Today, on 15 June 2026, we celebrate our company’s foundation day in Lübeck, which was 161 years ago.
Since our founding in 1865, Bertling has grown from a local shipping business into a globally active logistics and shipping group.
Over more than a century and a half, our company has navigated change, embraced new opportunities, and continuously evolved - always guided by a long-term perspective and strong commitment of our employees.
15th of June is for me always a moment to look back with pride. It is your dedication, your expertise, and our employees’ hard work that have shaped Bertling into what it is today: a trusted partner to customers around the world and a company built on reliability, quality, and strong relationships.
At the same time, today is also a moment to look forward.
I am particularly pleased that this year’s Bertling Foundation Day coincides with an important step in our continued journey: the acquisition of Pfaff International.
Welcoming Pfaff into the Bertling family is more than a strategic expansion - it is the coming together of two organisations that share common values: a commitment to customer service, a hands-on approach, and a strong belief in people and partnerships.
Pfaff has built an excellent reputation over the past 15 years, supported by a highly experienced and dedicated team. By joining forces, we are strengthening our presence in Germany and Europe, expanding our capabilities, and creating new opportunities for growth - for our customers, for our partners, and for all of us. As we integrate Pfaff into our organisation, our focus will remain clear: to preserve what makes both companies strong while building something even stronger together.
161 years of history remind us that sustainable success is never achieved overnight. It is built step by step, through trust, collaboration, and the willingness to adapt and grow. With this in mind, I am confident that the next chapter of Bertling - together with our new colleagues from Pfaff - will be an exciting and successful one.
Thank you all for being part of this journey.
Together, we grow.
Julia Bulmahn
Shareholder of Bertling Logistics
