List of 3 large refrigerated logistics companies in Germany

Refrigerated logistics is a crucial part of the supply chain, especially for temperature-sensitive goods such as food, pharmaceuticals and chemical products. There are several leading companies in Germany that specialise in refrigerated logistics and ensure that these sensitive products are transported and stored safely and efficiently. Three of the most important refrigerated logistics companies in Germany are NORDFROST GmbH & Co. KG, Thermotraffic GmbH and the PFENNING GROUP (KMP Holding GmbH).

1. NORDFROST GmbH & Co. KG

NORDFROST GmbH & Co. KG, based in Schortens, Lower Saxony, is one of the leading providers of frozen food logistics in Germany and Europe. The company was founded in 1975 by Horst Bartels and has since developed into one of the largest providers in this sector. NORDFROST operates a dense network of deep-freeze warehouses and offers comprehensive services in the field of refrigerated logistics, including storage, transport and distribution.

NORDFROST’s core products and services include the deep-freeze storage and transport of foodstuffs under strictly controlled temperatures. The company has a modern fleet of refrigerated vehicles and also offers specialised services such as the picking and packing of frozen products.

In 2022, NORDFROST achieved a turnover of around 450 million euros and employed around 2,800 people. The company is known for its reliability and its ability to handle large quantities of frozen products efficiently.

Update 2024: Nordfrost wants to offer sustainable logistics to the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam with its new cold store in Wesel on the Lower Rhine.

2. Thermotraffic GmbH

Thermotraffic GmbH, headquartered in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, is an international provider of temperature-controlled logistics services. The company was founded in 1985 and specialises in the transport and logistics of temperature-sensitive goods. Thermotraffic offers comprehensive solutions for refrigerated and deep-freeze logistics worldwide.

One of Thermotraffic’s key products is global refrigerated transport, which is specially tailored to the needs of the food and pharmaceutical industries. The company offers both air freight and sea freight solutions to ensure that products are transported under optimal conditions. In addition, Thermotraffic offers specialised services such as customs clearance and quality controls to ensure the integrity of products throughout the transport process.

Thermotraffic achieved a turnover of around 120 million euros in 2022 and employed around 500 people. The company is known for its high flexibility and its ability to offer customised solutions for complex logistical challenges.

3. PFENNING GROUP (KMP Holding GmbH)

The PFENNING-GRUPPE, also known as KMP Holding GmbH, based in Heddesheim, is a large provider of logistics services in Germany, specialising in various areas, including refrigerated logistics. The PFENNING GROUP was founded in 1932 and has developed over the years from a regional provider to a national logistics service provider

The PFENNING GROUPs refrigerated logistics services include the storage and transport of temperature-sensitive goods, particularly in the food sector. The company operates modern refrigerated warehouses and offers integrated logistics solutions that cover both warehousing and distribution logistics. Another important product is just-intime delivery to retail chains, where the PFENNING GROUP ensures that fresh and frozen products reach the shops on time.

In 2022, the PFENNING GROUP achieved a turnover of around 300 million euros and employed around 3,700 people. The company attache great importance to sustainability and continuously invests in environmentally friendly technologies and processes.

Image source: Enrico Mantegazza