trust, respect and open communication with the company.

“Collaboration is also an essential aspect of my leadership philosophy,” he continues. “The best results are achieved when we work together toward a shared vision, leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise. I encourage teamwork, innovation and a willingness to challenge the status quo to drive positive change and growth within the company.”

Team members are supported to pursue continuous learning and personal development by seeking out new growth opportunities and embracing new challenges in the same way that Vanis is doing on behalf of the company as a whole.

His hope is that Tasman Logistics Services will play an important part in shaping the future of the transport and logistics sector. “I hope this pivotal role is more environmentally conscious, technologically advanced and better positioned to meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers alike,” Vanis says.

“I want us to be known as the go-to partner for innovative, sustainable and tech-enabled logistics solutions. By continuing to invest in our people, infrastructure and capabilities, I’m confident that we can solidify our position as an industry trailblazer and trusted partner to our customers.”