Bertschi AG

What Bertschi AG does

Bertschi AG is a privately held, family-owned Swiss chemical logistics company founded in the 1950s and headquartered in Dürrenäsch, Switzerland. It specializes in intermodal transport of liquid and dry bulk chemicals, combining rail, road, and inland waterway transport through more than 30 owned and operated terminals and 79 subsidiaries across 39 countries, serving global chemical producers such as Dow, Lonza, Covestro, Wacker, Olin, Infineum, and Firmenich. The asset base includes rail-connected terminals at major European chemical clusters (Antwerp, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Ludwigshafen, Cologne, Duisburg), the Jurong Island Chemical Cluster in Singapore, and the 62,400 m² Zhangjiagang Liquids Hub in China — the largest single investment in the company's history at approximately USD 45 million.

The company's core technology stack is its proprietary Cargoweb ERP system, which integrates order, warehouse, transport, and yard management, heating, and drumming modules and is adapted to Chinese standards at Zhangjiagang. Bertschi also designs ISO tank container technology, recognized by Covestro with an Asia Pacific Innovation in Transportation Safety award, and operates a customer-facing Extranet portal for end-to-end shipment visibility. Certification footprint includes ISO 9001/14001/45001, SQAS, Responsible Care, and TfS (passed at Zhangjiagang in 2026), which function as regulatory gating for hazardous chemical cargo handling.

Bertschi generates revenue on a transaction-fee basis through negotiated B2B contracts priced by route, cargo type, hazard class, and required value-added services such as heating, storage, and drumming. The go-to-market is sales-led, executed through 79 wholly-owned subsidiaries and dedicated account managers targeting enterprise chemical producers; rail capacity is augmented via equity stakes in HUPAC and SBB Cargo (35% consortium stake). Reported turnover was CHF 1.02 billion in FY2025 (flat year-on-year against a European chemical downturn) and CHF 960 million in 2018, with the family ownership, leadership of Hans-Jörg Bertschi as Chairman and Jan Arnet as CEO since 2019, and absence of external private equity involvement reinforcing the company's long-duration, reinvestment-oriented operating model.

Name

Bertschi AG

Legal name

Bertschi AG

Website

https://bertschi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Bertschi AG is a Swiss family-owned intermodal chemical logistics provider operating 30+ terminals and 79 subsidiaries across 39 countries, serving global chemical producers with rail, road, and waterway transport of liquid and dry bulk cargo.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chemical Logistics Services

NAICS

Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Warehousing and Storage (493), Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)

akta.pro primary industry

Chemicals & Petrochemicals (Non-Hazmat Specialized Handling) (TLAIALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chemical Tank Farms & Bulk Liquid Chemical Storage (TLALAHAH), Hazmat & Dangerous Goods Warehousing (Regulated Storage) (TLAIACAE), Specialty Liquid Bulk (Latex/Resins/Paints/Adhesives) Transport (TLADALAJ), Intermodal Drayage Coordination & Port/Rail Ramp Transfers (TLACAEAH)

Keywords

• Chemical logistics services
• Intermodal transport
• Tank container logistics
• Dry bulk transport
• Hazardous goods logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Dürrenäsch

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices48 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Intermodal Chemical Logistics: Bertschi generates revenue through providing intermodal logistics services for chemical products, including transport by rail, road, and waterway, terminal operations, container storage, heating, drumming, and warehousing. Revenue is derived from service fees across its global network of terminals and subsidiaries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bertschi AG provides global intermodal chemical logistics services combining rail, road, and waterway transport for liquid and dry bulk chemical cargo. The company's offerings span tank container and silo container logistics, ISO deep-sea container shipping, terminal operations, container storage, heating, drumming, warehousing, and door-to-door supply chain management, delivered through approximately 30 owned terminals, deep-sea container fleets, and 79 subsidiaries across 39 countries. Underlying these services is the proprietary Cargoweb ERP system and a customer-facing Extranet portal enabling real-time shipment visibility and integration with customer software systems.

Product overview

Bertschi AG offers a unified suite of chemical logistics services organized around four core product lines: Liquids (intermodal tank container logistics for liquid chemicals), Dry Bulk (silo container logistics for dry cargo), Global (deep-sea ISO tank transport worldwide), and Solutions (customized supply chain solutions). These services are underpinned by Bertschi's own proprietary ERP system (Cargoweb), a customer-facing tracking portal, and a network of owned and operated logistics hubs and terminals across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The product portfolio is complemented by specialized infrastructure assets including the Zhangjiagang Liquids Hub in China and the Jurong Island Chemical Cluster in Singapore.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Liquids Specialized intermodal tank container logistics service for liquid chemical products across Europe, including handling, heating, storage and last-mile delivery for chemical producers.
• Dry Bulk Intermodal silo container logistics for dry bulk cargo throughout Europe, combining rail, road, and water transport for chemical and industrial goods.
• Global Deep-sea ISO tank container transport connecting Europe with Asia, Middle East, Americas, and other global routes, including customs clearance and door-to-door delivery for worldwide chemical producers.
• Solutions Customized logistics solutions for complex chemical supply chain challenges, integrating Bertschi's network of terminals, depots, and transport modes to address specialized customer requirements.
• Bertschi Zhangjiagang Liquids Hub Chemical logistics center and container terminal in Zhangjiagang, China, spanning 62,400 m2. Features Class A/B/C warehouse, loaded dry bulk container storage with heating, drum filling station, and inland transport. Bertschi's largest single investment at approximately USD 45 million.
• Bertschi Singapore Jurong Island Chemical Cluster (JICC) Advanced liquid chemicals hub on Jurong Island, Singapore. One of Asia's most advanced facilities for safe and efficient handling and storage of chemical specialties and hazardous goods, with continuous operation and expansion since 2017.
• Bertschi Customer Portal (Extranet) Web-based customer portal providing end-to-end supply chain visibility, shipment tracking, and real-time status updates for containerized chemical logistics services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves over 300,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually compared to pure road transport
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HUPACcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBertschi holds a significant stake in HUPAC, a leading Swiss intermodal transport company. Hans-Jörg Bertschi serves as Chairman of HUPAC's board. HUPAC operates combined transport services and is a key partner in Bertschi's intermodal rail network across Europe.
• SBB CargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBertschi is part of a consortium (with Planzer, Camion Transport, Galliker) that acquired a 35% stake in SBB Cargo. This partnership aims to contribute to the successful development of SBB Cargo and sustainable, climate-friendly transport logistics in Switzerland.
• Nordic Bulkers ABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish subsidiary of Bertschi Group, specializing in dry bulk logistics. Nordic Bulkers operates multiple terminals across Sweden and is integrated into Bertschi's European network.
• DKT Duisburg Kombiterminal GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBertschi operates DKT Duisburg Kombiterminal, a key multimodal terminal in Germany's largest inland port. DKT serves as a critical hub connecting rail, road, and waterway transport for chemical cargo.
• Aldrees Bertschi Logistics (JV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture with Aldrees operating a container terminal in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Serves global and Middle Eastern customers, handling logistics processes for chemical products in the challenging desert terminal environment.
• KTL Kombi-Terminal LudwigshafenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBertschi holds a participation in KTL Kombi-Terminal Ludwigshafen, enhancing its intermodal terminal network in the German chemical corridor.
• RSC Rail Service Center RotterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBertschi holds a participation in RSC Rail Service Center Rotterdam, strengthening its rail-connected infrastructure in the Rotterdam port area.
• IBB Industriebahnhof Stade-BrunshausenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBertschi holds a participation in IBB terminal in Stade-Brunshausen, Germany, supporting rail connections for chemical transport.
• Log4ChemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBertschi is a member of Log4Chem, a chemical logistics network.
• Dow ChemicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Dow Chemicals at ValuePark Terneuzen. Dow Terneuzen is the second-largest Dow production site globally and Bertschi's terminal is specifically positioned at Dow's facility to provide intermodal logistics services.
• LonzacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner20-year partnership with Lonza at Bertschi Terminal Visp. Bertschi supports logistics for the world's largest Lonza production plant through rail-based intermodal transport.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hoyer Group: German family-owned liquid logistics specialist operating ISO tank containers, bulk liquid warehousing and intermodal services across Europe. Closely comparable to Bertschi in business model (tank container logistics for chemicals) and family-ownership structure.
• Den Hartogh Logistics: Dutch-headquartered liquid and dry bulk logistics provider specializing in chemical and food-grade cargo with a large ISO tank container fleet and European terminals. Direct competitor to Bertschi in chemical intermodal logistics and tank container management.
• Stolt-Nielsen: Global tank container operator with a major chemical logistics division (Stolt Tank Containers) and global terminal network. Comparable to Bertschi's Global product line and ISO tank fleet, though larger and publicly listed.
• De Boer Tanktrans: Dutch specialist in liquid chemical tank container transport by road and intermodal. Direct competitor to Bertschi in European chemical liquid logistics, focused on road and short-sea intermodal tank movements.
• BDP International: US-based global logistics provider specializing in chemical, petrochemical and industrial project logistics. Comparable chemical vertical focus and door-to-door service model.
• Deugro Group: German-headquartered specialist forwarding and project logistics company serving chemicals, petrochemicals and industrial clients globally. Comparable in chemical vertical specialization and door-to-door capability.

Broad incumbents

• VTG AG: European rail freight and tank container leasing company. Comparable to Bertschi's rail intermodal and ISO tank container businesses, but operates primarily as an asset lessor rather than integrated logistics provider.
• DHL Global Forwarding: World's largest air and ocean freight forwarder with a dedicated chemical logistics vertical (DHL Industrial Projects, DHL Chemical Logistics). Comparable in serving chemical shippers, but operates as a broad 3PL rather than chemical specialist.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global logistics provider with a substantial chemical logistics practice (KN ChemLog) and intermodal capabilities. Comparable target market but vastly larger scale and broader portfolio than Bertschi's chemical focus.
• Rhenus Logistics: European logistics provider with chemical logistics division, intermodal terminals and tank container services. Comparable in offering integrated chemical logistics but with a broader portfolio spanning many verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xxing.com/pages/bertschigroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCs6-rvHJrZUsquPr5bCLXjQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/BertschiGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bertschigroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/bertschigroup

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries39 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 Bertschi AG