Bulkio
Bulkio is a digital freight-matching platform that connects small and medium-sized bulk-transport carriers across Europe with daily transport orders, primarily originating from its parent company Van den Bosch, using an 80-parameter matching algorithm and a 14-day guaranteed payout model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersErp, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Bulkio does
Bulkio is a digital logistics platform that connects small and medium-sized carriers in the bulk transport sector with guaranteed daily freight orders, primarily those originated by its parent company Van den Bosch, a Dutch bulk logistics operator with over sixty years of experience. The platform operates as a freight-matching marketplace where carriers register online, receive account validation within 24 hours, and are presented each morning with pre-matched transport orders aligned to their fleet capacity and routes. Bulkio is headquartered in Erp, the Netherlands, and serves carriers across eight European countries — the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom — supported by local carrier managers, traders and operations staff.
The core technology is a matching engine that processes over 80 parameters (covering carrier capacity, routes, vehicle type, commodity fit, regional factors and operational constraints) to recommend transport orders that reduce empty kilometres and improve truck utilisation. The product surface comprises the web-based Bulkio Platform, a mobile app providing on-the-road access, a self-billing and automatic-payments module (settling invoices within 14 days), and a bundled "Guaranteed Services" package that codifies six service-level commitments: predictable revenue, transport orders, 24/7 accessibility, expertise, local contacts and 14-day payment. The platform integrates Microsoft single sign-on for authentication and exposes a login API, though no public developer documentation is available.
Bulkio's commercial model is built on transaction-based revenue, taking a fee on the matched transport orders that flow between Van den Bosch (as the principal shipper) and the carrier partners signed up on the platform. The free-to-carrier positioning (no platform fees or hidden charges for hauliers) indicates that monetisation is structurally tied to the underlying freight volume rather than carrier subscriptions. The go-to-market is a hybrid of self-serve platform registration and a sales-led motion for mid-market and enterprise carriers, supplemented by content marketing through the company website, partner story case studies, and a co-branded magazine.
Bulkio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bulkio
- Legal name
- Bulkio
- Website
- https://bulkio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bulkio is a digital freight-matching platform that connects small and medium-sized bulk-transport carriers across Europe with daily transport orders, primarily originating from its parent company Van den Bosch, using an 80-parameter matching algorithm and a 14-day guaranteed payout model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bulkio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Freight Matching Platform
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Liquid Bulk / Tanker Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAL)
Keywords
Where Bulkio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Erp
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bulkio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Transport Order Matching Commission: Bulkio generates revenue by matching carriers with transport orders from Van den Bosch. The platform provides guaranteed daily transport orders, 14-day payout guarantees, and access to a reliable network of bulk logistics work. Carriers can self-bill and receive automatic payments through the platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free platform with no hidden fees for carriers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bulkio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bulkio operates a digital logistics platform that connects small and medium-sized carriers with bulk transport orders, primarily sourced from its parent company Van den Bosch. Each morning, the platform delivers ready-to-go transport orders matched to carriers' capacity and routes via smart algorithms that use over 80 parameters, reducing empty kilometres and maximising truck utilisation. Carriers receive guaranteed daily orders, integrated self-billing, and a 14-day payout guarantee, supported by local carrier managers across eight European countries.
Product overview
Bulkio is a unified digital logistics platform that connects small and medium-sized carriers with guaranteed bulk transport work. The core platform (Bulkio Platform and Bulkio App) provides daily transport order matching, self-billing capabilities, and automatic 14-day payments as integrated features. The Bulkio Guaranteed Services package bundles six core service guarantees: predictable revenue, transport orders, 24/7 accessibility, expertise, local contacts, and payment. Bulkio is part of the Van den Bosch family with over sixty years of logistics experience, moving A-brand goods including food, chemicals, and both dry and liquid bulk cargo.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bulkio Platform A digital logistics platform that connects small and medium-sized carriers with bulk transport orders. It uses smart matching algorithms (80+ parameters) to deliver guaranteed daily transport orders aligned to carrier capacity and routes, providing 24/7 accessibility, real-time updates, smart notifications, self-billing, and 14-day automatic payouts.
- Bulkio App A mobile application giving carriers full access to the Bulkio platform on the road. It enables management of transport orders, receipt of new offers, and real-time updates from anywhere, supporting the platform's 24/7 accessibility promise.
Quantifiable outcome
- Fewer empty kilometres through smart algorithm matching
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Bulkio
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Bulkio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
Bulkio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Romi Sp.z.o.o.flagshipPolish transport company specialising in silo road transport across Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Partner since 2020. Benefits from steady flow of transport orders, quick responses, fast 14-day payments, and strong support during crisis situations.
- Petralups Prod S.R.LflagshipRomanian transport company specialising in liquid chemical transportation. Partner since 2014 with Van den Bosch and more recently with Bulkio. The partnership is characterised by stability, reliability, punctuality, transparency and trust, focused on long-term cooperation.
- Van den BoschcoreBulkio is part of the Van den Bosch family, benefiting from over sixty years of logistics experience and a strong, reliable network. Bulkio moves a wide range of A-brand goods for Van den Bosch, from food to chemicals, from dry to liquid bulk. This partnership provides the foundation for guaranteed transport orders delivered daily to Bulkio carriers.
- Transportes Agustin Riaño S.A.coreSpanish carrier partner operating under the Van den Bosch family. Transports grains, minerals and plastics in bulk to Western European customers in chemical, petrochemical and agri-food sectors. Benefits from peace, security and being part of a family business.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bulkio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Uber Freight: Digital freight brokerage spun out of Uber, serving shippers and carriers across multiple geographies with marketplace matching. Comparable digital-first brokerage model though primarily US-focused and broader in segment coverage.
- Saloodo: DHL's digital freight platform connecting shippers with road hauliers across Europe. Comparable matching and broker services but as part of DHL's broad logistics portfolio, with materially larger scale and resources than Bulkio.
- Truckstop.com: Long-established North American freight matching and load board platform serving carriers and brokers. Comparable marketplace business model to Bulkio though primarily US-focused and general freight rather than bulk-specialised.
Direct peers
- Trans.eu: European freight marketplace and Transport Management System provider offering a digital platform to match carriers with shippers. Highly comparable to Bulkio in marketplace mechanics, with stronger geographic breadth across Central and Eastern Europe.
- Timocom: One of Europe's largest digital freight exchanges, connecting carriers with available loads across multiple countries. Directly comparable business model to Bulkio - both operate carrier-facing freight marketplaces - though Timocom is far broader in scope and not bulk-specialised.
- 123cargo: Dutch-based European freight exchange connecting carriers and forwarders to available loads. Directly comparable marketplace model to Bulkio, with similar Benelux/DACH geographic orientation and SMB carrier focus.
- Cargoclix: German-headquartered digital freight exchange operating across Europe with a slot/time-window model. Comparable digital marketplace for matching carriers with loads, though its specialisation lies more in contract logistics than bulk.
- Teleroute: European freight exchange operated by Alpega Group, connecting carriers and shippers across road freight. Comparable to Bulkio in core matching service, with deeper haulier network but less specialisation in bulk commodities.
Emerging players
- Loadsmart: Digital freight broker using automation and data to match truckload capacity with shipper demand. Comparable tech-enabled brokerage model though predominantly US-based and focused on containerised/FTL freight rather than bulk.
- Freightos: Digital marketplace for international freight including ocean, air, and trucking. Comparable digital marketplace for freight matching, though Bulkio is bulk-trucking-focused while Freightos spans multiple modes and geographies.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bulkio social profiles
Digital presenceBulkio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bulkio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Bulkio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bulkio 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 Bulkio
What does Bulkio do?
Bulkio operates a digital logistics platform that connects small and medium-sized carriers with bulk transport orders, primarily sourced from its parent company Van den Bosch. Each morning, the platform delivers ready-to-go transport orders matched to carriers' capacity and routes via smart algorithms that use over 80 parameters, reducing empty kilometres and maximising truck utilisation. Carriers receive guaranteed daily orders, integrated self-billing, and a 14-day payout guarantee, supported by local carrier managers across eight European countries.
Is Bulkio a public or private company?
Bulkio is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Bulkio founded?
Bulkio was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bulkio based?
Bulkio is headquartered in Erp, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Bulkio make money?
One revenue line is on record: transport Order Matching Commission.
Who are Bulkio's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Uber Freight, Saloodo and Truckstop.com. Direct peers are Trans.eu, Timocom, 123cargo, Cargoclix and Teleroute. Emerging players are Loadsmart and Freightos.
Does Bulkio have an API?
Yes. Bulkio provides an API endpoint for authentication (https://app.bulkio.com/api/account/loginWithMicrosoft), indicating the existence of an API infrastructure. However, no public API documentation, developer portal, SDK details, or API capabilities are described in the available source material.
What industry is Bulkio in?
Bulkio's product category is Digital Freight Matching Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADAMAL, Liquid Bulk / Tanker Freight Brokerage. Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.