CretschmarCargo

What CretschmarCargo does

CretschmarCargo, legally L.W. Cretschmar GmbH & Co. KG, is a family-owned German logistics provider founded in 1836 and headquartered in Düsseldorf. It operates as a mid-sized full-service 3PL integrating three core service pillars: Warehouse Logistics (159,000 m² of storage across 18 German sites), Project Logistics (trade fair, exhibition, event, and industrial project work delivered through subsidiary Cretschmar MesseCargo GmbH), and Transport Logistics (multi-modal air, sea, road, rail, plus the Night Star Express overnight sub-brand).

The company's specialized capabilities include an in-house customs department executing 10,000+ clearances annually with bonded warehouses, ADR-certified hazardous goods transport, TRGS 510-compliant storage across multiple hazardous substance classes, IFS-certified food logistics, and temperature-controlled transport. Its technology stack combines proprietary digital tools — SDB2Excel (AI-assisted hazardous substance data extraction), WMS, Track & Trace, and EDI/API integrations (including live SAP integration with customers like Teekanne) — with custom development capability.

Cretschmar serves enterprise B2B customers across chemicals (BASF, Evonik, Allnex), consumer goods and retail (Henkel, ALDI Nord/Sued, TEDi, Mars, LUSH, Amazon), industrial manufacturing (Smurfit Kappa, Coroplast, Zeppelin CAT), and the trade fair/event sector. Revenue exceeds €60 million annually from a quote-based, project-priced model with 9M+ shipments and 1.1M+ tonnes of freight handled. The company has 400+ employees and a 360-partner international network spanning Europe, Asia, and North America.

Name

CretschmarCargo

Legal name

L.W. Cretschmar GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://cretschmar.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1836

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CretschmarCargo is a family-owned German logistics provider founded in 1836 offering integrated warehouse, project (trade fair/event), and multi-modal transport logistics with in-house customs, hazardous goods, and food-certified capabilities, serving enterprise B2B customers across chemicals, retail, and manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Support Activities for Transportation (488), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage (493120)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Freight Brokerage (FCL/LCL) (TLADAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG), Perishables & Fresh Produce Forwarding (Food/Seafood/Floral) (TLACAJAA), Refrigerated / Temperature-Controlled Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAH), Custom Crating & Export-Grade Packaging (HSAKADAC)

Keywords

• Logistics services
• Warehouse logistics
• Project logistics
• Transport logistics
• Customs clearance

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Warehouse Logistics Services: Comprehensive warehouse management services offered in company's own or customer facilities. Includes storage, value-added services (confectioning, packaging, labeling, cleaning, order picking, shipping preparation), sea container loading/unloading, quality control, and production-related services. Revenue generated through space rental, handling fees, and bundled service packages.
2. Project Logistics Services: Specialized logistics for exhibitions, trade fairs, congresses, events, and industrial projects. Includes transport, customs clearance, temporary storage, equipment rental, on-site coordination, and complete project outsourcing. Revenue generated through project-based fees, service charges, and equipment rentals.
3. Transport Logistics Services: National and international transport by air, sea, road, and rail. Includes full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), express services via Night Star Express network, heavy-lift and oversize transport, temperature-controlled transport, and dangerous goods transport. Revenue generated through freight charges, distance-based pricing, and modal surcharges.
4. Customs Services: In-house customs clearance including import/export handling, customs guarantees, ATLAS/AES procedures, bonded warehousing, and customs consulting. Revenue generated through per-clearance fees and annual guarantee charges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CretschmarCargo is a family-run, medium-sized full-service logistics provider delivering integrated warehouse logistics, project logistics (including trade fair and event logistics), and multi-modal transport logistics (road, sea, air, rail). The company operates 159,000 m² of warehouse space across 18 German locations with an in-house customs department, and supports customers with specialized services for hazardous goods, temperature-controlled transport, and food logistics.

Product overview

CRETSCHMAR is a family-run, internationally operating medium-sized full-service logistics provider founded in 1836. The company offers three core service pillars: Warehouse Logistics (Lagerlogistik), Project Logistics (Projektlogistik), and Transport Logistics (Transportlogistik). These are delivered through a multi-layer structure including the main Cretschmar brand and subsidiary Cretschmar MesseCargo GmbH for project logistics. The company also provides specialized services including customs clearance, hazardous goods handling (Gefahrgut), temperature-controlled transport (Thermo), and food logistics (Food) per IFS standards. Digital offerings include SDB2Excel for safety data sheet management and EDI/API interfaces for customer integration. The Night Star Express sub-brand handles overnight express deliveries. With over 190 years of experience, 400+ employees, 360 international partners, and 159,000 m² of warehouse space across 18 German locations, CRETSCHMAR serves industries including manufacturing, trade, chemicals, food, and trade show/event sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NIGHT STAR EXPRESS: Overnight express shipping service for urgent shipments with next-morning delivery until 8 AM (optionally 7 AM) covering Germany, BeNeLux, and Switzerland.
• SDB2Excel
• CRETSCHMAR NIGHT STAR EXPRESS

Products and services

• Warehouse Logistics (Lagerlogistik) Comprehensive warehouse management services in own or customer facilities across 159,000 m² at 18 German locations. Includes storage, value-added services (packaging, labeling, cleaning, order picking, shipping preparation), sea container loading/unloading, and quality control for industrial, retail, and e-commerce customers.
• Project Logistics (Projektlogistik) Integrated project logistics for trade fairs, exhibitions, congresses, events, and industrial projects. Includes transport, customs clearance, temporary storage, equipment rental, on-site coordination, and complete project outsourcing for trade fair organizers, exhibitors, event agencies, and venue operators.
• Transport Logistics (Transportlogistik) Full-spectrum national and international transport by air, sea, road, and rail. Includes full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), heavy-lift and oversize transport, temperature-controlled transport, and dangerous goods transport.
• Night Star Express Receiptless overnight express shipping service for urgent goods with next-morning delivery until 8 AM (optionally 7 AM) covering Germany, BeNeLux, and Switzerland, with day express to Denmark and Austria.
• Customs Services In-house customs clearance including import/export handling, customs guarantees, ATLAS/AES procedures, T1/T2 transit documents, INTRASTAT reporting, and bonded warehouse facilities (Zollverwahrlager and Offene Zolllager) with over 10,000 customs clearances performed annually.
• Hazardous Goods Logistics Specialized hazardous goods and hazardous substance logistics per TRGS 510 (storage classes 2B, 3, 6.1A/B, 8A, 8B, 10, 11, 12-13 and 5.1), with ADR-certified transport services and certified storage facilities at Düsseldorf and Neuss locations.
• Temperature-Controlled Transport Temperature-controlled transport services with ISO-THERM equipment, real-time temperature monitoring, and fast transit times for temperature-sensitive goods throughout Germany.
• Food Logistics Professional food logistics per IFS standard including hygienic unloading, interim storage and commissioning of food products while maintaining all quality and temperature requirements.
• SDB2Excel Digital solution for hazardous substance and dangerous goods management. Enables automatic AI-powered analysis of safety data sheets (SDS) and export to Excel format for hazardous substance registries, supporting operating instructions and documentation per hazardous substance regulations.
• Helping Hands Service Professional event logistics specialist service available by the hour for events, exhibitions and functions including booth setup, event management, exhibitor handling, replenishment, transport, and dismantling.
• CRETSCHMAR NAVIS Market intelligence tool providing orientation for international supply chains under pressure, particularly regarding Middle East logistics routes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 190 years of experience since 1836
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Night Star ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for overnight express delivery services. Cretschmar offers Night Star Express services for time-critical shipments with delivery next morning by 8am (optional 7am) across Germany, BeNeLux, Switzerland, with day express to Denmark and Austria. Services include pickup in late afternoon, documented photo/GPS tracking, barcode scanning, and Saturday delivery at no extra cost.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: Family-owned German-headquartered global freight forwarder and 3PL with multi-modal services, customs brokerage and warehousing — closely comparable to Cretschmar's mid-market, family-led positioning and service mix.
• FIEGE: German family-owned mid-market 3PL offering contract logistics, transport and value-added services across Europe — directly comparable heritage, customer segments (industrial/retail) and integrated service model.
• Emons Spedition: German mid-market multi-modal logistics and forwarding group with own fleet and warehousing; operates at a similar revenue scale to Cretschmar with overlapping industrial and retail customers.
• Röhlig Logistics: German-headquartered mid-sized international freight forwarder with air/sea freight and project logistics; comparable size, multi-modal scope and German family/mid-market heritage.
• Logwin: German-headquartered mid-market international logistics provider with air, sea freight and contract logistics operations; comparable European scope and mid-market size.

Broad incumbents

• DACHSER: Major German family-owned logistics provider with road, air and sea freight plus contract logistics; broader scale than Cretschmar but operates in the same German mid-market 3PL category with similar vertical mix.
• Kuehne + Nagel: Global top-3 freight forwarder headquartered in Switzerland with strong German operations; overlaps heavily with Cretschmar in road, air, sea freight and contract logistics, but at vastly greater scale.
• DHL Global Forwarding: World's largest air and ocean freight forwarder, part of Deutsche Post DHL Group; comparable air/sea/road offerings and customs services but operates at a fundamentally different scale and global self-owned network.
• Imperial Logistics (DP World): Africa-headquartered mid-market 3PL now owned by DP World, with contract logistics, freight management and chemical sector expertise — comparable vertical specialization (chemicals/freight forwarding) though geographically distinct.
• DSV A/S (incl. DB Schenker): Global freight forwarding and logistics group with major German operations following the DB Schenker acquisition; competes with Cretschmar across road, air, sea and contract logistics with substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookcretschmar.de/facebook
• LinkedIncretschmar.de/linkedin
• Instagraminstagram.com/cretschmar

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 CretschmarCargo