Johannes Hödlmayr

• Johannes Hödlmayr joined the family-owned Hödlmayr company in Schwertberg, Austria, as the second generation of the family business on August 1, 1976. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a regional transportation business with approximately 100 employees into an international vehicle logistics provider operating in 16 countries, employing around 2,000 people directly and an additional 1,000 through subcontractors. In 2020, he transitioned to the company's Supervisory Board.
• Hödlmayr's entrepreneurial vision was never limited to the growth of his own company. He recognized early on that the challenges facing European vehicle logistics could only be addressed through cooperation. This conviction led to the founding of the ECG – Association of European Vehicle Logistics in 1997.
• By initiating the ECG, Hödlmayr laid the foundation for a Europe-wide platform at a time when cooperation between logistics service providers, automobile manufacturers, and vehicle distributors was largely unstructured. Together with fellow industry leaders, he developed the vision of an organization that would foster dialogue, unite industry interests, and drive the advancement of European vehicle logistics. In doing so, he established the first structured forum for collaboration across the automotive supply chain and made a significant contribution to the professionalization, standardization, and integration of the industry.
• Today, the ECG is the leading representative organization for the European vehicle logistics sector. It represents the industry's interests before EU institutions, automobile manufacturers, and other industry organizations, advocates for competitive political and regulatory frameworks, and actively addresses key issues including digitalization, sustainability, decarbonization, infrastructure, driver shortages, and market regulation. The association also develops industry standards and best practices—for example for digital processes, vehicle handovers, the electronic consignment note (e-CMR), and terminal operations—and provides education and professional development through the ECG Academy.
• Under Hödlmayr's initiative, approximately 17 national driver handbooks were consolidated into a single ECG standard, simplifying processes and harmonizing operational practices across Europe. He also initiated the development of the ECG Operations Quality Manual, a common quality standard that continues to serve as the foundation for consistent damage prevention and quality assessment throughout the automotive supply chain.
• With more than 200 member companies, the ECG brings together logistics providers, automobile manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders in a Europe-wide network. Its members generate annual revenues of approximately €21.3 billion, while the sector's overall economic impact is estimated at €56 billion (2026). Around 93,000 people are directly employed by ECG member companies, with an additional 224,000 indirect jobs highlighting the organization's significance and its continuing influence on the future of European vehicle logistics.
• The impact of Hödlmayr's initiative is also reflected in the changing relationship between logistics providers and automobile manufacturers. Initial skepticism gradually evolved into a collaborative partnership. Today, joint working groups develop quality standards, sustainability concepts, and digital processes. Together with manufacturers and industry associations, the ECG contributes to the development of CO₂ calculation methodologies, decarbonization strategies, and digital standards such as the electronic consignment note (e-CMR).
• As a long-standing representative of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and Deputy Spokesperson for Austria's transport industry, Johannes Hödlmayr advocated for the interests of approximately 250,000 employees in the sector. His work contributed, among other achievements, to funding programs introduced under Austria's truck noise reduction initiative, helping especially small and medium-sized transport companies modernize their fleets.
• Johannes Hödlmayr has also been recognized as a technological pioneer within the industry. He identified the potential of satellite-based tracking systems and digital fleet management at an early stage, promoted the adoption of modern car carriers, developed innovative transport concepts to reduce trips and emissions, and consistently supported the expansion of rail freight transportation. The development of modern rail wagons for commercial vehicles, the digitalization of logistics processes, and his involvement in the creation of Cargo Center Graz exemplify his commitment to combining economic efficiency with environmental responsibility.

Born: January 5, 1957, in Vienna, Austria

1963–1967 Primary School, Schwertberg

1967–1971 Secondary School (Realgymnasium), Steyr

1971–1976 Business Academy (Handelsakademie), Steyr

1976 Joined the family business; training in freight forwarding and logistics

Since 1985 Active in the Transport Division of the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber (WKOÖ)

1989 Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) jet training, Wichita, USA

1995 Post Graduate Management (PGM) Program, Vienna University of Economics and Business

Since 1995 Member of the Freight Forwarders’ Professional Committee

Since 1997 Vice President, ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics

2002 Advanced Management Studies (MAS), Vienna University of Economics and Business

2004 Master of Business Administration (MBA), Vienna University of Economics and Business

Until 2005 Industry representative and spokesperson for aviation companies in Upper Austria

2004–2021 Chairman of the Transport and Traffic Division, Upper Austrian Economic Chamber (representing 3,500 companies with approximately 35,000 employees)

2005–2020 Deputy Chairman of the Transport and Traffic Division of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber under Alexander Klacska (representing four sectors with approximately 250,000 jobs)

Until 2020 Member of the Austrian Economic Parliament, Transport and Traffic Division

Since 2007 Deputy Spokesperson of the Advisory Board of the Austrian Logistics Network (VNL)

2026 Inducted into the Logistics Hall of Fame

Johannes Hödlmayr is married and has three children

2026 Inducted into the Logistics Hall of Fame