pfenning group takes over Spedition Gräfen
Acquisition strengthens transport network, especially in general cargo expertise
The pfenning Group is expanding its service portfolio through the strategic acquisition of the freight forwarding company Gräfen Logistik GmbH. The merger, involving an 80 percent stake, was completed on March 6, 2023. This step secures market access for the pfenning Group to a Europe-wide general cargo network, creating synergies for current and future contract logistics business.
Heddesheim/Nerdlen, June 6, 2023 – Through this strategic acquisition, pfenning logistics is diversifying its services and expanding into new target industries. The merger with Gräfen Logistik GmbH, based in Nerdlen in the Vulkaneifel region, took effect on March 6, 2023. The logistics service provider specializes in long-distance transport, general cargo, refrigerated logistics, consignment warehouses, and brand distribution, and employs around 220 people. Under the management of Hans-Josef Gräfen, representing the second generation of ownership, the company – founded in 1946 – has built up strong expertise in two-man handling, general cargo, and foodservice, which are to be further expanded in the future.
In their future collaboration, both companies aim to pool their competencies and further develop existing business areas. “We complement each other very well, especially due to our shared focus on nurturing young talent from within. Gräfen Logistik is one of the leading training companies in the Vulkaneifel, with an average of 20 trainees per year. This is a proven way to combat the future shortage of skilled workers,” emphasizes Rana Matthias Nag, CEO of the pfenning Group.
Hans-Josef Gräfen highlights the positive commonalities between the two companies: “As a family-owned business with flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths, we’ve found a partner in the pfenning Group who operates at eye level and shares our core values.”
“With this acquisition, the pfenning Group gains access to a nationwide and Europe-wide general cargo network. In combination with contract logistics, this opens up further business opportunities in various industries,” adds Rana Matthias Nag.
As part of its growth strategy, the pfenning Group has already acquired six other companies since 2021, strengthening its service portfolio in the areas of e-commerce & fulfillment, mobility solutions, fresh logistics, personnel services, and co-packing/display construction.
The pfenning Group now employs 6,900 people across Europe.
About the pfenning Group:
The pfenning Group is a medium-sized contract logistics service provider with a full-service supply chain offering based in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region of Germany. Family-run in its third and fourth generation, the company boasts 90 years of logistics experience and employs 6,900 people across 110 locations in Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Sweden. With a fleet of 1,000 trucks and a total warehouse space of 750,000 m², the company is a strong logistics backbone for its clients. In the “Top 100 Logistics” study, it ranks 55th out of 60,000 logistics providers in Germany. As of May 2023, it holds 18th place in “Die Deutsche Wirtschaft’s” ranking of 10,000 German mid-sized companies generating up to €1 billion in total revenue.
Headquartered in Heddesheim, the group has continuously expanded its product portfolio. State-of-the-art warehousing and transport solutions are complemented by a wide range of value-added services – from industrial security and metal construction to real estate development. In nationwide retail supply, the pfenning Group is one of the leading service providers in Germany. Other industries also rely on the expertise from Heddesheim: Special logistics centers have been built and commissioned for the chemical, automotive, FMCG, food, and pharmaceutical industries. The company has also acquired additional expertise through strategic acquisitions in fashion logistics and e-commerce for consumer and medical technology goods. The solutions provided ensure stable supply chain cycles, excellent value for money, and pave the way for market success.
Five decades of experience form the foundation for pioneering real estate projects. With the multicube rhein-neckar, pfenning logistics launched an innovative, award-winning multi-user concept in 2012 that offers space for individual usage and sustainability. This success story has continued since 2018 with the multicube rheinhessen. Both logistics centers are among Europe’s top 10 DGNB Platinum-certified industrial buildings. Since 2022, pfenning logistics has been developing up to 300,000 m² of qualified warehouse space across Germany and Europe based on this model.
For short-term needs, pfenning logistics offers the nationwide “WAREhouses+” logistics service concept. Nearly 400,000 m² of space is available at several German locations, including major transport hubs like Karlsruhe, Düsseldorf, and Rhein-Main. The spaces are operated by pfenning logistics. The concept is aimed at a wide range of industries such as retail, chemicals, and automotive, all benefiting from specialized logistics services and value-added offerings.
The pfenning Group’s corporate philosophy is built on responsibility, reliability, and trust. These values guide the team in daily operations. The focus is on transparency, openness, and honesty – enabling the development of efficient, flexible, and pragmatic solutions. The company’s steady growth is driven by qualified and experienced managers who apply their expertise in key positions every day.
For more information, please contact Yeliz Kavak-Küstner.
www.pfenning-logistics.com
www.multicube.org
www.lkw-logenplatz.de
