What Dematra does

Dematra NV is a Belgian, family-controlled third-party logistics provider founded in 1976 and headquartered in Nazareth, Belgium. The company delivers integrated warehousing and transport services across the Benelux and, following its 2023 expansion into the Netherlands, increasingly across wider Europe. Its core customer base consists of large enterprise clients in FMCG, food, non-food consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals — including Danone, Unilever, Samsonite, Laroy, and PGB — served through long-term dedicated contracts handled by an enterprise field sales motion. The company holds an unusually dense stack of compliance and sustainability certifications (BRCGS Storage and Distribution for ten consecutive years, GDP for pharma, Bio for organic goods, Lean & Green, and BREEAM Outstanding In-Use), which together function as gating credentials in regulated multinational RFPs.

The operating footprint comprises six sites with roughly 200,000 pallet locations and 245 own-fleet drivers executing more than 2,000 deliveries per day. The flagship facility, PRYK IV in Kruisem, is a 46-metre fully automated high-bay warehouse housing 80,000 pallets and handling 12,000 pallet movements per day using Movu Atlas pallet shuttles built on Stow racking — a globally recognised reference installation that won 'Best Use of Robotics' at the Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2023. Digital access is provided through a C&W Logistics WMS Suite customer portal, the TSM fleet system, and Transporeon for transport management, integrated into client ERPs (e.g., Navision). AI capability today centres on predictive maintenance across the shuttle fleet, with computer-vision quality inspection and Autonomous Mobile Robots explicitly on the roadmap.

Revenue is generated through two managed-services streams: warehousing and storage (order fulfilment, value-added logistics, inbound logistics, special logistics) on long-dated enterprise contracts, and transport and distribution (fine-mesh Benelux distribution, full truck loads, shuttle services, cross-European high-value transport via the Nouwens subsidiary). Combined group revenue reached approximately €60 million in 2022 (Dematra standalone was ~€25M at the 2021 Waterland entry point), and Waterland Private Equity provided growth capital in April 2021 to fund further expansion, including a fourth site and the 2023 acquisitions of Transport De Sloover and Nouwens Transport.

Name

Dematra

Legal name

Dematra NV

Website

https://dematra.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Dematra is a Belgian family-owned third-party logistics provider offering integrated warehousing and dedicated transport services across the Benelux and Europe, serving large FMCG, consumer-goods, and pharmaceutical enterprises such as Danone, Unilever, and Samsonite from a network of automated warehouses and an own-fleet of 245 drivers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Warehousing and Logistics Services

NAICS

General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance (48412), Warehousing and Storage (493), General Warehousing and Storage (493110), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

E-commerce & Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Brands (TLAIALAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hazmat & Dangerous Goods Warehousing (Regulated Storage) (TLAIACAE)

Keywords

• Dedicated warehousing services
• Transport and distribution
• Automated high-bay storage
• FMCG logistics solutions
• Pharmaceutical cold-chain logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Nazareth

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Warehousing & Storage: Storage of food, non-food, and pharmaceutical products across multiple warehouse sites, including one of the world's largest fully automated high-bay warehouses. Services include order fulfilment, value-added logistics, inbound logistics, and special logistics services.
2. Transport & Distribution: Fine-mesh distribution in Benelux, full truck loads, shuttle services, and high-quality transport across Europe. Services include 24-hour delivery, time-specified delivery, and real-time tracking & tracing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dematra is a Belgian logistics service provider that operates integrated warehousing and transport services for enterprise FMCG, food, pharmaceutical and consumer-goods customers across the Benelux and Europe. It stores goods across ~176,500 pallet locations (including the 46m fully automated high-bay warehouse PRYK IV) and distributes them via a fleet of 245 drivers, with order fulfilment, value-added logistics, inbound logistics and fine-mesh Benelux distribution bundled under dedicated long-term contracts.

Product overview

Dematra is a Belgian family-owned logistics company founded in 1976, operating as a dedicated warehousing and transport provider across the Benelux. Its offering is a platform-plus-modules architecture built around two core services — Warehousing and Transport — supplemented by a suite of digital tools and specialized value-added services. The warehousing arm includes standard storage (food and non-food, including temperature-controlled), an automated high-bay warehouse (PRYK IV, 80,000 pallet capacity with Movu Atlas shuttle robotics), order fulfilment with ERP integration, inbound logistics, and value-added logistics (packing, kitting, display assembly). The transport arm covers fijnmazige (fine-mesh) distribution, full truckloads, shuttle services, and high-value European transport via subsidiary Nouwens. Digital access is provided through the C&W WMS Suite customer portal and Transporeon platform. The company has pursued a consolidation strategy, acquiring Transport De Sloover (2023) and Nouwens Transport (2023) to expand full truckload and cross-border capabilities, with the combined group generating over €60 million in revenue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Warehousing Comprehensive storage and inventory management services including specialized handling of fast-moving consumer goods, temperature-controlled storage, automated high-bay warehousing, and value-added logistics such as packing, kitting, and display assembly for enterprise customers.
• Transport
• Full Truck Loads (FTL)
• Shuttle Services
• High-Value European Transport (Nouwens) Premium transport services via subsidiary Nouwens Transport Breda (Netherlands), specializing in high-value goods including consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food, with 24-hour distribution to the United Kingdom and throughout Europe.
• Order Fulfilment
• Value Added Logistics
• Inbound Logistics
• Full Automatic High-Bay Warehouse (PRYK IV) Fully automated 46-meter high warehouse facility at De Prijkels (Kruisem) housing 80,000 pallets with capacity for 12,000 pallet movements per day, powered by Movu Atlas shuttle robots and Stow rack system, BREEAM OUTSTANDING In-Use certified.
• Full Truckload Transport (De Sloover) Full truckload transport services operated through acquired subsidiary Transport De Sloover, with integrated drivers and dedicated execution of European full-truckload freight.
• Electric Urban Distribution (eActros 300L) Zero-emission urban distribution and medium-distance transport using the fully electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 300L truck, with up to 300 km range for city and regional deliveries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80,000 pallet locations in a single automated warehouse with 12,000 pallet movements per day
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration4 records

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Wim Claes Transport & Logistiek (WCTL)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2024WCTL announced a strategic partnership with Dematra, a step that offers both family businesses new possibilities for growth and innovation. The partnership combines complementary logistics capabilities and strengthens each company's market position in the Benelux.
• Stow Group / Movu RoboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationStow Group and its robotics division Movu Robotics designed and built the world's largest fully automated high-bay warehouse for Dematra. The 46m silo houses 80,000 pallets and handles 12,000 daily pallet movements using Movu Atlas shuttles and Stow shuttle rack systems. This project won the 'Best Use of Robotics' award at the Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2023.
• ESC (Electronic Solutions Company)majorTechnology or IntegrationESC acts as Dematra's virtual IT manager, providing modern and performant IT infrastructure. ESC designed the multi-functional wireless network and all IT provisions for the new automated distribution centre, including Barracuda firewalls, client devices, fibre connectivity between sites, and 24/7 IT support. Cedric De Jaeger described ESC's key strengths as speed, flexibility, and reliability.
• TransporeonmajorTechnology or IntegrationTransporeon is a logistics platform integrated into Dematra's operations, enabling digital freight management, real-time visibility, and collaboration with shippers and carriers across the logistics network.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CEVA Logistics: Global 3PL offering contract logistics, freight management and finished vehicle logistics with a strong European footprint. Comparable to Dematra in serving multinational FMCG and industrial clients with integrated supply-chain solutions.
• Rhenus Logistics: German-headquartered global logistics group with contract logistics, warehousing and multi-modal transport, including Benelux operations. Comparable to Dematra's integrated warehousing + transport model serving industrial and FMCG clients.
• XPO Logistics (European operations): Major European contract logistics and less-than-truckload operator with a network of automated warehouses serving FMCG, retail and industrial customers. Comparable to Dematra in integrated warehousing + transport for large enterprise clients across Europe.
• GXO Logistics: Pure-play contract logistics operator with significant European operations, focused on automated warehousing and value-added services for FMCG and consumer goods. Highly comparable to Dematra's integrated warehousing + value-added logistics proposition.
• Geodis: French-headquartered global logistics provider with contract logistics and freight forwarding, active in Benelux. Comparable to Dematra in integrated warehousing + distribution for retail, FMCG and industrial clients across Europe.
• DSV: Global transport and logistics group with road, air, sea and contract logistics divisions across Europe. Comparable to Dematra's transport and warehousing offering, with a much larger European network and consolidation playbook (DSV is itself an active roll-up acquirer).
• Nippon Express (Europe): Global logistics provider with significant European contract logistics operations for automotive, electronics and pharma. Comparable to Dematra in offering certified, integrated warehousing + distribution to multinational enterprise clients in Europe.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with a growing contract logistics arm serving FMCG, pharma and industrial customers. Comparable to Dematra in integrated, certified warehousing + transport for multinational enterprise accounts.

Direct peers

• ID Logistics: French international contract logistics specialist focused on FMCG, retail, and e-commerce fulfillment with automated warehouses across Europe. Comparable to Dematra in dedicated warehousing, value-added logistics, and integrated distribution for large FMCG accounts.

Regional players

• H.Essers: Belgian family-owned logistics provider offering transport, warehousing and value-added services with strong pharma and chemicals capabilities. Comparable to Dematra as a Benelux-headquartered, family-led 3PL with certified warehousing and an integrated transport network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dematrawarehousinganddistribution

Compliance5 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 Dematra