Ahlers Logistics
A Belgian family-owned freight forwarder and logistics provider offering multi-modal transport, customs brokerage, warehousing, and project logistics across Europe, CIS, Asia, and North America, with 25+ years of expertise in emerging markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1909
- HeadquartersAntwerp, Belgium
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ahlers Logistics does
Ahlers Logistics nv is a Belgian family-owned logistics provider founded in 1909 in the Port of Antwerp, now in its third generation under the Ahlers-Leysen family and held via Anacom bvba. The company operates a multi-modal forwarding and contract logistics platform spanning road, rail, ocean, barge, and air transport, supplemented by in-house customs brokerage (including excise goods), owned and rented warehousing (bonded and non-bonded), on-site/factory logistics, project cargo handling for heavy machinery and out-of-gauge loads, and an IoT-based secured transport product branded Safe-T. Its proprietary technology stack combines a new Transport Management System (TMS), an in-house CO2 calculator built on the GLEC framework (ISO 14083), and Power BI dashboards for real-time visibility and carbon reporting; an online customer portal at cp.ahlers.com provides order and tracking access.
The company runs a B2B enterprise sales model through a network of 22+ offices across Belgium, Germany, the Baltics, the Balkans, Ukraine (four offices, 120+ professionals), Romania, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China (Shanghai, Guangzhou), India, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States, backed by a worldwide agent network. Revenue is generated primarily through transaction fees on freight forwarding, professional services fees on customs brokerage and on-site logistics, and managed-services fees on warehousing and value-added services. Pricing is custom-quoted and delivered through multi-year enterprise contracts, with named accounts including Philip Morris International, BP, International Paper, Prayon, Lavazza, AG der Dillinger Hüttenwerke, and a global cosmetics manufacturer.
Strategically, Ahlers is repositioning under a new CEO (Dave Van den Bos, August 2025) toward international growth and project logistics, with 2024-2026 moves including a Vietnam office and warehouse, an Almaty warehouse, an Uzbekistan government MoU for a logistics hub, a strategic cooperation with Azurite Group on the Middle Corridor, and the rollout of the new TMS as part of a stated "fully digital freight forwarder" vision. The customer mix is concentrated in verticals where complex environments, security, and sustainability reporting matter most: tobacco (a primary segment), heavy industry and energy, chemicals, beverages and spirits, cosmetics, automotive, e-commerce, and energy sector logistics.
Ahlers Logistics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ahlers Logistics
- Legal name
- Ahlers Logistics nv
- Website
- https://ahlers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1909
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- A Belgian family-owned freight forwarder and logistics provider offering multi-modal transport, customs brokerage, warehousing, and project logistics across Europe, CIS, Asia, and North America, with 25+ years of expertise in emerging markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ahlers Logistics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), General Warehousing and Storage (493110), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Project Cargo Packing, Crating & Securing (Lashing/Dunnage) (TLAIAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Real-Time Operational Visibility & Exception Management (TLAEAKAC), Tool, Equipment & MRO Asset Tracking (Field/Depot/Plant) (TLAEAMAF), Internal Logistics & On-site Courier Services (BPABAEAH)
Keywords
Where Ahlers Logistics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Antwerp
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices22 records
Markets served
Ahlers Logistics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Freight Forwarding Services: International and domestic forwarding services across all transport modes (road, rail, ocean, barge, air). Revenue generated through freight charges, handling fees, and transport surcharges.
- Customs Brokerage: Licensed customs broker providing import/export customs clearance services, including excise customs. Revenue from brokerage fees and service charges.
- Warehousing & Distribution: Own and rented warehouse operations including bonded warehouses, distribution centers, cross-docking, and consolidation centers. Revenue from storage fees and value-added services.
- On-Site Logistics: Factory logistics and on-site personnel services at customer facilities. Revenue from service contracts and staffing solutions.
- Project Logistics: Specialized heavy machinery and project cargo logistics including chartering services. Revenue from complex project fees and charter arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Customized quotation-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Ahlers Logistics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ahlers Logistics is an end-to-end supply chain solutions provider offering international multi-modal transportation (road, rail, ocean, barge, and air), customs brokerage and trade documentation (including ECTN), bonded and non-bonded warehousing, on-site factory and in-plant logistics, project cargo handling for heavy industry, and secured transport with IoT-enabled tracking. The company serves enterprise customers across Europe, the CIS, Asia, and North America, with particular specialisation in regulated and high-security verticals such as tobacco, beverages, cosmetics, automotive, mining, and construction. Its value layer is reinforced by proprietary TMS/WMS systems, a GLEC-aligned CO2 calculator, Power BI dashboards, and the Safe-T IoT security solution for high-value shipments.
Product overview
Ahlers Logistics offers a comprehensive suite of logistics services built around a core supply chain management platform. The portfolio is organized as integrated service lines: Transportation (multi-modal forwarding), Customs Services (licensed brokerage), On-Site Logistics (factory/warehouse operations), Secured Transport/Safe-T (IoT-based security solutions), Warehousing (bonded/non-bonded facilities), Project Logistics (heavy machinery and breakbulk), Trade Logistics (Importer of Record, trade facilitation), and Data Analytics including an in-house CO2 calculator and dashboard reporting. These services are delivered through their global office network spanning Europe, CIS, Asia, and North America, supported by a Transport Management System for digital visibility and control.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Safe-T: IoT-based secured transport solution for valuable and theft-sensitive goods using security devices
Products and services
- Supply Chain Solutions
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 30% cost savings in tobacco logistics through secured transport solutions
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ahlers Logistics
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ahlers Logistics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
Ahlers Logistics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.
- Azurite GroupcoreStrategic cooperation agreement combining expertise, networks, and operational capabilities to strengthen service offerings and provide more flexibility for customers moving cargo along the Middle Corridor.
- Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (Uzbekistan)coreMemorandum of Understanding to explore development of a logistics hub in Tashkent or Samarkand, reinforcing commitment at high-level roundtable with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Brussels.
- BE-Trans (now Jost)minorTransfer of container barge transport activities from Germany and France to BE-Trans (now Jost) for approximately 30 customers.
- Philip Morris InternationalcoreFactory logistics partnership enhancing production facilities for PMI with all logistics services supporting factories in Ukraine and Kazakhstan since 2011.
- AMI Global Logistics IndiastrategicAcquisition boosting portfolio to offer greater value, focusing on creating innovative and value-adding solutions for customers.
- Samudera IndonesiaminorTransfer of PT Ahlers Thoeng Indonesia commercial activities to PT Silkargo Indonesia (Samudera Indonesia) as regional partner.
- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ)strategicParticipation in international business conference on Middle Corridor development organized by KTZ in Brussels, addressing transit capacity, railway/port infrastructure modernization, and EU Global Gateway integration.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ahlers Logistics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DACHSER: German family-owned logistics group combining European road transport, air & sea freight forwarding, and contract logistics. Similar privately held, family-influenced mid-size profile and integrated service portfolio.
- Agility Logistics: Kuwait-based global logistics provider with deep emerging-market (Middle East, Africa, CIS) expertise in freight forwarding, project logistics, and customs. Comparable emerging-market specialization and multi-modal portfolio.
- Yusen Logistics: Japan-headquartered global logistics provider with strong Asia-Pacific and emerging-market presence in forwarding, contract logistics, and customs. Directly comparable multi-modal, multi-region offering.
- CEVA Logistics: Global contract logistics and freight management provider with strong project, automotive, and energy verticals. Comparable in offering on-site logistics, customs, and project cargo to industrial customers.
- GEFCO: European-headquartered 3PL specializing in automotive, industrial projects, and finished vehicle logistics with strong CIS/emerging-market footprint. Directly overlaps with Ahlers' project logistics and CIS/Ukraine presence.
- Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: Germany-headquartered, family-influenced mid-size global freight forwarder offering multi-modal transport, contract logistics, and customs services across Europe, CIS, Africa, and Asia. Closely comparable in size, heritage, and geographic spread to Ahlers.
Broad incumbents
- DSV: Danish global transport and logistics group offering road, air & sea, and contract logistics with strong European base and growing project/break-bulk capabilities. Larger, broader incumbent in the same market.
- Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with global multi-modal, contract logistics, and customs services. Competes for the same enterprise customers as Ahlers but at vastly greater scale and broader geographic coverage.
- Nippon Express: Japanese global logistics conglomerate covering forwarding, warehousing, moving, and heavy haul. Larger incumbent with similar project and industrial capabilities across Asian corridors.
Regional players
- Kerry Logistics Network: Asia-headquartered integrated logistics provider with strong China, SE Asia, and intra-Asia forwarding, warehousing, and customs offering. Comparable Asia footprint but primarily Asia-centric versus Ahlers' Europe/CIS base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ahlers Logistics social profiles
Digital presenceAhlers Logistics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Ahlers Logistics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ahlers Logistics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ahlers Logistics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Ahlers Logistics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ahlers Logistics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ahlers Logistics
What does Ahlers Logistics do?
Ahlers Logistics is an end-to-end supply chain solutions provider offering international multi-modal transportation (road, rail, ocean, barge, and air), customs brokerage and trade documentation (including ECTN), bonded and non-bonded warehousing, on-site factory and in-plant logistics, project cargo handling for heavy industry, and secured transport with IoT-enabled tracking. The company serves enterprise customers across Europe, the CIS, Asia, and North America, with particular specialisation in regulated and high-security verticals such as tobacco, beverages, cosmetics, automotive, mining, and construction. Its value layer is reinforced by proprietary TMS/WMS systems, a GLEC-aligned CO2 calculator, Power BI dashboards, and the Safe-T IoT security solution for high-value shipments.
Is Ahlers Logistics a public or private company?
Ahlers Logistics is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ahlers Logistics founded?
Ahlers Logistics was founded in 1909. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ahlers Logistics based?
Ahlers Logistics is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Ahlers Logistics make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Freight Forwarding Services are the primary driver. The others are customs Brokerage, warehousing & Distribution, on-Site Logistics and project Logistics.
Who are Ahlers Logistics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DACHSER, Agility Logistics, Yusen Logistics, CEVA Logistics, GEFCO and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics. Broad incumbents are DSV, Kuehne+Nagel and Nippon Express. Kerry Logistics Network is listed as a regional player.
Does Ahlers Logistics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ahlers Logistics.
What industry is Ahlers Logistics in?
Ahlers Logistics's product category is Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAIAKAJ, Project Cargo Packing, Crating & Securing (Lashing/Dunnage), with a secondary code of TLAEAKAC, Real-Time Operational Visibility & Exception Management. Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.