Zapf Umzüge AG

What Zapf Umzüge AG does

Zapf Umzüge AG (trading as "zapf umzüge," formerly Klaus E.H. Zapf GmbH) is a Berlin-headquartered German moving and logistics company founded in 1975. It provides full-service relocation for private individuals and corporate/public-sector clients — including local, long-distance (Germany and Europe), and overseas moves, plus specialized services such as piano transport, senior moves, shared-container "Beiladung," packing, furniture and kitchen assembly, electrical installation, and painting/cleaning. Adjacent to moving, it operates a substantial storage business (removal storage, commercial/file archiving, service storage, and automated self-storage under the "zapf SELFSTORAGE" brand) and sells moving materials through an e-commerce shop (shop.zapf.de) and physical retail in Berlin and Freiburg. The group reports 600+ employees and serves more than 60,000 customers per year.

The business is organized as a franchise system (since 2000), with the Berlin master-craftsman operation (Meisterbetrieb) as headquarters and Freiburg (operated by wholly owned Zett Umzüge GmbH) as a regional hub, plus partner locations in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, Mannheim, and Krefeld. Underlying operations combine physical relocation infrastructure — workshops, carpentry, vehicle fleet, high-bay and self-storage warehouses (~100,000 m² of storage capacity built up historically), and a training center — with supporting digital and operational tools: SAP-based warehouse/process control, RFID tracking of swap containers, CAD-based furniture planning for corporate moves, online quote requests and a box calculator, and virtual video-stream consultations. Proprietary elements include the reusable ÖKOBOX (usable up to 1,000 times) and MirrorCam sensor-optical truck safety systems.

Revenue is generated through three main streams: project-based moving services (quoted individually after an on-site or virtual survey, with no public price list), separately negotiated storage/warehousing contracts, and one-off material sales (with a €7.50 flat delivery fee within Berlin). Go-to-market is predominantly sales-led via free, no-obligation consultant home visits (or virtual walk-throughs) that convert into binding quotes within one business day, complemented by direct online price inquiries, the material e-commerce storefront, and the franchise partner network. The company is a privately held Aktiengesellschaft (not exchange-listed), led by board members Annkathrin Herwig and Sven Reinholz following the 2014 death of founder Klaus E.H. Zapf.

Name

Zapf Umzüge AG

Legal name

zapf umzüge AG

Website

https://zapf.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Berlin-based German moving and logistics company (founded 1975) offering full-service residential, corporate, and overseas relocations plus storage, self-storage, and moving-material sales, delivered through a nationwide franchise network serving 60,000+ customers annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Moving and Relocation Services

NAICS

Used Household and Office Goods Moving (48421), Used Household and Office Goods Moving (484210), General Warehousing and Storage (493110)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Large Corporate HQ Relocations (HSAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Move Management (Office Relocations) (BPABAFAC), Corporate Relocation Management (RMCs) (THACALAA), Interstate Small Moves & Partial Loads (Consolidated/Shared Truckload) (HSAKABAE), Waste, Recycling & Bulk Disposal Appointment Coordination (HSAKAOAJ)

Keywords

• Moving services
• Corporate relocation
• Self-storage solutions
• Packing services
• Overseas shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Relocation/Moving Services: Core revenue stream from full-service moving for private and corporate clients, including local moves, long-distance moves, overseas moves, piano transport, senior moves, and corporate relocations. Services include packing, assembly, temporary storage, and disposal. Revenue is project-based, calculated individually per move based on volume, distance, and services selected.
2. Storage and Warehousing Services: Storage revenue from multiple formats: temporary storage (days to 6 weeks), long-term storage (on-call basis), service storage (zapf-managed from 5 cubic meters minimum), self-storage (automated, 24/7 access), commercial storage (file management, warehouse logistics, inventory storage). Storage contracts are separately negotiated.
3. Material Sales (Umzugsmaterial): Online and in-person sales of moving supplies including cardboard boxes, book boxes, clothing boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, picture corners, glass sleeves, moving blankets, mattress covers, stretch film, binding straps, hand trucks, and furniture dollies. Sold via materialshop.zapf.de and physical locations in Berlin (Nobelstraße 66) and Freiburg.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Zapf Umzüge AG provides full-service moving and relocation services for private individuals and corporate clients, including local, long-distance, and overseas moves, packing, furniture assembly/disassembly, piano transport, senior moves, and corporate relocations. The company complements its moving services with temporary, long-term, self-storage, and commercial storage solutions, plus an online and in-store material shop for moving supplies. Operations are delivered through a franchise network coordinated from the Berlin headquarters, with personalized on-site or virtual consultations forming the basis of quote-based pricing.

Product overview

Zapf Umzüge AG operates as a comprehensive moving and logistics company offering a portfolio of integrated services for private and business customers. The core offering consists of moving services (local, long-distance, and overseas) complemented by storage solutions (removal storage, commercial storage, and self-storage), professional packing and assembly services, and a material shop for moving supplies. Additional specialized services include piano transport, motorcycle storage, painting/cleaning services, and virtual consultation tools. The company is organized as a franchise system with locations in Berlin (headquarters), Freiburg, and other cities, providing nationwide and international moving services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• zapf SELFSTORAGE: Self-storage facilities offering flexible storage solutions for private individuals and businesses, accessible 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.
• zapf-Motostorage

Products and services

• Moving Services (Umzug) Full-service moving for private and business customers including local moves (Nahumzug), long-distance moves (Fernumzug), and overseas relocations, with consultation, packing, assembly, and installation.
• Business/Corporate Relocation (Unternehmensumzug) Comprehensive business moving services including office relocations, file management, staff moves (worldwide), in-house services, and inventory storage with project management to minimize downtime.
• Overseas Moving (Übersee) International relocation services including LCL, FCL, RoRo, and air cargo transport with customs clearance support, insurance, and partner network worldwide.
• Piano & Grand Piano Transport (Klavier & Flügel) Specialized transport service for pianos and grand pianos with experienced carriers handling delicate instruments and placement in any story.
• Senior Moving Services (Seniorenumzüge) Specialized moving services tailored for elderly customers requiring additional care and assistance during relocation.
• Shared Container (Beiladung) Cost-effective shipping option for smaller loads combined with other shipments, allowing customers to share container space and reduce costs.
• Removal Storage (Umzugslagerungen) Temporary storage from a few days up to 6 weeks, and long-term storage for unlimited time with pickup, warehousing, and delivery services.
• Commercial/Business Storage (Gewerbelagerung) Business storage solutions including file archiving, warehouse logistics/picking, and inventory storage with documentation and disposal services.
• Service Storage (Servicelager) Storage service where zapf handles packing and storage for customers, starting from 5 cubic meters — alternative to self-storage with staff-managed handling.
• Zapf Self-Storage Self-storage warehouses offering flexible storage with customizable units, accessible 365 days/year and 24 hours/day, with seven locations in Southern Baden covering 6,000+ m² and approximately 800 compartments.
• Packing Service (Packservice) Professional packing services including glass/porcelain packing, picture/sculpture protection, systematic packing/unpacking, and full service packing.
• Assembly Service (Montageservice) Furniture assembly/disassembly, kitchen assembly, small-item assembly, appliance connections (washing machine, sink, stove), and modification/customization services.
• Painting and Cleaning Service (Maler- & Reinigungsservice) Professional painting and cleaning services ranging from basic broom clean to thorough cleaning, and touched-up to complete repainting.
• Material Shop (Umzugsmaterial) Online and in-store shop for moving supplies including moving boxes, book boxes, clothing boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, picture corners, glass sleeves, moving blankets, mattress covers, stretch film, straps, hand trucks, and furniture dollies.
• MotoStorage (Motorrad Einlagerung) Motorcycle storage service at the Berlin location with secure lashing in specially developed boxes and additional equipment storage options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 62% unaided brand awareness in Berlin (representative survey, 1990)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bundesverband Möbelspedition und Logistik (AMÖ) e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerzapf umzüge is an active member of the Bundesverband Möbelspedition und Logistik (AMÖ), Germany's federal association for furniture forwarding and logistics. This membership is held at multiple locations (Berlin and Krefeld). Through AMÖ, zapf participates in the official dispute resolution body 'Schlichtungsstelle Umzug' for consumer arbitration.
• FAMÖ – Fachvereinigung Möbelspedition, Umzugslogistik und Relocation Hamburg e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerzapf umzüge Hamburg location is associated with FAMÖ, the Hamburg-specific specialization association for furniture moving, relocation logistics, and corporate relocation. Supports local industry networking and standards.
• Verband Verkehr und Logistik Berlin und Brandenburg e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerzapf umzüge Berlin location is a member of the regional transport and logistics association for Berlin and Brandenburg, supporting industry advocacy and networking.
• Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbHminorGTM or Marketing Partnerzapf umzüge cooperates with Tagesspiegel newspaper for media partnerships and promotional campaigns. The Tagesspiegel was also the source of the original company logo (blue globe, originally borrowed from the newspaper). Historical cooperation expanded through third-party advertising on containers and vans.
• Tip Berlin Media Group GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with TIP Berlin city magazine for media cooperation and advertising. Also referenced as a premium fulfillment partner for customer loyalty programs (serving as a media partner for promotions).
• Creditreform Berlin Brandenburg Wolfram GmbH & Co KGminorOthersCreditreform partnership for credit checks during contract conclusion with payment terms. zapf transmits customer names and contact details to Creditreform Frankfurt (Oder) for creditworthiness verification, based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR for legitimate interest.
• Creditreform Boniversum GmbHminorOthersAdditional credit check partnership for creditworthiness verification during contract conclusion and for existing customers where legitimate interest applies. Located in Neuss, Germany.
• Overseas Partner Moving CompaniesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelected partner moving companies in destination countries assist customers with customs clearance and tracking to final destination. zapf's overseas network covers moves to the USA, Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, China, India, Malaysia, Arab States), Australia, Africa (Tanzania, Botswana), Caribbean, Oceania, South America (Chile), and Canada.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AMOS Umzüge: AMOS is a German full-service moving company offering local, long-distance, and corporate relocations plus storage — directly comparable to zapf in service portfolio, customer mix, and German market footprint.
• Bresser Umzüge: Bresser is a long-established German moving and relocation company with national coverage, corporate client base, and storage services — closely matching zapf's mid-sized national operator positioning.
• Vogel Umzüge & Logistik: Vogel offers full-service moving, corporate relocation, and storage in Germany with multiple branches, operating with a similar integrated service model to zapf's franchise structure.
• Augustiner Umzüge: Augustiner is a German moving firm combining residential, commercial, and international moves with self-storage — a comparable integrated moving-and-storage specialist in zapf's competitive set.

Broad incumbents

• SIRVA Worldwide Relocation & Moving: SIRVA is one of the largest global relocation management companies (RMC), offering corporate mobility and household goods moving worldwide — comparable to zapf's international/corporate side but at a much larger scale and with broader global infrastructure.
• Graebel Companies: Graebel is a major global RMC and household goods mover serving enterprise clients with relocation and move management — comparable to zapf's enterprise/corporate franchise contract work and international capability.
• Crown Worldwide Moving Services: Crown is a global relocation and moving services provider with international network, comparable to zapf's overseas partner-based model and its corporate mobility framework contracts.
• DB Schenker (Deutsche Bahn): DB Schenker is the global logistics arm of Deutsche Bahn — notably both a zapf corporate client (2006 Deutsche Bahn HQ relocation) and a much larger logistics incumbent with adjacent moving/relocation capabilities through its DB Schenker Household Goods division.
• Hermes Einrichtungsservice: Hermes Einrichtungsservice, owned by Otto Group, provides furniture and household goods transport services across Germany — comparable to zapf's residential and white-glove furniture moving offerings, part of a larger retail ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Team Relocations: Team Relocations is a mid-sized international RMC providing corporate relocation and move management — comparable to zapf's international staff move framework contracts, though operating primarily outside Germany and competing for the same cross-border RFPs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Zapf Umzüge AG