KAHL group

What KAHL group does

KAHL Group is a family-owned German heavy lift and project logistics provider founded in 1953 and headquartered in Moers. The company delivers end-to-end transport, lifting, storage, and installation services for oversized and overweight cargo that exceeds standard road and rail limits, serving industrial customers in wind energy, power transformer manufacturing, automotive production, and bridge/infrastructure construction. It operates across eight German branch locations and runs the multimodal Heavy Lift Terminal Duisburg (rail, road, waterway) together with a second facility in Dresden, holding ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (GREEN Logistics), SCC**, and AEOF certifications.

The core technology stack is a capital-intensive fleet of 150 vehicle units, 250 axle lines including 120 SPMT axle lines, and specialized equipment including the world's unique Side-truss Bridge G² | K600 (600t payload, co-developed with Goldhofer and Greiner) and an innovative Jack-up System with 4,000t total lifting capacity. Storage capacity totals 50,000 sqm open and 22,000 sqm covered space, complemented by the stationary LEO crane (300t capacity) at the Duisburg terminal. The group is structured around KAHL SCHWERLAST GmbH (primary entity) and wholly-owned subsidiaries KAHL + JANSEN Schwerlast GmbH, KAHL & JANSEN GmbH, PIEPER Schwertransporte GmbH, and KAHL & JANSEN Schwerlast-Montagen GmbH, with a jointly controlled interest in the Heavy Lift Terminal Duisburg.

Revenue is generated through custom, project-based contracts priced on cargo specifications, route complexity, permits, and equipment requirements, sold via direct enterprise field sales with engineering consultation. The company sells into multiple verticals without disclosed named customers, and is led by second-generation owners Andreas Kahl and Rainer Kahl. There is no public revenue disclosure, no external funding rounds, and no parent company, indicating organic, family-funded growth underpinned by serial add-on acquisitions and equipment co-development partnerships with manufacturers such as Goldhofer.

Name

KAHL group

Legal name

KAHL SCHWERLAST GmbH

Website

https://kahl-schwerlast.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KAHL Group is a family-owned German heavy lift and project logistics provider, founded in 1953, specializing in oversized cargo transport, lifting, storage, and installation for wind energy, industrial manufacturing, automotive, and infrastructure customers across eight German locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy Transport and Project Logistics

NAICS

Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (484230), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Trailer & Heavy Transport Equipment Providers (SPMT, Lowboy, Multi-Axle) (TLADAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Heavy Haul / Oversize / Specialized Equipment TL Carriers (TLADADAI), Power Generation & Grid Equipment Transport (Transformers, Turbines) (TLADAGAK), Heavy Machinery & Oversized Equipment (Cranes, Excavators, Presses) (TLACAIAH), Industrial Plants & Process Equipment (EPC/Turnkey Projects) (TLACAIAA)

Keywords

• Heavy transport logistics
• Project cargo services
• Oversized load transport
• Heavy lift cranes
• Multimodal freight solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Moers

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Heavy Transport Services: Core revenue from specialized heavy cargo transport including project logistics, haulage solutions, and multimodal transport combinations. Revenue generated through project-based contracts for oversized and heavy cargo transportation across various industries.
2. Crane Provision Services: Provision of cranes for lifting operations, including the stationary heavy lift crane 'LEO' at the Duisburg terminal with 300 tonne capacity
3. Storage and Warehousing: Storage services at terminals including 50,000 sqm free storage and 22,000 sqm covered warehouses at various locations
4. Installation and Assembly: Heavy lift installation and assembly services including jack-up system operations for bridge construction and industrial installations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

KAHL Group provides end-to-end heavy lift and oversized cargo logistics for industrial enterprises. Core services include project logistics planning, haulage of overweight/oversized loads via SPMT and specialized trailers, crane provision, terminal storage, and precision installation using a proprietary 4,000-tonne Jack-up System and the world's unique 600-tonne Side-truss Bridge G² | K600. Operations are supported by 10 German locations, multimodal terminal access (rail, road, waterway), and certified compliance (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SCC**, AEOF).

Product overview

KAHL Group is a German heavy transport and logistics company offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialized services for oversized and heavy cargo. The core offering centers on Project Logistics and Haulage Solutions supported by a state-of-the-art vehicle fleet comprising over 150 vehicle units, 250 axle lines, and 120 axle lines of SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporter) capacity. Key specialized equipment includes the Jack-up System (4,000t lifting capacity), the globally unique Side-truss Bridge G² | K600 (600t payload), and the Goldhofer FT SERIES trailers. Service capabilities span the entire project lifecycle including feasibility studies, permits, transport, weighing systems, industrial packaging, and installation. The company operates two heavy lift terminals (Duisburg and Dresden) with storage capacity of 50,000 m² outdoor and 22,000 m² covered space, featuring the stationary 'LEO' crane (300t capacity). Additional specialized services include skidding systems, fly-over bridge systems, and transport escort services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Heavylift Terminal Duisburg (HTD): Heavy lift terminal operated at Duisburg port, offering storage, packaging, assembly, and heavy cargo handling with multimodal connections (rail, road, waterway).
• LEO
• G² | K600

Products and services

• Project Logistics End-to-end logistics solutions for complex heavy cargo projects, including planning, execution, and coordination of multimodal transport operations for industrial enterprise customers.
• Haulage Solutions Comprehensive transport solutions for oversized and heavy cargo utilizing KAHL's specialized vehicles and equipment combinations, including SPMT, low loaders, vessel decks, and high girder bridges.
• Provision of Cranes Crane rental and provision services for heavy lifting operations, including the stationary heavy lift crane 'LEO' with up to 300 tonnes capacity at the Heavy Lift Terminal Duisburg.
• Storage Heavy cargo storage services with 50,000 m² outdoor storage and 22,000 m² covered warehouse facilities across the group's terminal locations.
• Installation Professional installation services for heavy cargo, including precision positioning and assembly of industrial equipment and bridge components.
• Jack-up System Innovative lifting system consisting of four individually positionable towers (expandable to eight) with total lifting capacity of 4,000 tonnes, used for bridge construction and heavy lifting projects.
• Heavy Lift Terminal Duisburg Multimodal heavy cargo terminal with rail, road, and waterway connections, featuring stationary crane 'LEO' (up to 300t), storage, packaging, and assembly capabilities at Duisburg port.
• Terminal Dresden Heavy cargo terminal facility in Dresden providing storage, handling, and logistics services.
• Vehicle Fleet Services State-of-the-art vehicle fleet deployment including semi-trailer trucks, loader cranes, sloping loaders, semi-low loaders, low loaders, vessel decks, transformer bridges, high girder bridges, self-propelled trailers (SPMT), heavy-duty modules, and blade lifters.
• Feasibility Studies Technical and logistical feasibility assessments for complex heavy transport projects.
• Permits Acquisition Permit acquisition and management services for oversized and heavy transport operations in Germany and Europe.

Quantifiable outcome

• Total lifting capacity of 4,000 tonnes with jack-up system
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH (SBO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2017Multimodal logistics cooperation between KAHL Group and Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH (SBO) established June 1, 2017. The partnership bundles competencies and links service offerings for comprehensive solutions in transport, storage, handling, packaging, and project logistics. Both companies are multimodal-oriented logistics providers with diverse service offerings.
• Goldhofer AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partnership with Goldhofer AG, Memmingen, for specialized transport equipment. KAHL invested in 38 axle lines of Goldhofer's new 'FT SERIES' modular transporter series in 2022. Most notably, jointly developed the world's unique Seitenträgerbrücke G² | K600 side girder bridge with 600 tonnes payload capacity, unveiled in 2015.
• GreinercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partner in the creation of the Seitenträgerbrücke G² | K600 side girder bridge alongside Goldhofer AG. The bridge represents pioneering development in heavy cargo transport equipment.
• Heavylift Terminal Duisburg GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of the Heavy Lift Terminal Duisburg (HTD) since 2010. The terminal provides multimodal logistics with rail, road, and waterway connections for heavy cargo handling, storage, packaging, assembly, and heavy cargo transshipment.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves18 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sarens: Belgian global leader in crane rental and heavy transport with extensive SPMT, modular trailer, and jack-up capabilities. Comparable to KAHL on wind energy transformer, petrochemical, and infrastructure installation projects worldwide.
• Mammoet: Global Dutch heavy lifting and transport specialist operating SPMT fleets, jack-up systems, and cranes across energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects. Most direct large-scale international competitor to KAHL on heavy lift and oversized transport.
• Felbermayr Group: Austrian heavy lift and transport group offering crane rental, heavy haulage, and civil engineering services across Central Europe. Closely comparable to KAHL in DACH-region project logistics, transformer handling, and wind logistics.

Direct peers

• Kübler Schwerlast: German heavy transport specialist focused on oversized and overweight cargo using SPMT and modular trailers. Direct competitor to KAHL in the German heavy haulage market.
• Hörmann Heavy Logistics: German heavy haulage company specializing in oversized industrial transport, transformers, and machinery. Comparable German peer for industrial and energy logistics work.
• Van der Vlist: Dutch heavy and abnormal load transport specialist with extensive European coverage, SPMT operations, and multimodal terminal access. Closely comparable to KAHL on oversized cargo, transformer logistics, and cross-border heavy haulage.
• Universal Transport: German heavy haulage specialist with SPMT fleet and oversized load capability, focused on industrial machinery, energy, and construction logistics. Direct competitor for KAHL's German project logistics business.
• Schmidbauer Group: German heavy transport and crane service provider with nationwide branch network and SPMT expertise. Comparable German peer with similar customer segments in wind energy and industrial projects.

Others

• Goldhofer AG: German manufacturer of heavy-duty and modular transport vehicles (SPMT, FT SERIES, blade transport devices) and KAHL's key equipment partner. Both jointly developed the G² | K600 side-truss bridge; relevant as equipment supplier and indirect competitor through its transport services arm.

Regional players

• Coli Shipping Heavy Lift: Dutch/European project cargo forwarder specializing in heavy lift and breakbulk forwarding including oversized industrial equipment. Comparable to KAHL's freight forwarding and project logistics activities but primarily operating as broker/forwarder.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kahlgroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/kahlunternehmensgruppe

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 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 KAHL group