Karl Schmidt Spedition

What Karl Schmidt Spedition does

Karl Schmidt Spedition GmbH & Co. KG, operating as SCHMIDT Group, is a family-owned German bulk logistics company founded in 1948 in Heilbronn. The company specializes in the transportation, storage, and handling of dry bulk goods, with a particular focus on plastic granules, polymers, petrochemicals, and chemicals. It operates the largest network of logistics centers for bulk plastics goods in Europe, spanning 49 locations worldwide with approximately 2,500 employees, a fleet of 1,300+ vehicles, 7,000 containers, and 1,400+ high silos providing ~170,000 m² of warehouse capacity. The company processes more than 1,000 transport orders daily and serves major petrochemical customers including LyondellBasell, Dow, Sabic, Borealis, LG Chem, Rusvinyl, and Sumitomo Chemical Europe through embedded on-site logistics operations.

The company's service portfolio spans the full logistics value chain, including silo and container transport, import/export handling, intermodal transport (rail and road), specialized bulk storage, product handling services (optical sorting, homogenizing, mechanical filtration, metal separation, drying, dedusting), tank cleaning, maintenance and repair, and food-grade logistics under the Schmidt Food Logistics (SFL) sub-brand. Operations are supported by a proprietary forwarding software system integrating transportation, warehousing, and handling operations with telematics, and the company maintains a dense stack of industry certifications including ISO 9001/14001/45001/39001, SQAS, GMP+, AEO, IFS Food, and Responsible Care membership. Technology investments include AI-supported forklift camera systems for safety and LNG-powered vehicles for reduced emissions.

The business model is asset-heavy and contract-based, generating revenue through transaction fees on transport services, recurring storage and warehousing fees at its logistics centers, professional services fees for product handling, and managed-services/EPC contracts for logistics infrastructure development. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting petrochemical and chemical producers, supported by joint ventures in Saudi Arabia (SCHMIDT KADADA), Germany (European Bulk Hub Duisburg with Imperial, MKL with Finsterwalder, mst with Quarzwerke), and India (Repono MOU). The company closed underperforming branches in the UK, Hungary, and Slovakia at end-2025 and is expanding into Central Asia via a major EPC contract for Kazakhstan petrochemical logistics in 2026.

Name

Karl Schmidt Spedition

Legal name

KARL SCHMIDT SPEDITION GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://schmidt-heilbronn.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Karl Schmidt Spedition is a family-owned German bulk logistics provider (founded 1948) operating 49 sites worldwide with 2,500 employees, serving major petrochemical and chemical producers with transport, storage, and handling of dry bulk goods including polymers and plastic granules.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bulk Logistics Services

NAICS

Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (484230)

akta.pro primary industry

Dry Bulk (Hopper/Pneumatic) TL Carriers (TLADADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Port/Terminal Heavy Cargo Handling & Stevedoring (Heavy Crane Ops) (TLAIAKAD)

Keywords

• Bulk logistics services
• Dry bulk transport
• Silo truck transport
• Bulk goods warehousing
• Tank cleaning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Heilbronn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Transport Services: Core freight and logistics services for dry bulk goods using silo trucks and silo containers. Revenue generated through transportation fees based on volume, distance, and type of cargo.
2. Storage and Warehousing: Bulk storage services in company's network of logistics centers and silos across Europe. Revenue from warehouse storage fees.
3. Product Handling Services: Specialized handling services including cleaning, maintenance, optical sorting, homogenizing, mechanical filtration, metal separation, product drying, vacuum tanker, and dedusting.
4. Logistics Infrastructure Development: EPC contracts for construction of logistics complexes and terminals as part of major petrochemical projects (e.g., Kazakhstan Silleno project).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Karl Schmidt Spedition (SCHMIDT Group) is a European bulk logistics provider that transports, stores, and handles dry bulk goods such as plastic granules, polymers, chemicals, and food ingredients using silo trucks and containers. It also operates warehousing/silo networks, tank cleaning, and specialized product-handling services, and designs and builds bulk logistics installations.

Product overview

Karl Schmidt Spedition operates as a leading European bulk logistics provider offering a comprehensive suite of services centered around transport, storage, and handling of bulk dry goods. The company's core offering comprises Transport Services (using container fleets, silo vehicles, and gas transports), Import & Export operations, Logistics Solutions, Warehousing for Bulk Goods, Product Handling, Tank Cleaning, Maintenance & Repair, and Information Technology (proprietary forwarding software). The portfolio extends into specialized services including Optical Sorting, Mobile Belt Thrower, Homogenizing, Mechanical Filtration, Electronic Metal Separation, Product Drying, Vacuum Tanker, and Dedusting. The SCHMIDT Group also operates Schmidt Food Logistics (SFL) as a food-grade logistics sub-brand with GMP+ and IFS certifications, and provides intermodal transport solutions. Technology innovations include AI-supported forklift cameras for safety and LNG vehicles for sustainable operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SCHMIDT Food Logistics (SFL): Food-grade logistics services division handling transport of sugar, salt, rice, cornmeal, grain and malt for food industry, as well as GMP+ certified feed handling.
• SCHMIDT Gas Transporter

Products and services

• Transport Services Core freight and logistics services for dry bulk goods using silo trucks and silo containers, serving petrochemical, chemical, and food customers. Forms the main business of the SCHMIDT Group.
• Gas Transports Specialized transport services for technical and medical gases (bulk and cylinder) using appropriate tank vehicles, marketed under the SCHMIDT Gas Transporter brand.
• Import and Export Complete import and export handling services from a single source for international bulk logistics operations.
• Logistics Solutions Customized full-service logistics solutions designed specifically for customer requirements as a complete outsourced offering for industrial customers.
• Warehousing for Bulk Goods Bulk storage services across the largest network of logistics centers and silos in the European bulk goods sector for plastics, providing extensive storage capacity.
• Product Handling Full service chain from production to processing covering all handling aspects of bulk materials for industrial customers.
• Tank Cleaning Interior cleaning services for silo vehicles, a critical quality-chain element for bulk goods transport, offered at SQAS-certified cleaning stations across multiple locations.
• Maintenance and Repair In-house workshops at multiple locations providing repairs, inspections, and maintenance for the vehicle and equipment fleet.
• Optical Sorting Specialized service to recover the highest purity level from bulk goods that are not specification-compliant or are mixed with foreign substances.
• Mobile Belt Thrower (Granulate Spreader) Mobile granulate spreader for rear-loading operations on all standard 20' and 40' overseas containers.
• Homogenizing Mixing and homogenizing of various granulate quantities (e.g., irregular product batches) to achieve consistent quality.
• Mechanical Filtration (Sieving) Separation of various granulate or powder fractions including foreign particles, different grain sizes, and husks.
• Electronic Metal Separation Removal of all magnetic and non-magnetic metals (including metal inclusions) from particle sizes starting at 1 mm.
• Product Drying Drying of wet granulate products with surface moisture content.
• Vacuum Tanker Suction service for extracting materials from customer silos or accident vehicles.
• Dedusting (Wind Sifting) Separation of dusts and angel hair from granulate products achieving residual dust values of max. 30 ppm.
• Schmidt Food Logistics (SFL) Food-grade bulk logistics division handling transport and storage of sugar, salt, rice, cornmeal, grain, and malt for the food industry, with GMP+ and IFS certifications.
• Intermodal Transport Combined rail and road transport solutions that reduce CO2 emissions, with participation in the KV 4.0 data hub and partnerships with kombiverkehr and Lineas.
• Logistics Infrastructure Development (EPC) Engineering, procurement, and construction of logistics complexes and terminals as part of major petrochemical projects, e.g., the Silleno polyethylene logistics complex in Kazakhstan.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO₂ reduction of 37,000 tons annually through intermodal transport
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Silleno LLPflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026EPC contract signed for construction of a high-tech logistics complex as part of polyethylene plant project in Atyrau region, Kazakhstan. The complex will handle up to 1.25 million tonnes of polyethylene pellets per year, including packaging, storage, and subsequent shipment to customers via rail and road transport. SCHMIDT Group as one of the leading international dry bulk logistics operators provides full project execution.
• kombiverkehrcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2024Intensified collaboration in intermodal transport. Active participation in KV 4.0 data hub for efficiency and transparency. In 2025, collaboration resulted in CO₂ savings of 18,570 tons. Kombiverkehr accounts for approximately 50% of SCHMIDT's total intermodal volume.
• KADADA (Al Otaishan Group)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2023Joint venture SCHMIDT KADADA Logistics established to construct and operate bulk storage terminal in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Total site area of 75,000 m² with Phase 1 covering 50,000 m² including parking, offices, silos, warehouse (22,000 m²), and container storage for 500-650 containers. Phase 2 provides expansion option.
• Repono Private LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2022MOU signed for Indian market partnership. Repono provides Operations and Maintenance services for warehouses and logistics platforms in India, handling over 3 million MT of polymers and chemicals annually. SCHMIDT to deliver engineering and design solutions for world-class logistics platforms.
• LineascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2020Partnership to intensify intermodal traffic in Langweid-Foret. New Lineas Xpress-train service enables SCHMIDT to offer rail solutions to other companies and shift goods from road to rail. Benefits particularly for shipments from/to Augsburg region to/from England, Ireland, Portugal and Scandinavia.
• CDN (Container Depot Nürnberg GmbH)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2020Joined KTHN (Kombi Terminal Heilbronn) joint venture to connect Heilbronn to ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven. KTHN is a joint venture between W. Wüst GmbH & Co. KG, Karl Schmidt Spedition, and CDN (for IGS Hamburg).
• Quarzwerke GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201350% partnership in mst Mineral-Speditions- und Transport-GmbH in Kerpen, Germany. Remaining 50% held by Quarzwerke.
• ImperialcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012European Bulk Hub Duisburg joint venture company established for handling, warehousing and transport of dry bulk goods at Duisburg harbor facility.
• Finsterwalder Transport & LogistikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004MKL (Mitteldeutsche Kunststofflogistik) joint venture established in Schkopau for warehousing and logistics services for local DOW polyolefin production line.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Suttons Group: UK-headquartered international bulk logistics provider with silos, ISO tanks, and warehousing for chemicals. Comparable product set though smaller; geographic complement to Schmidt in British Isles.
• Hoyer Group: Hamburg-based family-run bulk logistics specialist with chemical, gas, and food-grade transport. Similar mid-sized European family-owned profile, though stronger in liquid bulk and ISO tank containers.
• Talke Group: German family-owned chemical and petrochemical logistics specialist with comparable silo transport, on-site logistics, and tank cleaning offerings. Closest like-for-like competitor in European dry bulk chemicals.
• Den Hartogh Logistics: Dutch bulk logistics specialist for chemicals, gases, polymers, and food with pan-European terminals. Direct overlap in dry bulk polymer and chemical logistics, particularly intermodal container operations.
• Leschaco (Lexzau, Scharbau GmbH & Co. KG): German chemical logistics provider offering tank container, silo, and warehousing services for chemicals and petrochemicals globally. Overlaps directly with Schmidt's core petrochemical customer base and service portfolio.
• De Boer Transport & Logistics: Dutch bulk road transport and warehousing specialist active in chemicals, plastics, and food. Comparable mid-sized European footprint serving similar verticals with silo/container equipment.
• Bertschi AG: Swiss-headquartered global dry bulk and container logistics provider specializing in polymers and chemicals with intermodal terminals. Highly comparable customer base (BASF, Dow, Sabic) and similar silo/container-heavy model.

Broad incumbents

• Greif Inc: US-listed global industrial packaging and container services company with bulk handling and logistics adjacencies. Compares as a broader incumbent in industrial bulk flows, though primarily packaging rather than pure transport.
• Rhenus Logistics: German-headquartered global logistics platform (part of Rethmann Group) with chemical logistics, warehousing, and contract logistics capabilities. Wider service portfolio but direct overlap in European chemical bulk storage and transport.
• Imperial Logistics: Large African-headquartered logistics group with European bulk chemical operations (already a JV partner with Schmidt at Duisburg). Broader portfolio across contract logistics and freight, but directly competes in bulk chemicals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KarlSchmidtSpedition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schmidt---transporte

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries15 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 Karl Schmidt Spedition