A major European alliance in the logistics sector has been sealed: Gruber Logistics from South Tyrol and Universal Transport have decided on a common path for the future. After final examination and approval by the competition authorities in Germany, the partnership was closed on September 19. The combination of the two companies through the integration of Universal Transport into Gruber Logistics is the next step on a major internationalization and growth path. The existing management teams of both companies will be merged and will in future drive the path forward together as a four-member management board.

"We are building a new European champion with Gruber Logistics. The alliance with Universal Transport is a key step. And I don't just mean this in terms of key economic figures. This alliance will make the services offered by both companies even better and more comprehensive for our customers. The employees of both companies stand for the highest quality and reliability and will continue to guarantee this at the highest level. The additional capacities and expanded regional availability are important steps in our European growth strategy. Germany is the central logistics market in Europe. From here, we are ready to grow further and drive forward acquisitions throughout Europe," says Gruber Logistics CEO Martin Gruber.

Holger Dechant, CEO of Universal Transport, adds: "We rethought our long-term strategy and saw a great opportunity for our company and our employees in working with Gruber Logistics. It is a partner that shares our quality standards, values and reliability. In addition, with Gruber Logistics we can expand our service portfolio to include general cargo, parcel shipments and logistics services. The entire Universal Transport team is looking forward to being part of this international success story."

With around 2,200 employees and a total turnover of around 650 million euros in transport and logistics activities, Gruber Logistics will assume the position of European market leader in the large and heavy goods transport sector following the merger. In the general logistics market, the company is also aiming for a leading position as a central player in Europe in the coming years through organic growth and further acquisitions. Gruber Logistics has already recorded an annual increase in turnover of around 30 percent in recent years and has therefore developed significantly faster than the European market as a whole. This trend is now set to accelerate even further in the coming years.