4flow

What 4flow does

4flow SE is a Berlin-headquartered, founder-owned supply chain specialist founded in 2000 that operates a three-pronged business model combining consulting, proprietary software, and fourth-party logistics (4PL) managed services for large multinational clients across automotive, life sciences, consumer goods/retail, defense, and process industries. The company employs more than 1,500 people across 55+ nationalities and 20+ offices spanning Europe, the Americas, and China, and was reorganized as a Societas Europaea (4flow SE) in January 2024 to reflect its multinational footprint.

Its technology stack is anchored by the AI-native optaire platform (launched May 2026 at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo), which unifies logistics, network design, and risk management into a self-learning system with automated workflows and real-time decisioning. The software portfolio also includes the proprietary iTMS transport management system, 4flow VIA for network planning, 4flow vista for analytics, and native applications built for Kinaxis Maestro (e.g., Kinaxis Network Design by 4flow). 4flow is a certified implementation partner for both SAP (EWM, TM, IBP, S/4HANA) and Kinaxis, giving it a hybrid position as both an independent software vendor and a systems integrator.

Revenue is generated through professional services (strategy, network design, transformation), recurring software licensing (modular, annual subscriptions), managed 4PL services with outcome-based pricing, and result-oriented continuous optimization engagements. The company has held long-tenure enterprise relationships — including an 8-year 4PL partnership with Adient and a global iTMS roll-out for Bosch covering EUR 1 billion in annual transport spend — and has secured Gartner Leader status in both the inaugural 2025 Magic Quadrant for Fourth-Party Logistics and the 2026 Magic Quadrant for Specialist Supply Chain Consulting.

Name

4flow

Legal name

4flow SE

Website

https://4flow.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

4flow is a founder-owned, Berlin-headquartered supply chain specialist that provides consulting, proprietary AI-native software (optaire, iTMS, VIA, vista), and fourth-party logistics managed services to large multinational enterprises across automotive, life sciences, and consumer goods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supply Chain Management Consulting and Software

NAICS

Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services (541614), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

4PL / Lead Logistics Provider (LLP) & Control Tower (TLAIABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supply Chain Orchestration & Network Design (Multi-Carrier, Multi-Node) (TLAIABAB), Tower-by-Mode Managed Transportation (Air/Ocean/Rail/Truck Control Towers) (TLAIABAC), Exception Management, Track & Trace & Visibility Operations (SLA/KPI Governance) (TLAIABAF), Carrier Procurement, Tendering & Freight Audit/Pay (FAP) Management (TLAIABAE)

Keywords

• Supply chain consulting
• Fourth-party logistics
• Transportation management software
• Supply chain network design
• Logistics managed services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Supply Chain Consulting: Advisory services for supply chain strategy, network design, digital transformation, and implementation support across the entire supply chain lifecycle
2. Software Solutions: Transportation management system (TMS), supply chain network design software, integrated transport and material planning software, and Kinaxis applications sold as licenses and subscriptions
3. 4PL Managed Services: Fourth-party logistics services providing end-to-end supply chain orchestration, control tower operations, and continuous optimization with outcome-based pricing
4. Continuous Optimization: Result-oriented optimization services where 4flow delivers measurable cost reductions through regular optimization cycles without disrupting ongoing operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

4flow provides end-to-end supply chain solutions combining consulting services, proprietary software products, and fourth-party logistics (4PL) managed services. The company delivers supply chain strategy, network design, transportation management, and warehouse optimization through its AI-native optaire platform, iTMS transport management system, 4flow VIA planning suite, and 4flow vista analytics, complemented by certified SAP and Kinaxis implementation services. It serves global enterprise clients across automotive, life sciences, consumer goods, retail, and industrial verticals.

Product overview

4flow offers a portfolio of supply chain consulting, proprietary software products, and fourth-party logistics (4PL) managed services. The core software portfolio centers on the AI-native optaire platform for end-to-end supply chain and logistics optimization, complemented by the iTMS (integrated Transport Management System) for transportation planning and execution, 4flow VIA for supply chain network planning, and 4flow vista Analytics for business intelligence and simulation. 4flow also provides implementation services for third-party platforms — particularly SAP (EWM, TM, IBP, S/4HANA) and Kinaxis Maestro — including a Kinaxis-native application called Kinaxis Network Design by 4flow and Kinaxis TLO implementation. The consulting arm covers supply chain strategy, network design, digital transformation, and sustainability, while the 4PL managed services layer delivers ongoing supply chain orchestration and operations. The overall offering is structured as a platform-plus-services model where optaire, iTMS, VIA, and vista serve as distinct but complementary software pillars, supported by deep consulting and managed services capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• optaire by 4flow A modular AI-native platform for end-to-end supply chain and logistics optimization that unifies logistics, network, and risk management into a self-learning system enabling real-time decision-making and automated workflows. Targeted at enterprise supply chain teams seeking AI-driven optimization.
• iTMS (4flow integrated Transport Management System) An integrated transport management system enabling end-to-end planning, optimization, and execution of global transportation operations, including freight cost optimization, route planning, carrier management, and real-time tracking. Used by enterprise customers including Bosch (managing 1 billion EUR annual transport spend) and Adient.
• 4flow Supply Chain Network Design Software Software for designing, analyzing, and optimizing supply chain network configurations, enabling organizations to model distribution networks, evaluate facility locations, and simulate network changes for cost and service-level improvements.
• 4flow VIA Supply Chain Planning Suite A software suite for agile supply chain network planning, enabling supply chain visualization, analysis, and optimization with scenario modeling and strategic network design decisions.
• 4flow vista Analytics A connected business intelligence solution providing real-time visibility and data-driven decision-making across supply chain networks, with dashboarding, simulation tools, and scenario analysis for freight purchasing and network optimization.
• Kinaxis Network Design by 4flow A network design and analysis application built for the Kinaxis Maestro platform, providing supply chain network analysis and optimization capabilities directly within the Maestro environment. Announced February 2025.
• Supply Chain Consulting End-to-end supply chain consulting services including supply chain strategy, network design, digital strategy and transformation, sustainability, supply chain management, warehouse and production optimization, transport, and fulfillment and distribution. Sold to enterprise clients directly.
• 4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics) Services Managed supply chain services including supply chain orchestration, 4PL operations, and data solutions delivered through outcome-based contracts. 4flow was recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Fourth-Party Logistics.
• SAP Services Certified SAP partner providing implementation and consulting services across the SAP digital supply chain portfolio, including SAP EWM (Extended Warehouse Management), SAP TM (Transportation Management), SAP IBP (Integrated Business Planning), and SAP S/4HANA transformations. Spans from strategy through implementation to go-live support.
• Kinaxis Maestro Implementation Services Certified Kinaxis partner providing implementation services for Kinaxis Maestro, including rapid deployment of supply chain planning capabilities, the Kinaxis Network Design by 4flow application, and Kinaxis Transportation Load Optimizer (TLO) implementation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20%+ cost reduction in supply chain operations
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability14 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• KinaxiscoreTechnology or Integration · 4 February 2025Strategic technology partnership for Kinaxis Maestro platform implementation and Kinaxis Transportation Load Optimizer (TLO). 4flow serves as certified implementation partner developing applications including Kinaxis Network Design by 4flow for network analysis and optimization.
• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified SAP partner for supply chain software implementation including SAP EWM, TM, IBP, and S/4HANA. 4flow provides technology implementation services and SAP digital supply chain solutions.
• MicrosoftsupportingTechnology or IntegrationUses Microsoft Teams for video conferencing, Microsoft Bookings for online appointment scheduling, and Microsoft services for HR and productivity tools.
• HubSpotsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCRM and marketing automation platform for customer relationship management, lead tracking, and marketing communications including Guideflow product demos.
• GooglesupportingTechnology or IntegrationUses Google Analytics for web analytics, Google Tag Manager for tag management, and YouTube for video content integration.
• LinkedInsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLinkedIn Insight Tag for conversion tracking and retargeting, LinkedIn lead generation, and company page for professional content distribution.
• Meta (Facebook)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFacebook page presence (4flowglobalcareers) for employer branding and company content distribution.
• GuideflowsupportingTechnology or IntegrationInteractive demo platform for product demonstrations and lead generation through embedded HubSpot forms.
• SchaefflerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner4flow CEO presented VDA Logistics Award to Schaeffler for their 'Touchless Material Flow' initiative. 4flow serves as partner for logistics transformation projects.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• XPO Logistics: LTL freight and dedicated transportation provider expanding into tech-enabled managed transportation. Comparable as an enterprise-focused, technology-led transportation and logistics services competitor.
• GXO Logistics: Pure-play contract logistics and warehousing specialist serving large enterprise customers in automotive, consumer, and life sciences — directly overlapping 4flow's primary verticals and tech-enabled managed-services positioning.
• Coyote Logistics: US-focused managed transportation and freight brokerage provider (UPS-owned). Comparable to 4flow's 4PL/managed transportation services in serving enterprise shippers with technology-enabled carrier sourcing and execution.
• Kinaxis: Supply chain planning software vendor (Maestro platform) whose partner 4flow helps implement. Comparable as an SCM software provider addressing similar enterprise customers and overlapping in transportation load optimization and network design.
• Blue Yonder: AI-driven end-to-end supply chain planning and execution software platform. Comparable to 4flow's optaire platform in targeting digital transformation of planning, transportation, and warehouse orchestration for large enterprises.

Broad incumbents

• Deloitte (Supply Chain & Network Operations): Big Four consulting firm with a large Supply Chain & Network Operations practice. Comparable to 4flow's consulting business and competes for the same Gartner-ranked supply chain strategy consulting work.
• Accenture (Supply Chain & Operations): Global management consulting and technology services giant with a major Supply Chain & Operations practice. Closely comparable to 4flow's consulting arm and competes for the same Gartner MQ for Supply Chain Consulting leadership.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Top-3 global freight forwarder and contract logistics provider with significant 4PL and supply chain orchestration capabilities. Comparable as a global logistics services competitor with technology-enabled managed transportation offerings.
• DHL Supply Chain: Global contract logistics leader and 3PL/4PL operator within Deutsche Post DHL Group. Directly comparable as a multinational supply chain services provider competing for enterprise 4PL and managed-transport mandates.

Emerging players

• o9 Solutions: AI-native integrated business planning platform for supply chain, demand, and integrated business planning. Comparable to optaire in offering an AI-first, unified planning and decision-making platform aimed at large enterprises.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.de/4flowglobalcareers/?locale=de_DE
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/4flow
• Instagraminstagram.de/4flow_life/?hl=de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 4flow