tibbett+britten unique

What tibbett+britten unique does

tibbett+britten unique ag is a privately held Swiss freight forwarding and logistics company (Aktiengesellschaft) headquartered inside the Cargo Building at Zurich Airport (8058 Zürich-Flughafen). Founded in 1979 and operating with an estimated 11–50 employees (approximately 15 named staff across management, finance, air freight, sea/road, premium logistics, and trainees), the company delivers a multimodal logistics portfolio built around four pillars: Transport (air freight as an independent IATA agent, ocean freight with FCL and LCL options, road transport including LTL/FTL and special runs, courier/express services, and rail transport via the JET-RAIL shuttle train from Far East to Western Europe), Storage (bonded warehouse and high-security vault storage at Zurich Airport with SKR issuance, plus order picking and distribution), Customs Clearance (Authorized Consignee and Authorized Consignor for import and export), and Premium Logistics (secured pickup, on-board courier, and door delivery for luxury goods such as watches and jewelry).

The company serves both B2B customers and private individuals across industry verticals including watches and jewelry (primary), textiles, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, industrial goods, and private individuals. Its revenue model is transaction-fee based on freight movements, customs clearances, and storage engagements, supplemented by professional-services fees for premium handling and vault storage. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct: customers reach the company through service-specific email addresses (e.g., [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]) or by phone, with global reach delivered through memberships in three freight-forwarding networks — WCA (World Cargo Alliance), IFLN (International Freight Logistics Network), and Parnity. Key geographic corridors are Europe–Far East and Europe–Indian subcontinent. There is no proprietary technology platform, no AI/ML capability, no disclosed patents, no external funding, and no publicly disclosed revenue.

Name

tibbett+britten unique

Legal name

Tibbett + Britten Unique AG

Website

https://tbunique.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

tibbett+britten unique ag is a Swiss freight forwarder and logistics provider at Zurich Airport offering air, ocean, rail, and road transport, customs clearance, bonded and vault warehousing, and premium logistics for luxury goods, serving B2B and B2C clients globally via WCA, IFLN, and Parnity networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLACAAAH

High-Value & Secure Air Cargo (Valuables, Security Screening, Escort)

Transportation & Logistics/Freight Forwarding & Customs Brokerage/Air Freight Forwarding

SECONDARYTLADACAB

Intermodal Rail Operators (Container/Trailer-on-Flatcar)

Transportation & Logistics/Freight Transportation (Air, Maritime, Rail, Trucking)/Rail Freight Operators (Class I/Regional/Short Line)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding services
• Air and ocean freight
• Customs clearance
• Bonded warehouse storage
• Premium logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Air Freight Services: Air freight logistics services for time-sensitive, high-value, or delicate goods. As an independent IATA agent, the company accesses all major airlines globally to offer optimal transport capacity and competitive rates.
2. Ocean Freight Services: Sea freight solutions for import and export including Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) options. Regular consolidation services from Far East and Indian subcontinent with fixed departures.
3. Rail Freight Services: Rail transport including JET-RAIL shuttle train service from Far East to Western Europe for LCL and FCL shipments, offering a sustainable alternative to air and ocean freight.
4. Road Transport Services: International truck transport across Europe and worldwide, offering LTL (Less Than Truckload), FTL (Full Truckload), and special/express shipment options.
5. Courier and Express Services: Express courier transport including same-day courier, overnight express, and international courier services for time-sensitive shipments.
6. Storage and Warehouse Services: Secure storage solutions including bonded warehouse and safety warehouse at Zurich Airport for valuable goods, luxury items, and sensitive inventory. Includes order picking, consolidation, and stock control.
7. Customs Clearance Services: Complete customs processing for imports and exports. As Authorized Consignee (AE) and Authorized Consignor (AC), the company handles all customs formalities, documentation, and compliance.
8. Premium Logistics Services: Specialized logistics for luxury goods including secured pickup at home or hotel, on-board courier, safekeeping, customs formalities, and door delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

tibbett+britten unique ag is a Swiss freight forwarder headquartered at Zurich Airport providing end-to-end logistics services across air freight, ocean freight, rail transport (including its JET-RAIL shuttle train service), and road transport, complemented by bonded and high-security warehouse storage, import/export customs clearance, and specialized premium logistics for luxury goods such as watches and jewelry.

Product overview

tibbett+britten unique ag is a Swiss logistics company headquartered at Zurich Airport offering a comprehensive suite of logistics services built around four core pillars: Transport (air freight, ocean freight, rail transport including the JET-RAIL shuttle train service, road transport, and courier/express), Storage (bonded warehouse, secure/vault storage, order picking/fulfillment, and distribution), Customs Clearance (import and export as Authorized Consignee and Consignor), and Premium Logistics (specialized handling for luxury goods such as watches, jewelry, and precious metals with on-board courier and door-to-door services). The company operates industry-specific verticals covering pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, textiles, industry, and private individuals, and serves its global markets through memberships in WCA Family, IFLN, and Parnity networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JET-RAIL: Shuttle train service from Far East to Western Europe for Less Than Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL) shipments - a sustainable alternative to ocean and air freight.

Products and services

• Air Freight Air freight logistics services offering flexible solutions for time-sensitive, high-value, or delicate goods worldwide, with access to all major airlines as an independent IATA agent. For businesses and individuals shipping express or standard air cargo.
• Ocean Freight
• Road Transport
• Rail Transport
• JET-RAIL Shuttle Train Service
• Courier / Express Services
• Bonded Warehouse (Zollfreilager)
• Secure Storage / Safety Warehouse (Sicherheitslager)
• Import Customs Clearance
• Export Customs Clearance
• Premium Logistics
• Industry-Specific Logistics Solutions

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WCA (World Cargo Alliance)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWCA is a global network of independent freight forwarders. tibbett+britten's membership in the WCA Family provides access to a worldwide network of reliable agents and partners, reinforcing the company's international expertise and enabling comprehensive, seamless logistics services globally.
• IFLN (International Freight Logistics Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIFLN is an international freight logistics network. The company's membership in IFLN provides additional global network coverage and enables professional, end-to-end support for logistics chains worldwide.
• ParnitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParnity is a logistics network organization. The company's membership in Parnity complements its international network, providing additional global coverage and reinforcing international expertise for end-to-end logistics support.
• JET-RAIL (Shuttle Train Service)coreOthersJET-RAIL is a shuttle train service from Far East to Western Europe offering LCL and FCL rail transport. tibbett+britten offers this service as a sustainable alternative to air and ocean freight, with fixed departures and optimized routes. The main transport leg uses dedicated block trains, with final delivery by truck. Learn more at www.jet-rail.ch.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest multi-modal freight forwarders (sea, air, road, contract logistics) and a fellow Swiss-headquartered forwarder. Comparable business model and Swiss/European footprint, but vastly larger scale and broader service portfolio than tb-unique.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Deutsche Post DHL's air and ocean freight forwarding division covering all major trade lanes including strong Europe–Asia corridors, plus customs and warehousing. Overlaps tb-unique across every service line but operates at global incumbent scale with integrated express, supply chain, and e-commerce capabilities.
• Agility Logistics: Kuwait-headquartered global forwarder with strong Middle East, Europe, and Asia footprint across air, sea, road, and contract logistics. Comparable multi-modal forwarding model with customs and warehousing, though at materially larger scale than tb-unique.
• CEVA Logistics: CMA CGM-owned global logistics provider offering air/sea/road freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs, and value-added services. Directly comparable service portfolio spanning multimodal forwarding and contract warehousing at significant scale.
• DSV (including legacy Panalpina): Global forwarder with strong Europe–Asia presence following the Panalpina acquisition, offering air/sea/road freight and contract logistics. Particularly comparable because Panalpina was a Swiss-headquartered luxury/specialty forwarder with similar high-end heritage before being absorbed into DSV's platform.

Emerging players

• Flexport: US-based digital-native freight forwarder offering air, ocean, trucking, and customs brokerage with a software-led platform. Competes for the same SMB and mid-market shippers on Europe–Asia lanes that tb-unique serves, but via a fundamentally different technology-first operating model.

Direct peers

• Gebrüder Weiss: Austrian/Swiss-rooted privately-held forwarder offering worldwide air, sea, and land transport plus warehousing and customs. Comparable mid-sized, multi-generational, multi-modal forwarder with strong DACH-region presence and specialized logistics for high-value/sensitive goods.
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: Privately-held German-headquartered mid-to-large multi-modal freight forwarder offering air, sea, road, and rail freight plus customs and warehousing. Closely comparable in mid-size, multi-modal, family/founder-influenced operating model and European centricity.
• Expeditors International: US-listed global air and ocean freight forwarder with customs brokerage and supply chain services, asset-light and direct-sales model. Comparable multi-modal forwarding and customs capabilities with the same IATA-agent-driven air freight go-to-market.
• Fracht AG: Privately-held Swiss international freight forwarder with offices worldwide handling air, sea, road, and project cargo plus customs. Directly comparable Swiss-headquartered mid-sized multi-modal forwarder serving similar Europe–Far East trade lanes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tibbett-britten-unique-ag/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/tibbett.britten

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 tibbett+britten unique