As part of our ongoing interviews with our members from around the world, World Freight Network (WFN) spoke with Manuela Eftimie of VDM Rental, Romania. Manuela shared insights into how she entered the industry and came to found VDM, the main strengths of the company, and what challenges independent forwarders will be facing in 2025 and beyond.
How did you start your career in freight forwarding?
‘I could start the story with: There was once a dream of a girl who graduated from the Faculty of Hydrotechnical Constructions and wanted to be financially and professionally independent. At the time of graduating from the Faculty, it seemed just a dream, considering that it was happening during the communist era in Romania. However, the dream became reality a little later, after I worked in a state-owned company and then in various private companies in fields such as construction, import-export and, finally, freight transport.
The last field was defining for me, I fell in love with its dynamism, creativity, and precision right away. In 2005, I decided that the time had come to be more than a very good employee and then the path of my personal development had a different trajectory. In partnership with a friend, I founded a transport company which, although very successful at the beginning, unfortunately did not survive a misunderstanding between the two of us and the global crisis that followed. I learned a lot from this experience and now I can only thank the universe for it. In 2012, I founded VDM Rental, the forwarding company where I still work today and with which I want to bring added value to the transportation market.’
What are your company’s main strengths?
‘VDM Rental, an international freight forwarding company based in Romania, has several key strengths that contribute to its success in the logistics and transportation industry. These strengths include:
Experience and Expertise: With over 15 years of successfully completed projects, VDM Rental has developed extensive expertise in freight forwarding, particularly in handling complex logistics for industries like pharmaceuticals, oil, and automotive. This experience allows us to offer tailored, efficient, and innovative transport solutions.
Trust and Transparency: The company emphasizes building long-term relationships with clients and transport providers based on trust and transparency. This approach fosters reliability and stability, ensuring consistent service quality and client satisfaction.
Customized and Efficient Solutions: VDM Rental focuses on optimizing transport processes by identifying the fastest and most suitable methods for each project. We provide integrated services across the entire supply chain, transforming logistical challenges into competitive advantages. Our ability to offer consolidation and deconsolidation services for smaller shipments helps clients, especially small to medium-sized firms, optimize costs.
Diverse Transport Capabilities: The company supports multiple transport modes, including road, maritime, air, and rail, with a particular emphasis on road transport. We also own a modern fleet, including Ford Transit E350 sprinters for express transport of up to 1.5 tons, ensuring fast and reliable deliveries across Romania, and trucks with containers chassis.
Client-Centric Approach: The company prioritizes client needs, offering 24/7 support, real-time tracking, and personalized solutions.’
What are the main challenges facing independent freight forwarders in 2025?
‘In my opinion independent freight forwarders in 2025 face a complex landscape of challenges that require adaptability, investment, and strategic planning to remain competitive. While companies like VDM Rental leverage strengths such as expertise, customized solutions, and sustainability, independent freight forwarders, particularly smaller and medium-sized enterprises, encounter unique hurdles due to their scale and resource limitations.
The main challenges facing independent freight forwarders in 2025 are:
Economic Uncertainty and Rising Costs: Global economic fluctuations, including inflation, rising fuel costs, and increased operational expenses, continue to pressure freight forwarders. In 2025, economic uncertainty is compounded by modest global container volume growth (3-4%) against a significant increase in ocean fleet capacity (7.8%), leading to potential freight rate drops and heightened competition. Independent forwarders, without the financial buffers of larger firms, struggle to absorb rising costs or compete on price, especially when negotiating rates with carriers or managing customer expectations.
Digitalization and Technology Adoption: Independent freight forwarders often struggle to integrate these technologies due to high investment costs, legacy systems, and resistance to change. Without digital tools, forwarders face inefficiencies, delays in payments, and reduced transparency, making it harder to meet client expectations for real-time tracking and instant pricing.’
What are your predictions for the future of the industry?
‘The transport industry, particularly freight forwarding and logistics, is poised for significant transformation in the future, driven by technological advancements, sustainability pressures, and shifting global dynamics. AI-driven predictive analytics will optimize route planning, demand forecasting, and pricing, enabling forwarders to offer dynamic rates and reduce costs. Smart contracts will automate payments and ensure transparent, tamper-proof documentation, reducing disputes and speeding up cross-border transactions. The transport industry will be defined by digitalization, sustainability, and resilience, with independent freight forwarders facing both opportunities and challenges.’
To learn more about VDM Rental, visit www.vdmrental.com
If interested in joining WFN, please complete the Application Form.