Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG

What Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG does

Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG is a third-generation, family-owned timber and wood-packaging company headquartered in Bremen, Germany, founded in 1878. Operating across four vertically integrated service lines (timber trade and import, wood packaging production, export packaging services, and storage and logistics), the company serves industrial manufacturers, timber and building-materials traders, and logistics-sector customers in Germany and internationally, with timber sourced from Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Eastern Europe and export-packaging dispatch and on-site services delivered at major European seaports (Bremen, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Antwerp, Rotterdam) and customer premises.

Core operations rest on certified, physically intensive capabilities: ISPM 15-compliant heat treatment (HT) and kiln drying (KD), an IMA Schelling fh4 panel-sizing saw for cuts up to 5000 x 2500 mm, CAD-based packaging development with reusable kit designs, and on-site export packaging for heavy machinery and project cargo. The company operates EPAL-licensed pallet production, HPE-certified packaging manufacturing, and LBA RegB-regulated air-freight packaging, and is FSC- and PEFC-certified for sustainable sourcing. The 60,000 sqm Bremen-Woltmershausen site (including 10,000 sqm of packaging halls added in 2015) supports storage (approx. 60,000 sqm total), handling (16-tonne forklift, 12.5-tonne crane), and the wholly-owned subsidiary CG Industrielogistik GmbH & Co. KG (founded 2020).

Commercial activity is sales-led and enterprise-focused: long-tail timber sales via direct enquiries are complemented by account-managed relationships with industrial manufacturers (B2B project packaging, machinery export), timber and building-materials traders (panel reselling, custom cut-to-size), and logistics buyers (warehousing, handling, LBA-regulated air cargo). Pricing is quote-based by product type, dimensions, treatment, and service scope. CO2-neutral operations were achieved by end of 2023 via wood-waste-fired thermal energy, green electricity, photovoltaic generation, and an electric/hybrid vehicle-fleet transition. The company employs ~70 staff and is managed by Jens Dörken as managing director and shareholder.

Name

Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG

Legal name

Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://gluud.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1878

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG is a third-generation, family-owned Bremen company (founded 1878) providing certified timber trade, wood packaging, export packaging services, and storage/logistics to industrial manufacturers, timber traders, and logistics customers across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wood Packaging and Timber Trade

NAICS

Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers (42331), Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing (321920), Wood Product Manufacturing (321)

SIC

Wholesale-Lumber, Plywood, Millwork & Wood Panels (5031), Lumber & Wood Products (No Furniture) (2400), Sawmills & Planting Mills, General (2421)

akta.pro primary industry

Wood Pallets, Crates & Industrial Wood Packaging (IMADADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sawmilling & Lumber Production (IMADADAA), Plywood & Panel Products Distribution (Plywood, OSB, MDF, Particleboard) (IMAMAIAC), Engineered Wood Products Distribution (LVL, I-joists, Glulam, CLT) (IMAMAIAD), Timber Procurement & Wood Dealer/Timber Buying Services (IMAMAAAF), Custom/Contract Sawing & Portable Sawmilling (IMAMABAC)

Keywords

• Timber trade import
• Wood packaging manufacturing
• Export packaging services
• Pallet production supply
• Industrial logistics warehousing

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen, HB

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Timber / Wood Trade and Import: Sale of certified timber in all sizes and dimensions, sourced from Scandinavia, Baltic States, and Eastern Europe. Includes wood materials (plywood, OSB, MDF, HDF, hardboard, chipboard) and squared/sawn timber (spruce and larch). Revenue generated through product sales with custom panel cutting and woodworking services.
2. Wood Packaging Materials (Pallets, Crates, Boxes): Production and sale of wooden pallets (from 40cm x 40cm small pallets to 2.50m x 10m shipbuilding pallets), industrial pallets, brewery pallets, one-way and returnable pallets, and wooden crates/boxes for land, air, and sea transport. Heat-treated and kiln-dried options available. Custom-made products also offered.
3. Export Packaging Services: Complex export packaging services including sea packaging, air freight packaging, container stowage, truck packing, and shrink wrapping. Services include on-site packaging at customer premises or at seaports. Technical expert services (publicly appointed and sworn expert for seaworthy export packaging) also provided.
4. Storage and Logistics Services: Warehousing services (7,000 sqm open space, 3,000 sqm hall space, ~60,000 sqm total storage area), handling with company vehicle fleet (forklift trucks, crane systems), LBA RegB certified air cargo handling, just-in-time logistics concepts, and order picking for export/import goods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Carl Gluud imports and trades certified timber (sawn timber, wood-based panels such as plywood, OSB, MDF, HDF, chipboard) and manufactures wooden packaging materials including pallets, crates, and boxes. The company provides export packaging services for sea, air (LBA RegB certified), and road transport, including container stowage, shrink wrapping, and CAD-based custom packaging development, alongside storage and logistics services across ~60,000 sqm of company premises at Hohentorshafen in Bremen.

Product overview

Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned timber trading and wood processing company founded in 1878 in Bremen, Germany. Their integrated service portfolio consists of four interconnected core areas: (1) Timber Trade and Import — offering wood materials (plywood, OSB, MDF, HDF, chipboard), squared timber, and sawn timber from Scandinavia, Baltic States, and Eastern Europe, with in-house woodworking services including wood drying and panel cutting; (2) Wood Packaging — manufacturing wooden pallets (including EPAL-certified Euro pallets), wooden crates/boxes, and custom-made packaging products; (3) Export Packaging Services — providing comprehensive solutions including sea packaging, air freight packaging (LBA RegB certified), container stowage, truck packing, shrink wrapping, and packaging development with CAD technology; and (4) Storage & Logistics — operating approximately 60,000 square metres of storage space with handling equipment and LBA RegB certification. The company also offers technical expert consultation for seaworthy export packaging. These services are vertically integrated, enabling the company to import timber, process it into packaging materials, and deliver complete packaging and logistics solutions for industrial customers worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Timber Trade and Import Trading of certified wood materials including sawn timber, squared timber, and imported timber from Scandinavia, Baltic States, and Eastern Europe. Wood-based panels (plywood, OSB, MDF, HDF, hardboard, chipboard) supplied in various thicknesses and sizes for industrial customers.
• Squared Timber and Sawn Timber Rectangular wooden beams and sawn timber of spruce and larch, including timber beams, boards, wooden slats, timber planks, sheet piling, shuttering, wooden posts, larch sawn timber, and packaging timber.
• Woodworking Services Wood processing services including wood drying (heat treatment per ISPM 15 or artificial kiln drying), panel cutting using the IMA Schelling fh4 panel-sizing saw (up to 5000 x 2500 mm, thickness up to 60 mm), and custom cross-cutting using automatic cross-cut saws. Available as contract cutting services.
• Wooden Pallets Production of wooden pallets ranging from 40 cm x 40 cm small pallets to 2.50 m x 10 m shipbuilding pallets. Options include industrial pallets, brewery pallets, one-way and returnable pallets, including EPAL-licensed Euro pallets (DIN-EN 13698). Heat-treated (HT) and kiln-dried (KD) options available.
• Wooden Crates and Boxes Wooden crates manufactured in all sizes and shapes for land, air, and sea transport. Made from solid wood and wood materials such as plywood and OSB boards.
• Custom-Made Wood Packaging Products Custom packaging solutions including solid wood crates, plywood crates, OSB crates, and reusable kit-design crates that can be assembled without tools. Designed using CAD technology for bespoke customer specifications.
• Sea Packaging Export packaging for ocean transport including shrink-wrapping and desiccant implementation to protect goods from environmental influences and corrosion during long sea voyages.
• Air Freight Packaging Certified packaging for air freight with LBA RegB approval (regulated agent). Includes storage in a special air freight security area until shipment.
• Container Stowage Optimal container loading services including stowage planning and container slides for 20-foot, 40-foot, flat rack, and open top containers.
• Truck Packing Road transport packaging using efficient wooden packing materials for safe and cost-effective road shipment solutions.
• Shrink Wrapping Shrink film packaging for securing and stabilising goods in transit, offering protection against splash water and soiling for machines and heavy goods.
• Packaging Development (CAD-Based) Custom packaging design and development services using CAD technology, including on-site contract packaging at customer premises, seaports, or in-house.
• Technical Expert Consultation for Seaworthy Export Packaging Expert consultation services provided by publicly appointed and sworn expert Markus Neumann for seaworthy export packaging, also serving courts and authorities as a neutral expert.
• Storage Services Storage facilities with approximately 60,000 square metres of storage space (7,000 sqm open space + 3,000 sqm hall space) for consignment warehouse, packing, and storage of goods with just-in-time concepts.
• Goods Handling Services Material handling using Linde forklift trucks, a 16-tonne Konecranes forklift truck, and a 12.5-tonne Konecranes crane system, including incoming goods inspection and documentation.
• LBA RegB Air Freight Security Services Air freight security services with German Federal Aviation Authority (LBA) approval as a regulated agent for air cargo shipments under the Air Cargo Security Programme (LFSP).

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CG Industrielogistik GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Since 2020, CG Industrielogistik belongs to the Gluud company group from Bremen. This subsidiary extends the group's service offerings to include comprehensive industrial logistics services for business partners in the areas of timber trade, export packaging, and wood packaging materials.
• HolzLand purchasing associationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarl Gluud is part of the HolzLand purchasing association, one of the largest communities of timber traders in Europe with over 450 specialist timber stores ranging from pure timber wholesalers to timber dealers for end consumers. The partnership provides procurement advantages and market intelligence. The Gluud Group celebrated 20 years of successful partnership with HolzLand in 2023.
• Bundesverband Holzpackmittel, Paletten, Exportverpackung e. V. (HPE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarl Gluud is a member of the HPE Federal Association of Wood Packaging, Pallets, Export Packaging. The association has existed for over 150 years with more than 420 mainly owner-managed member companies. HPE defines minimum standards for qualitatively flawless packaging through its packaging guidelines and pallet guidelines, regularly audited. Membership ensures Carl Gluud adheres to HPE standards.
• European Pallet Association e. V. (EPAL)coreTechnology or IntegrationCarl Gluud is a licensed producer and repairer of EPAL pallets. EPAL ensures uniform standards in global transport with the worldwide-known wooden Euro pallet manufactured according to DIN-EN 13698. Licenses are only granted to carefully inspected producers and repairers.
• Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e.V. (GD Holz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarl Gluud is a member of GD Holz, a representative industry association bundling the interests of 800 member companies. The association provides an agile network and expert advice ensuring competence and knowledge transfer among participating wood processing companies.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarl Gluud sources FSC-certified wood and commits to FSC standards for safeguarding important environmental and social standards in forests. The FSC certificate is awarded annually after an audit by independent third parties.
• PEFC (Program For The Endorsement Of Forest Certification Schemes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarl Gluud sources PEFC-certified wood as part of its commitment to sustainable forest management according to ecological, economic, and social criteria. PEFC represents an independent certification system recognized by consumers.
• Finke & Bünemann Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbHcoreOthersFinke & Bünemann Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH serves as the general partner (Komplementärin) of Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG. The company was taken over in 1971 as a Bremen planing mill and continues as the legal general partner managing the partnership.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• IMA Schelling Group: Supplier of the IMA Schelling fh4 panel-sizing saw that Gluud operates. Not a competitor but the technology provider whose equipment enables Gluud's contract cutting service for plywood, OSB, MDF and solid wood panels up to 5,000 x 2,500 mm.
• European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL): Licensing body that sets Euro pallet standards (DIN-EN 13698) under which Carl Gluud is a licensed producer/repairer. Not a competitor but a standards and ecosystem partner that defines the addressable market for EPAL-compliant pallet production.

Broad incumbents

• Binderholz GmbH: Austrian family-owned sawmill group producing sawn timber, panels, pellets and BBS structural timber. Comparable as a vertically integrated European wood products incumbent though with significantly larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Brambles Limited (CHEP): Global pooling and pallet services giant (CHEP) with significantly larger scale and a pooled-asset business model. Competes indirectly through pallet pooling programs but operates a fundamentally different model than Gluud's owned-pallet and custom export packaging business.

Direct peers

• Falkenhahn AG: German manufacturer of industrial pallets, crates and export packaging with comparable ISPM 15 / HPE-certified capabilities and a similar Mittelstand, family-owned profile. Directly competes with Carl Gluud in custom export packaging and pallet production for industrial customers.
• INKA Paletten GmbH: Specialist German pallet manufacturer producing pressed wood and wooden pallets, competing in the same pallet and wood-packaging segment served by Gluud's EPAL-licensed production and small-to-large pallet range.
• Konrad Merkt GmbH: Northern German timber trader and wood packaging producer offering sawn timber, panels and pallets to industrial customers. Highly comparable regional footprint and product mix to Carl Gluud's Bremen-based operations.
• Karl-Heinz Peters GmbH & Co. KG (Peters Holzpackmittel): German producer of wooden pallets, crates and export packaging with HPE membership. Competes directly for industrial and logistics customers in northern Germany on similar product categories.
• Holzwerke Palm: German sawmill and wood-processing group producing sawn timber, panels and pallet components. Comparable as a vertically integrated timber-to-packaging operator with multiple plant locations in southern Germany.

Regional players

• PalletOne Inc. Largest US pallet manufacturer, primarily serving North American customers. Comparable in core pallet manufacturing and recycling capabilities but operates in a different geographic market than the Germany-centric Gluud.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carl-gluud

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Carl Gluud GmbH & Co. KG