Smartway Logistics

What Smartway Logistics does

SmartWay Logistics is a European fourth-party logistics (4PL) provider founded in 2008 as the asset-neutral 4PL brand of Dutch transport operator Van der Wal (established 1924). Headquartered in Utrecht, the company runs a centralized control tower that manages over 635,000 shipments and 350,000+ planned orders annually for enterprise shippers, with operations in the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Romania via its parent. Its service portfolio spans six integrated pillars: Carrier Management (selection, analytics, claim handling and tendering), Supply Chain Optimization (analytics and multi-party trustee projects), a cloud-based Slot Booking System with modular add-ons (Customs, Health & Safety, Monitoring & Reporting, Track & Trace, and SmartLink), Freight Audit & Payment including the SmartPay self-billing product, Freight Management (operational and tactical planning plus carrier allocation), and SmartWay Analytics on Power BI.

The underlying technology stack combines a TMS built on 3Gtms with API/EDI integrations into customer ERP, WMS and carrier systems, freight management tooling, and Power BI/Tableau business intelligence dashboards. A distinguishing technical asset is a tactical planning module configurable with 244 parameters for routing and cross-docking, supported by a 3,000+ carrier database (~270 active weekly). Three Lean & Green sustainability stars and CSRD-aligned CO2 reporting functionality underpin a sustainability-led positioning versus generic 4PL competitors.

SmartWay monetizes through four revenue streams: (1) managed-service fees for running the 4PL control tower on behalf of shippers, (2) tiered SaaS subscriptions (Express / Professional / Enterprise) for the Slot Booking System and add-on modules billed monthly, (3) transaction and freight-audit fees for invoice consolidation and the SmartPay self-billing service, and (4) professional consulting and advisory fees for logistics optimization. GTM is exclusively enterprise direct sales — account managers and supply chain experts consult with large shippers via phone, website forms and demos — supported by a SmartTalk content hub and industry-event participation. Key named enterprise customers include Helly Hansen (14+ year anchor client), CHEP, and Kimberly-Clark. The firm is a private subsidiary of Van der Wal; no external funding rounds or M&A activity are disclosed.

Name

Smartway Logistics

Legal name

SmartWay Logistics

Website

https://smartwaylogistics.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SmartWay Logistics is a European 4PL control-tower provider managing over 635,000 shipments annually for enterprise shippers. Founded in 2008 as a Van der Wal subsidiary, it delivers carrier management, freight execution, slot-booking SaaS, and freight-audit services focused on sustainable logistics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer/Outbound Logistics Management (OTIF, Appointment Scheduling) (TLAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supplier/Inbound Logistics Management (Vendor Management, In-Plant Logistics) (TLAIABAK), Real-Time Operational Visibility & Exception Management (TLAEAKAC), Managed Transportation Services (MTS) / Outsourced TMS Operations (TLAIAEAB), Supply Chain & Warehouse Automation (Smart Logistics) (IMAIAMAJ)

Keywords

• Fourth-party logistics
• Carrier management services
• Freight audit payment
• Supply chain optimization
• Transport control tower

Headquarters

HQ city

Flushing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 4PL Control Tower Management Fees: Ongoing fees for comprehensive logistics management services including carrier management, freight planning, operational coordination, and strategic supply chain optimization. Services provided as an integrated control tower function on behalf of shippers.
2. SmartWay Slot Booking SaaS Subscription: Subscription-based software-as-a-service for slot booking functionality. Offered in Express, Professional, and Enterprise editions with varying features and customization levels. Cloud-based delivery with no local installation required.
3. Freight Audit & Payment Services: Fees for freight auditing, invoice consolidation, and payment processing services. Acts as intermediary between shippers and carriers, consolidating payments and providing financial dashboards for cost visibility.
4. Consulting & Advisory Services: Professional consulting fees for logistics optimization advisory, carrier management strategy development, supply chain analytics, and implementation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Smartway Logistics operates as a fourth-party logistics (4PL) control tower provider, managing complete transport operations for enterprise shippers across Europe. The company offers carrier management, freight planning and execution, a cloud-based slot booking system, freight audit and payment, supply chain optimization, and analytics services. It processes over 635,000 shipments annually through a centralized cloud platform integrating TMS, ERP, WMS, customs, and carrier systems via APIs and EDIs.

Product overview

SmartWay Logistics is a fourth-party logistics (4PL) provider operating a centralized control tower model, founded in 2008 as part of Van der Wal. The company offers a portfolio of six integrated service pillars: Carrier Management (encompassing Carrier Selection, Carrier Analytics, Claim Handling, and Transport Tendering), Supply Chain Optimization (including Supply Chain Analytics and Trustee & Collaborative Projects), the SmartWay Slot Booking System (a cloud-based SaaS platform with add-on modules for Health & Safety, Monitoring & Reporting, Track & Trace, Customs, and SmartLink), Freight Audit & Payment (encompassing Freight Settlement via SmartPay), Freight Management (spanning Operational Planning, Tactical Planning, and Carrier Allocation), and SmartWay Analytics (a Power BI-based business intelligence platform). The company also maintains a SmartTalk Knowledge Base for logistics guidance. SmartWay's TMS is built around 3G TMS and integrates via APIs/EDIs with ERP, WMS, and carrier systems, processing over 635,000 shipments annually across Europe with a database of over 3,000 carriers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Carrier Management

Quantifiable outcome

• 635,000+ shipments handled annually across Europe
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered notable.

• CHEPnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHEP, a pallet pooling company, partnered with SmartWay Logistics and Kimberly-Clark on a collaborative project to reduce empty running and CO2 emissions through logistics optimization. This cross-company initiative demonstrates SmartWay's ability to facilitate collaborative supply chain improvements between complementary businesses.
• Kimberly-ClarknotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerKimberly-Clark collaborated with SmartWay Logistics and CHEP on a sustainability-focused logistics project to reduce empty running and CO2 emissions. The partnership leverages SmartWay's neutral 4PL position to coordinate improvements across multiple supply chains.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Transplace (Uber Freight): Uber Freight's Transplace division is a leading North American 4PL/managed transportation provider offering control tower, carrier management, and transportation optimization services to enterprise shippers. Directly comparable to SmartWay in asset-neutral 4PL positioning, TMS-driven planning, and freight audit/payment offerings, though at much larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Descartes Systems Group: Descartes is a global logistics technology incumbent providing TMS, visibility, routing, and customs solutions to shippers, carriers, and 3PLs. Comparable to SmartWay's control tower analytics and customs module, but operates as a broad SaaS portfolio rather than a focused 4PL service provider.
• MercuryGate (now part of E2open): MercuryGate, now part of E2open, is a leading TMS platform serving shippers, 3PLs, and brokers with multi-modal planning capabilities. Directly relevant given SmartWay's reliance on 3Gtms for TMS and MercuryGate's overlapping 4PL/managed transport functionality through the E2open supply chain platform.
• Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software): Blue Yonder offers supply chain planning and execution software including TMS, warehouse management, and end-to-end logistics orchestration. Comparable to SmartWay's broader control tower capabilities but at much larger enterprise scale with global multi-modal coverage.
• Imperial Logistics: Imperial Logistics is a major African-headquartered 3PL/4PL provider offering managed transport, warehousing, and supply chain solutions across multiple continents. Comparable in 4PL control tower services and multi-country execution, though with broader geographic reach including Africa and Europe.

Regional players

• Eurotranspharma: Eurotranspharma is a European temperature-controlled pharmaceutical logistics specialist offering managed transport and 4PL-style coordination across multiple European countries. Comparable to SmartWay's European multi-country 4PL model, but focused on pharma cold chain rather than general industrial freight.
• Time:matters: Time:matters is a European specialist in time-critical, high-value, and spare parts logistics with managed transport and courier network services. Comparable as a European 4PL with control tower capabilities, though focused on speed-sensitive rather than sustainable industrial freight.

Emerging players

• Flexport: Flexport is a digital freight forwarder that has expanded into broader supply chain management and 4PL-style services for global shippers. Comparable to SmartWay in providing technology-enabled logistics orchestration, but with a stronger emphasis on international ocean/air forwarding rather than European road transport.
• project44: project44 is a supply chain visibility platform providing real-time tracking, ocean and road visibility, and carrier connectivity APIs. Comparable to SmartWay's Track & Trace and analytics modules, but focused on pure visibility SaaS rather than full managed 4PL services.
• FourKites: FourKites is a supply chain visibility and orchestration platform offering real-time shipment tracking, predictive ETAs, and yard management. Comparable to SmartWay Analytics and Track & Trace modules, but as a pure SaaS visibility vendor rather than a full control tower 4PL.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SmartWay4PL

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Smartway Logistics