Stephani Forwarding

What Stephani Forwarding does

Stephani Forwarding (legal entity: STEPHANI Spedition GmbH) is a Bremen-based contract logistics and freight forwarding provider founded in 1920. The company operates a single 34,000 sqm facility with 22,500 sqm of hall space, 25 loading ramps, approximately 26,500 pallet positions, 1,500 shelving positions, and a newly added high-bay warehouse with roughly 4,000 additional storage spaces. The site has been progressively modernized between 2019 and 2024 with new roofing, LED lighting, and industrial flooring across halls A, B, C, and D.

The service portfolio spans warehousing, e-commerce and contract logistics, fulfillment (B2C/B2B/D2C), road/air/sea freight, container unloading and cross-docking, import and export customs clearance (including authorized consignee status and ATLAS electronic declarations), kitting and display assembly, and rework. Supporting these services is a configurable Warehouse Management Software with open API, CSV, XML, and Excel interfaces; Plentymarkets-based marketplace integrations for Amazon, eBay, Otto, and Aldi Online; automated customs declaration for courier/express/parcel shipments; and the PUZZLE palletizing algorithm developed by the Fraunhofer Institute.

Stephani generates revenue through contract-based logistics services (subscription/recurring and managed services), freight forwarding transactions, customs clearance professional services, and value-added services such as kitting and rework, with quote-based pricing tailored per customer. GTM is sales-led via phone, email, and website inquiry forms. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bionatic Group following a 2022 acquisition, and since April 2024 has operated all warehouse logistics for sister companies Greenbox and Ecoware. External customers include major brand partners DHL, GLS, Blaupunkt, Borgers, Leifheit, Sharp, Toshiba, Vestel, and Einhell, with international reach supported by agents and representatives in 14 countries across Europe and Asia. Headcount is approximately 40.

Name

Stephani Forwarding

Legal name

STEPHANI Spedition GmbH

Website

https://stephani-spedition.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stephani Forwarding is a Bremen-based 3PL and freight forwarder offering warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, customs clearance, and road/air/sea freight. Founded 1920, it operates 34,000 sqm of facilities (~28,000 storage positions) and is a subsidiary of Bionatic Group since 2022.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Logistics and Freight Forwarding

NAICS

General Warehousing and Storage (49311), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

E-commerce & Omnichannel Fulfillment Centers (Non-Temp Controlled) (TLALAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Value-Added Warehousing Services (Kitting, Labeling, Repack, Light Assembly) (TLALAAAL), General Cargo Air Freight Forwarding (Airport-to-Airport / Door-to-Door) (TLACAAAA), Shipping Management, Labeling & Carrier Integration (Multi-Carrier) (TLAEACAE)

Keywords

• Contract logistics services
• Warehousing and fulfillment
• International freight forwarding
• Customs clearance services
• Warehouse management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Logistics Services: Long-term contract-based logistics services including warehousing, storage, and fulfillment for e-commerce and stationary retail customers. The company emphasizes partnership relationships with customers.
2. Fulfillment and Logistics Operations: E-commerce fulfillment services including inbound logistics, warehousing, order picking, outbound logistics, and returns management for B2C, B2B, and D2C models.
3. Value-Added Services: Additional services including kitting, display assembly, rework, seasonal goods handling, and specialized logistics solutions.
4. Transportation and Freight Services: Road freight (groupage, LTL, FTL), air freight, and sea freight (LCL, FCL) services for national and international transport.
5. Customs Clearance Services: Import and export customs clearance services, including authorized consignee services, T1 transit deliveries, and open customs and bonded warehouse operations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Stephani Spedition provides warehousing and contract logistics on its 34,000 sqm Bremen facility, including e-commerce and B2B/B2C/D2C fulfillment with marketplace integration, road/air/sea freight forwarding, import-export customs clearance, container unloading and cross-docking, kitting and display assembly, rework services, and a flexible warehouse management system (WMS) with open API and file-based interfaces.

Product overview

Stephani Spedition is a logistics company offering a unified platform of warehousing, contract logistics, and transportation services. The core offering consists of E-Commerce/Contract Logistics and Flexible Warehouse Management Software, complemented by specialized modules including Fulfillment Logistics, Promotional/Seasonal Logistics, Road/Air/Sea Freight, Container Handling/Cross Docking, Import & Export Customs Clearance, Kitting & Display Assembly, and Rework services. System Interfaces provide open API and file-based integration capabilities. The company also offers sustainability services through Climate Safe 360 for carbon offset. Under the Bionatic Group (parent company acquired in 2022), Stephani manages warehouse logistics for Greenbox and Ecoware sustainable packaging brands. Key integrations include Plentymarkets connecting to Amazon, eBay, Otto, and Aldi Online, CEP services for automated shipping, and Greenbox digital infrastructure for supply chain transparency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• E-Commerce / Contract Logistics Custom logistics and e-commerce solutions for online retailers including warehousing, order processing, and distribution with technically integrated processes and marketplace connections to Amazon, eBay, Otto, and Aldi Online via Plentymarkets.
• Fulfillment Logistics Efficient fulfillment and logistics solutions for B2C, B2B, and D2C channels including optimized warehousing, inbound logistics, cost-efficient outbound logistics, and professional returns management.
• Road, Air, and Sea Freight Global transport solutions including road freight (groupage, LTL, FTL), air freight for time-critical shipments, and sea freight (LCL, FCL) for worldwide supply chain.
• Container Unloading and Cross Docking Container trucking, inbound handling, goods inspection, cross-docking, quality inspection, and intelligent palletizing using the PUZZLE system developed by the Fraunhofer Institute.
• Import and Export Customs Clearance Import and export customs clearance services including authorized consignee status for T1 transit deliveries, open customs and bonded warehouse, and automated customs declarations via the ATLAS electronic customs system.
• Kitting and Display Assembly Professional kitting and display assembly services for retail and promotional campaigns, including display stocking, bundle packing, custom labeling with barcodes, and repacking services.
• Flexible Warehouse Management Software Flexible, scalable, and future-proof warehouse management system enabling dynamically configurable workflows with multiple packaging levels, CEP integration, automated customs declaration, and customizable process design for inbound, stock, and outbound management.
• System Interfaces Open and customizable interfaces for logistics processes including manual imports via Excel, CSV, XML formats, and API access for product master data management, automated order processing, returns management, and inventory management.
• Promotional Logistics and Order Picking Seasonal goods handling and flexible warehousing solutions with targeted space allocation, flexible layout options, optimized warehouse logistics, scalable solutions, and rapid availability of goods.
• Rework Services Professional rework services including product reconditioning, repackaging, redesign, and proper environmentally-friendly disposal of damaged or unsellable goods.

Quantifiable outcome

• Storage capacity of approximately 26,500 pallet spaces and 1,500 shelving spaces
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bionatic GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Stephani Spedition was acquired by Bionatic Group in 2022. Bionatic Group is a consortium of sustainable companies focused on eco-friendly packaging solutions, headquartered in Bremen. Stephani provides in-house logistics capabilities for the group.
• Greenbox GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Sister company under Bionatic Group, specialized in sustainable packaging for gastronomy and retail. Stephani handles entire warehouse logistics for Greenbox with full WMS integration.
• Ecoware GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Sister company under Bionatic Group, provider of eco-conscious products for foodservice sector. Stephani handles all warehouse and import logistics.
• GLSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics partner for climate-friendly shipping options. GLS provides eco-conscious delivery options to minimize transport-related emissions.
• DHLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics partner for climate-friendly shipping and delivery options. DHL provides international shipping capabilities with eco-conscious options.
• Climate Safe 360minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental initiative through which Stephani offsets all CO2 emissions from raw material sourcing and production through operations and transportation via global environmental projects.
• International Representative Offices and AgentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal network of representative offices and agents established in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Turkey, Spain, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Netherlands, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Portugal for international logistics operations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DHL Supply Chain (Deutsche Post DHL Group): Global contract logistics leader and existing partner of Stephani for parcel delivery; broad incumbent with overlapping warehousing, fulfillment, and value-added services across all of Stephani's customer segments.
• DSV A/S: Large global freight forwarder and contract logistics operator; direct overlap in air/sea/road freight forwarding and warehousing, with a comparable European corridor focus.
• DB Schenker: Major European freight forwarder and contract logistics provider with comprehensive land, air, and ocean freight plus warehousing — overlapping with Stephani's broader service portfolio at meaningfully larger scale.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global top-tier Swiss-headquartered freight forwarder and contract logistics provider; broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in air/sea/road freight forwarding and contract logistics.
• DACHSER: Large German logistics provider with road freight, contract logistics, and warehousing; broader portfolio and substantially larger scale but overlapping customer segments in retail and B2B fulfillment.
• CEVA Logistics: Global 3PL with extensive contract logistics, freight forwarding, and value-added services. Comparable on service mix (warehousing, customs, cross-docking, e-commerce fulfillment) but at substantially larger scale.
• Geodis: Global logistics provider with strong European contract logistics and freight forwarding presence; overlapping capabilities in warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, customs, and value-added services.

Direct peers

• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: German-headquartered global logistics provider offering air, sea, and road freight forwarding plus contract logistics. Comparable on freight forwarding arrangement, warehousing, and customs capabilities, with significantly larger scale.
• FIEGE Logistik: German family-owned contract logistics and e-commerce fulfillment provider with comparable mid-sized European footprint, value-added services (kitting, display), and similar customer segments in retail and e-commerce. Strongly comparable in business model and scale.
• Rhenus Logistics: German contract logistics specialist with warehousing, customs, and multi-modal transport services. Direct match on contract logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, and value-added services model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/business/gdpr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stephani-spedition-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Stephani Forwarding