What Pfenning Logistics does

Pfenning Logistics is the operative brand of the pfenning-Gruppe, a privately held, family-owned German contract-logistics provider founded in 1899 and currently led in its third and fourth generation under managing shareholder and CEO Karl-Martin Pfenning. Headquartered in Heddesheim, Germany, the company operates approximately 110 locations across Europe with a workforce of about 7,000 employees, a fleet of roughly 1,000 trucks, and approximately 1,000,000 m² of warehouse space, of which 40,000 m² is HACCP-certified temperature-controlled capacity. The legal parent is KMP Holding GmbH (Mannheim registry), and the group structure spans the core pfenning logistics GmbH subsidiary alongside dedicated e-commerce (GILOG, HTH), real estate (pfenning real estate, multicube, WAREhouses+), cold-chain infrastructure (freshcube), facility services, staffing (be4work), mobility (Sonima, Autowelt Ebert), and metal processing (Metallbau Nick) entities.

The company delivers end-to-end supply-chain services across warehousing, transport, and value-added operations (co-packing, returns management, logistics consulting). Its proprietary multicube platform provides award-winning sustainable multi-user logistics real estate — the multicube rhein-neckar (DGNB Gold, score 1.21) and multicube rheinhessen (DGNB Platinum) are flagship facilities — while freshcube handles temperature-controlled logistics for food and pharma. Underlying technology comprises integrated WMS/TMS and tracking systems with no disclosed proprietary AI or platform APIs. The business model is sales-led B2B contract logistics with quote-based, individually negotiated contracts; revenue streams are organized into contract logistics (recurring storage and managed services), transport and distribution (transaction-based freight), and value-added services (professional services). Primary verticals are retail and food retail (where Pfenning ranks top 3 in Germany), with secondary focus on pharmaceuticals (GDP-compliant), automotive and industrial (IATF 16949), chemicals (SQAS), and e-commerce fulfillment, serving enterprise customers such as food retailers, discounters, Heidelberg, and Voith Turbo across Germany and Poland.

Go-to-market relies on direct enterprise sales teams organized by industry vertical, supported by certifications including GDP, IFS, HACCP, IATF 16949, SQAS, ISO 9001/14001/13485/27001, SMETA, GMP+, and BIO-Siegel, plus marketing channels including a corporate website, LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram/TikTok presence, an annual pfenningECHO magazine, and industry events. Recent strategic actions include the February 2025 addition of Georg Lammers to management for chemical and pharma focus, the September 2025 Sonima-Voith Turbo mobility partnership at Erding, and the May 2026 multi-party packaging partnership with Heidelberg, Pack-Smart, and Metsä Board.

Name

Pfenning Logistics

Legal name

KMP Holding GmbH

Website

https://pfenning-logistics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Pfenning Logistics is a family-owned German contract-logistics provider (founded 1899) operating 110 European locations, 1,000 trucks, and 1 million m² of warehouse, offering warehousing, transport, and value-added services across retail, food, pharma, automotive, and chemical verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Logistics

NAICS

Warehousing and Storage (493), General Freight Trucking (4841), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), General Freight Trucking, Local (48411)

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Temperature-Controlled Warehousing (Chilled/Frozen) (TLAIACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hazmat & Dangerous Goods Warehousing (Regulated Storage) (TLAIACAE), Food & Beverage Cross-Docking (Perishables) (TLALAFAC), E-commerce & Omnichannel Fulfillment Centers (Non-Temp Controlled) (TLALAAAC)

Keywords

• Contract logistics
• Warehouse management
• Cold chain logistics
• Freight transportation
• Supply chain consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Heddesheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Logistics & Warehousing: Core revenue stream from providing dedicated warehouse space and management services. Includes storage, order fulfillment, inventory management, and value-added services. Revenue generated through negotiated contracts with enterprise customers based on space used, throughput volume, and service complexity.
2. Transport & Distribution Services: Revenue from trucking and freight services using the company's own fleet of 1,000 trucks. Includes regional, national, and temperature-controlled transportation. Revenue model based on shipment volume, distance, and service requirements.
3. Value Added Services: Additional services including co-packing, co-packing, returns management, quality control, and supply chain consulting. These services complement core logistics and create upsell opportunities within existing customer relationships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Pfenning Logistics provides contract logistics services including multi-client warehousing (multicube), transport and freight forwarding with a fleet of around 1,000 trucks, cross-docking, and value-added services across industries such as retail, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, e-commerce, and automotive/industrial manufacturing. The company operates more than 1 million square metres of warehouse space across 110+ locations in Germany, including the temperature-controlled freshcube cold-chain facility, and additionally offers logistics consulting and contract logistics for trade and industry.

Product overview

Pfenning Logistics (pfenning-Gruppe) operates as an owner-managed logistics and supply chain solutions group (legal entity: KMP Holding GmbH) that functions as a multi-brand, multi-subsidiary portfolio. The core operative brand is pfenning logistics GmbH, which provides the foundational suite of warehousing, transport, and Value Added Services. This core offering is complemented by specialised sub-brands including multicube (award-winning multi-user logistics centre real estate, with DGNB Gold and Platinum certified facilities), freshcube (temperature-controlled logistics infrastructure), and WAREhouses+ (flexible warehouse and industrial space solutions). The group maintains a network of subsidiaries including GILOG GmbH and HTH Logistic Solutions GmbH for e-commerce logistics, Sonima GmbH for mobility solutions, pfenning facility+ services GmbH for facility and security services, pfenning real estate GmbH for logistics property development, be4work GmbH for staffing, Autowelt Ebert GmbH for mobility, and Metallbau Nick GmbH for metal processing. Services span contract logistics, cold chain logistics, pharmaceutical GDP-compliant logistics, chemical/hazardous goods logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, trade/retail logistics (top 3 in Germany), and logistics consulting. The group serves industries including consumer goods, food, pharma, automotive, chemical, and FMCG across 110 European locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• multicube: Multi-user logistics centers - Europe-wide outstanding and award-winning logistics real estate concepts
• freshcube
• WAREhouses+

Products and services

• Contract Logistics End-to-end outsourced contract logistics for retailers, manufacturers, and traders, covering warehousing, transport, and value-added services.
• Chemical Logistics Specialized logistics services for chemical manufacturers and traders, including SQAS-certified handling of chemical goods.
• Pharma & Healthcare Logistics GDP-compliant storage and distribution services for pharmaceutical and healthcare products.
• Food Logistics Food-grade warehousing and transport with HACCP and IFS compliance, leveraging freshcube for temperature-controlled handling.
• Retail Logistics Large-scale retail logistics services for German and European retailers, anchored by 1,000,000+ m² of warehouse space.
• Automotive & Industrial Logistics IATF 16949-certified logistics for automotive and industrial manufacturers, including dedicated partnerships with Voith Turbo and Heidelberg/Heidelberg Materials.
• Warehouse Logistics (multicube) Multi-client warehousing operations delivered through Pfenning's multicube logistics centers, providing flexible shared warehousing for multiple customers.
• Cold-Chain Logistics (freshcube) Temperature-controlled warehousing and handling for food and other temperature-sensitive products using Pfenning's freshcube cold-chain infrastructure.
• Cross-Docking Services IT-controlled cross-docking operations enabling efficient flow-through distribution for retail and industrial customers.
• Transport & Freight Services Road transport and freight services operated with a fleet of approximately 1,000 trucks across 110+ locations in Germany and Europe.
• Bonded Warehouse (Zolllager) Services Bonded warehouse operations (Zolllager) for customers requiring customs-suspended storage and import/export logistics.
• Logistics Consulting Consulting services for contract and trade logistics customers, supporting logistics optimization and supply chain design.
• E-Commerce Logistics Warehousing, fulfillment, and transport services for e-commerce and omnichannel retail customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000 m² temperature-controlled storage space (HACCP compliant)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HeidelbergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Partnership with Heidelberg (printing press manufacturer) for packaging operations. Covers fiber-based board materials for folding carton production (particularly cosmetics), inkjet serialization and traceability systems for brand verification, and logistics integration for faster delivery and documentation. Includes joint R&D, pilot runs, and customer demonstrations.
• Pack-SmartcoreTechnology or Integration · 8 May 2026Partnership for automation and serialization systems in packaging operations. Provides inkjet serialization and traceability systems for brand verification.
• Metsä BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Partnership for fiber-based board materials for folding carton production, particularly for cosmetics packaging. Covers sustainable materials sourcing.
• Voith Turbo (Voith Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2025Sonima GmbH (pfenning-Gruppe company) partnered with Voith Turbo for mobility solutions at Erding location near Voith's facility in Garching. Part of pfenning's expansion into future mobility and innovative transportation solutions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DACHSER: German family-owned logistics company providing European road freight, contract logistics, and warehousing with dense network coverage—directly comparable as a German-headquartered, family-controlled 3PL serving similar enterprise customers.
• DB Schenker: German-headquartered global logistics provider (now DSV-owned) with extensive contract logistics, European road transport, and specialist vertical capabilities including chemical and automotive logistics—directly comparable to Pfenning's vertical mix.
• DHL Supply Chain: Global contract logistics leader within Deutsche Post DHL Group, offering warehousing, transport, and value-added services across multiple verticals including retail, pharma, automotive, and chemical—directly overlapping Pfenning's service portfolio at much larger scale.
• DSV: Danish-headquartered global transport and logistics group with strong German road and contract logistics presence (post-Schenker acquisition); competes directly for enterprise contract logistics customers across retail, pharma, and automotive.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Swiss-headquartered global 3PL with significant contract logistics and road freight operations in Germany, including pharma/cold-chain capabilities (KN PharmaChain) that overlap Pfenning's GDP-certified pharma offering.

Direct peers

• Fiege:
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: German family-owned global logistics company headquartered in Osnabrück offering contract logistics, road freight, air, sea, and specialized industry solutions—closest comparable by ownership structure, German roots, and service portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/pfenninglogistics
• Facebookfacebook.com/pfenning.logistics
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/pfenning-logistics
• Instagraminstagram.com/pfenninglogistics
• TikToktiktok.com/@pfenninglogistics

Compliance18 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries12 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 Pfenning Logistics