STAR Rotarian Stefan Schmitz: Destined to be in the Philippines and in Logistics

Born and raised in Germany, STAR Rotarian Stefan Schmitz is destined to live in the Philippines and play an important role in the country’s economic stage. There had been many other occasions at various junctures in his life that made him realize he is meant to be living in the “Pearl of the Orient Seas” and offering logistics solutions.

From wearing his favorite “Camping/ Caravanning Filipinas” shirt in his childhood days, he did not imagine that later on in his life, he will wear a military uniform and give military honors to then President Corazon Aquino. He has now been in the Philippines for over two decades and is embracing every moment of it.

In this interview, STAR Rtn. Stefan shares his amazing journey and how he ended up establishing his own logistics company in the Philippines. Read more about his story and the path he took to get to where he is today.

Rhea Vitto Tabora (RVT): Please share something about yourself that your fellow Rotarians might not readily know.

Stefan Schmitz (SS): There were a lot of indicatives early on in my life that I would end up in the Philippines and in the logistics industry.

But, let’s start with my professional path. I graduated high school at the age of 15 and in 1985, at barely 16, I started an apprenticeship in freight forwarding – better known today as logistics. I finished my apprenticeship after two and a half years, and then joined the Army in 1988 for 15 months. I was part of the team that gave military honors given to former Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino.

There were many more occasions that led me later to believe that staying long in the Philippines was no accident.

RVT: What was the path you took to get to where you are today?

SS: Throughout my life, I was adventurous. I was never big in academic terms or formal education. It was more of “learning by doing” approach by visiting the School of Life. I was blessed by many mentors along my journey. I left Germany in 1992 at the age of 22. Indonesia was the first host country for my working abroad venture. Equipped with a plan and contract to stay for a year, I ended up working in Indonesia for almost six years. I formed many friendships during that time and keep them until today. With the fall of the Suharto regime in Indonesia combined with the Asian crisis, I received an offer to work in the Philippines. I arrived here in early 1998, and I have been here since – 24 years in total. During those 24 years, I worked for Aboitiz Transport System and stayed with them until 2013 (after it changed hands from Aboitiz family to Negros Navigation). In 2013, I started Antrak Philippines as a shareholder. In 2020, I became the President-Elect of the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I was one of its first members when it was incorporated. It was not an easy time with the ongoing pandemic and the challenges it presented. But, we were able to switch to online meetings and services in a relatively short time. It broadened my horizon with a look behind the scenes of trade – the bilateral issues, politics and diplomacy, among other things. I am thankful for the opportunity – even though I wished it would have happened in different time. But as they say, if it would be easy, everybody would (and could) do it.

RVT: What types of services does Antrak Philippines Transport Solutions Corporation provide?

SS: Antrak provides specialized logistics solutions. We specialize in tailor-made solutions for large and heavy cargo that need to go to remote areas. In our nine years of existence, we have catered to the power industry (power plants and sub-stations), mining industry, infrastructure industry, telecoms as well as oil and gas sectors. As part of our mission to deliver quality services, we do education in the form of seminars, customer events and consultation in customs rules, classification as well as other relevant topics in international trade (incoterms or international commercial terms).

RVT: What experiences do you feel shaped you the most?

SS: The most – I do not know. But, to name a few – when I miserably failed a contract, I offered to resign, yet the company believed in me, stood by me and asked me to stay. And we were able to have record years after that incident, a true phoenix-from-the-ashes moment. Another one was having kids. How having kids is all bundled up in one is still beyond me; bundled up in one as in joy, stress, pain, pride, laughter, tears, and fear altogether. The list of emotions is endless. But, I wouldn’t be the same me without them, and I wouldn’t be complete.

RVT: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

SS: Apart from the obvious like winning a customer, a contract or tender, it is when you make other people succeed. When you sow a seed and it helps grow a person to become more successful than one can ever imagine – being part of that journey is more satisfying than winning any contract.

RVT: Name a business leader whom you look up to, and why?

SS: Over the years, there are too many to mention. Business is evolving and so are its leaders, failures and successes. Lately, I have been following a lot of Simon Sinek.

RVT: If you were not an entrepreneur, what career would you like to explore?

SS: I have been asked this question many times. I guess I am one of the few who says “I’d do it all over again.” Little would I change – maybe get married earlier and have kids earlier. But, other than that, I would not change anything else. I love logistics, the moment I chose it was good as I was mature enough.

RVT: What are your interests and hobbies? What do you do when you are not at work?

SS: Pre-pandemic, traveling was a big passion. But the coronavirus made it a bit challenging to plan – so nowadays, we create holidays at home or nearby Metro Manila.

Other than that, I am a HUGE football fan. My love is my home Football Club Fortuna Duesseldorf and whenever in Germany, I would visit the Stadium and watch them live – home or away. Also, cooking is how I de-stress. Give me a knife or a peeler and I can totally forget everything else and focus on chopping onions or peeling potatoes.

RVT: As a STAR Rotarian, how would you describe your experience with the Club so far?

SS: I am a traditionalist. So being invited and accepted into RCM was a BIG deal for me. I enjoy the meetings albeit only on Zoom and look forward to better times when face-to-face meetings are possible again.

RVT: What ignited your interest in joining the Rotary Club of Manila?

SS: Dr. Guenther “Gunter” Matschuck approached me and told me about the rich history of the club, and he invited me to become a part of what he likes to describe as the German “contingent” in the club – many of whom I have known as well for many years. Guenther didn’t really sell it very hard to me. So, I would like to thank Guenther again for inviting me, and for his moving introduction during my acceptance to the Club.