âHumans are super powerful in this process,â Paul said. âThey build relationships, solve messy edge cases, piece together ambiguous info. Tech should amplify that.â
GebrĂźder Weiss - a logistics company - has lasted over 500.
Founded in 1474, this Austrian logistics company started as a courier service crossing the Alps. Today, it operates 180+ locations worldwide, recently expanding into North America.
Today we break down their history and North American expansion.
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This week on The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Mark McCullough, CEO of GebrĂźder Weiss North America. Watch it on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
Today's Newsletter is Brought to You By TextLocate.
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A Business Older Than Most Countries
Click here to watch the history of GebrĂźder Weiss on YouTube.
GebrĂźder Weiss traces its roots back to 1474, when the Weiss family helped establish the Milanese Courier â arguably Europeâs first courier service, ferrying mail and goods between Lindau (Germany) and Milan (Italy) across the Alps.
The Original Freight Route: Lindau, Germany to Milan, Italy.
This âLindau courierâ route, crossing dangerous mountain passes, laid the groundwork for a legacy in transport. By the late 18th century, the family was providing warehousing and logistics services in Fussach, Austria, to support this trade route.
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After World War II, it pivoted from rebuilding infrastructure to becoming a key distributor of Marshall Plan aid.
When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, GebrĂźder Weiss was one of the first logistics firms to expand into Eastern Europe, setting up branches in Hungary, Czech Republic, and beyond.
As Chinaâs economy opened up, they built a presence along the new Silk Road in Asia.
Entering North America
GW headquarters in Chicago.
GebrĂźder Weissâs recent expansion into North America isnât randomâitâs strategic.
First entered the U.S. in 2003 through a joint venture.
Went fully independent in 2017, establishing offices in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and LA.
Opened key locations in Laredo, Texas, and El Paso to capture the nearshoring trend, as U.S. companies shift supply chains closer to home.
Acquired Cargo-Link in Utah (2024) to build inland logistics capabilities.
Ryan Petersen, CEO & Founder of Flexport, was shocked to learn that a 550-year-old logistics company exists.
Mark McCullough on Expanding GebrĂźder Weiss in North America
A couple of weeks ago at Manifest, the FreightCaviar team sat down with Mark McCullough, CEO of GebrĂźder Weiss North America, for an interview.
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
âThis company has survived wars, economic crashes, and revolutions. We donât chase short-term wins; we build for the next century.â
âNorth America was never just another market for usâit was a strategic necessity. We knew we had to be where the trade flows are shifting, and we positioned ourselves accordingly.â
âWe entered the U.S. on our own terms. No rushed acquisitions, no random expansions. We built the network the right way.â
âGebrĂźder Weiss has been in business longer than most countries have existed. You donât survive that long by being complacent.â
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âHumans are super powerful in this process,â Paul said. âThey build relationships, solve messy edge cases, piece together ambiguous info. Tech should amplify that.â
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