Our history

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Our history

Entrepreneurship, growth and confidence are key to our history and we are very proud of it. Our knowledge and experience, combined with our solid foundation, enables us to innovate continuously. We respond to the logistical challenges of today and tomorrow. We do not stand still, but literally bring you further.

This is how it started

Just after the first World War, in 1918, Cornelis Kuijken founded Kuijken Transport in Luyksgestel. In 1947, Kuijken Transport handled their first international transports.

In the early 80's, the company made a clear choice by specialising in two market segments: container transports and groupage consignments to France. At the time, an unusual move.

Ten years later, there were several acquisitions: V.T.E. bv in Venlo and Bradford, Hessinex Group in Goirle and Kwinten Transport in Eersel. We also opened a branch in Rotterdam, to position our container transport close to the port of Rotterdam.

This is how it started

Shortly after the First World War, in 1918, Cornelis Kuijken founded Kuijken Transport in Luyksgestel. In 1947 Kuijken Transport began providing its first international transports.

In the early 1980s the company made a clear decision to specialize in two submarkets: container transport and groupage transport to France. This was an unusual step for the time.

Ten years later several acquisitions followed: V.T.E. bv in Venlo and Bradford, Hessinex Group in Goirle and Kwinten Transport in Eersel. We also opened a location in Rotterdam to position container transport close to the Port of Rotterdam.

Further growth

In 2005, we changed our name to KLG Europe. We continued to grow. In 2006, we opened six new branches in Romania. In 2009, we opened our first office in Beijing, China. In 2013, we opened offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, both in China. We also made a number of strategic acquisitions: Martens Logistics and the company Schutte in Venlo, which further stimulated our growth. We took over the Balkan activities (non-European countries) of the Van Doesburg company in Waardenburg and the France activities of the Van Hooijen Transport company in Tilburg. In 2010, we also opened a branch in Istanbul, Turkey. Which we subsequently sold to our logistics partner in Turkey. Over the years, we opened our seventh and eighth branche with crossdock facilities in Romania and responded to market and customer demand with innovative services. The most recent new service is Simplify; an e-fulfilment service developed and integrated in response to the extreme increase of online orders and Strongo for fast distribution and delivery to the door, of heavy products with abnormal dimensions.

The rail service under the name of joint venture NSWL, was launched in 2015. In 2019, the European branches were acquired by Sinotrans Limited. In 2019 and 2020, we became Brexit proof in Bradford (UK) and significantly expanded our in-house customs departments. In addition, we expanded our branches in Venlo and Rotterdam and started a distribution center in Waalwijk for a customer project in 2021. In the spring of 2022, we will put the foundation stone and start building our new location in Eersel. Here, we are building our future, an ultramodern new building including our own garage for the maintenance of our modern fleet and a larger crossdock facility for the further growth of our organization.

Further growth

In 2005 we changed our name: KLG Europe. We continued to grow. In 2006 we established six new branches in Romania. In 2009 we opened our first office in Beijing, China. In 2013 the offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, both in China, followed. In addition, we made a number of strategic acquisitions: Martens Logistics and the company Schutte in Venlo, which further stimulated the growth of our organization. We took over the Balkan activities (non-European countries) of the company van Doesburg in Waardenburg and the France activities of the company Van Hooijen Transport from Tilburg. In 2010 we also opened a branch in Istanbul, Turkey, which we later sold to our logistics partner in Turkey. Over the years we opened our seventh and eighth branches with cross-dock facilities in Romania and responded to market and customer demand with innovative services. The most recent new service is Simplify; an e-fulfilment service developed and integrated in response to the extreme increase in online orders, and Strongo for rapid distribution and home delivery of heavier products with non-standard dimensions.

The rail service under the name of the joint venture NSWL was launched in 2015. In 2019 the European KLG locations were acquired by Sinotrans Limited. In 2019 and 2020 we became Brexit-proof in Bradford and significantly expanded our in-house customs departments. In addition, the locations in Venlo and Rotterdam were expanded and for a customer project in 2021 we launched a distribution centre in Waalwijk. In the spring of 2022 we broke ground and began construction of our new facility in Eersel. Here we are building our future: an ultramodern new building including our own garage for maintenance of our modern fleet and a larger cross-dock for further growth of our organization.

Sustainability and modalities

Investing in sustainability is here to stay. As a major international logistics service provider, we take our social involvement, responsibility and influence more than seriously.

We have one corporate goal and that is to reduce our CO2 emissions. We have already achieved the first step we wanted to take before 2025, namely reducing the CO2 emissions of our trucks by 15%. There are also many sustainability gains to be made in the area of modal shift and we have invested heavily in this area in recent years. We have a door-to-door logistics service on train transport between Europe and China and vice versa. In addition, we review the current logistic solutions with our customers and continuously adapt our tailor made service to the changing market demand with an eye to sustainability, modalities, transparency and flexibility.

Sustainability and modal shift

Investing in sustainability is now indispensable. As a major international logistics service provider we take our social responsibility and influence very seriously.

We have a corporate goal: the reduction of our CO2 emissions. The first step we wanted to achieve before 2025, the reduction of CO2 emissions from our trucks by 15%, has already been achieved. There are also many sustainability gains to be made in terms of modal shift, and we have invested heavily in that in recent years. For example, we offer a door-to-door rail logistics service between Europe and China. In addition, we review current logistics solutions with our customers and continuously adapt our tailored solutions to changing market demand with a focus on sustainability, modal shift, transparency and flexibility.

What we're proud of

In 2011 we received the Graydon Award for financially healthy company and the Lean & Green award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). That same year we received from Dun & Bradstreet the certificate for the highest credit rating class. In 2013 we received the SQAS certificate and were for the first time named by Deloitte as a ‘Best Managed Company’. In recent years we have received many more certificates in the field of safety, innovation and sustainability such as the ISO 9001 – 2015 certificate in 2019 and the ISO 26000 certification.

We could not have achieved all these results without the dedication of the team behind KLG, namely our employees. Our KLG people who are ready for our customers every day. From cleaner to manager, from receptionist to driver and from order picker to director. We are all members of the KLG team and we show that. In 2019 we were for the first time named Most Attractive Employer and we are one of the best training companies.

A history with many choices, opportunities and lessons, and a future with many titles, distinctions and certificates that we carry with great pride and for which we are grateful to each other.
This is KLG Europe, a company where history and passion are central and creating the future together is our goal.

We are very proud of this

In 2011, we received the Graydon Award for a financially healthy company and the Lean & Green award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In the same year, we received the certificate for the highest credit rating from Dun & Bradstreet. In 2013, we received the SQAS certificate and were named “Best Managed Company” by Deloitte for the first year. In the recent years we have received many more certificates in the areas of safety, innovation and sustainability such as the ISO 9001-2015 certificate in 2019 and the ISO 26000 certification.

We could not have achieved all these results without the commitment of the team behind KLG, our employees. Our KLG employees who are ready to serve our customers every day. From cleaners to managers, from receptionists to drivers and from order pickers to directors. We are all members of the KLG team and radiate that. In 2019, we are named the “Most Attractive Employer” for the first time and we are one of the “Best training companies”.

A history, with many choices, opportunities and lessons, and a future with many titles, awards and certificates that we carry with great pride and are grateful to each other for.
This is KLG Europe, a company where history and passion are our key points and the joint creation of the future is our goal.

Timeline

1918	Kuijken Transport in Luyksgestel founded by Cornelis Kuijken
1947	Kuijken carries out its first international transport
1963	The second generation takes over the helm: C.S.J. Kuijken becomes director
1993	Kuijken Internationaal Transport bv acquires V.T.E. bv. This gives the company offices in Venlo and Bradford. The company name V.T.E. remains in use.
1994	Kuijken Internationaal Transport strengthens its activities in the French market by acquiring Hessinex Group's French operations in Goirle.
1999	Ad and Kees Kuijken take over the leadership of KLG Europe from their father C.S.J. Kuijken.
2000	V.T.E. becomes a shareholder in the '24plus Network'
2001	Kuijken Internationaal Transport bv becomes a shareholder in the 'ASTRE Network'
2001	Kuijken opens a Rotterdam office to further stimulate Ocean Freight
2002	The company Kwinten Transport in Eersel is acquired
2002	Operations in Luyksgestel are moved to Eersel
2005	From now on all activities operate under one flag: KLG EUROPE; the names Kuijken Internationaal Transport and VTE are discontinued
2006	Six branches in Romania are established under the name: KLG Srl.
2007	KLG Europe acquires Martens Logistics in Venlo
2008	KLG Europe becomes a member of the global networks WCA and IGLN
2008	As one of the first logistics service providers in the Netherlands, KLG Europe receives the AEO Certificate
2009	KLG Europe receives ISO 9001 – 2008 certificate
2009	Opening of an office in Beijing, China: KLG Beijing Representative Office is established
2009	KLG Europe acquires the company Schutte in Venlo
2009	KLG Europe receives TAPA A certificate
2010	KLG Europe takes over the Balkan activities (non-EU countries) of the firm van Doesburg in Waardenburg
2010	KLG Eersel takes over the international activities of Hooijen Transport in Tilburg
2010	KLG Europe opens KLG Lojistik TR branch in Istanbul, Turkey
2011	KLG Europe receives the Graydon Award for financial soundness
2011	KLG Europe achieves the Lean & Green award for Corporate Social Responsibility
2011	KLG Europe receives Dun & Bradstreet certificate for the highest creditworthiness class
2012	KLG Europe starts an intermodal service by train to and from Turkey
2012	KLG Europe Logistics SRL opens 7th branch in Romania (Bacau)
2013	KLG Europe starts a trucking service in Romania under the name KLG Trucking SrL
2013	KLG Europe opens an office in Hong Kong with its Chinese partner under the name KLG-ITM Logistics Hong Kong
2013	KLG-ITM Hong Kong opens an office in Shanghai, China under the name KLG-ITM Logistics Shanghai
2013	KLG Europe is awarded 'Best Managed Company' by Deloitte
2013	KLG Europe receives SQAS certificate
2014	KLG Europe expands its warehouse capacity in Bucharest from 35,000 m2 to 50,000 m2
2014	KLG Europe is once again awarded 'Best Managed Company' by Deloitte
2015	KLG Europe is once again awarded 'Best Managed Company' by Deloitte
2015	KLG Europe expands again in China and opens 3 new branches in Qingdao, Xiamen and Shenzhen. It also expands the existing Shanghai location by 5,000 m2 to 11,000 m2
2015	KLG Europe becomes main sponsor of Dutch football club Roda JC
2016	Opening of 8th hub in Romania
2016	KLG Europe is once again awarded 'Best Managed Company' by Deloitte. This 4th nomination earns KLG Europe 'Gold Status'
2017	Joint venture New Silk Way Logistics – NSWL – between KLG Europe and H. Essers
2017	KLG Europe is once again awarded 'Best Managed Company' by Deloitte
2017	KLG Rotterdam moves to a new building in Rotterdam
2018	KLG Europe turns 100 years old and celebrates this with a 2-day event with employees, customers, partners, suppliers and network
2018	KLG Europe is once again awarded 'Best Managed Company' by Deloitte – Status: Gold
2018	KLG Europe wins the election for Most Attractive Employer of North Limburg
2019	KLG Europe is once again awarded 'Best Managed Company' by Deloitte – Status: Gold
2019	KLG Europe Venlo location expands its current crossdock by 50%
2019	KLG receives ISO 9001 - 2015 certificate
2019	Sinotrans Limited takes over KLG Europe (only the European locations)
2019	KLG Europe is named Most Attractive Employer of Limburg
2019	KLG is Brexit Proof (Brexit is added as an additional service in the form of advice and services).
2020	KLG Europe brings the new concept Truck-Rail-Truck to the market, a unique new concept between China and Europe
2020	KLG sets up an internal Sinotrans team to boost growth in Rail and Air
2021	KLG opens a 22,000 m2 distribution centre in Waalwijk
2021	KLG is ISO 26000 certified
2021	KLG receives Lean & Green Star and reduces CO2 emissions by 20%
2021	KLG is certified by EcoVadis; the most reliable and business-focused sustainability assessment system
2022	KLG Europe breaks ground for the new building location for the KLG Eersel branch (NL)
2022	KLG Europe invests in its future, acquiring 50 new DAF XG+ trucks
2022	In December we reached the highest point of the new construction of KLG Eersel
2022	KLG Europe purchases another 50 new DAF XG+ trucks
2023	KLG Europe is frontrunner in the race for the most attractive employer
2023	KLG Europe: The Most Attractive Employer!
2023	KLG Europe participates in the Transport & Logistics trade fair in Munich
2023	KLG Eersel branch has moved to its new building and has a new address as of 01-07-2023
2024	Once again awarded Most Attractive Employer
2024	Fleet renewal

Timeline

1918	Kuijken Transport in Luyksgestel (NL) is founded by Cornelis Kuijken
1947	Kuijken provides the first international transport
1963	The second generation takes over the steering wheel: C.S.J. Kuijken becomes director
1993	Kuijken International Transport B.V. takes over V.T.E. B.V. This provides the company with offices in Venlo (NL) and Bradford (UK). The company name V.T.E. will be maintained.
1994	Kuijken International Transport strengthens its activities on the French market by taking over the France activities of Hessinex Group in Goirle (NL).
1999	Ad and Kees Kuijken take over the management of Kuijken International Transport from their father C.S.J. Kuijken
2000	V.T.E. becomes shareholder within ‘24plus Network’ (German groupage network)
2001	Kuijken International Transport B.V. becomes a shareholder within the “Astre Network” (French groupage network)
2001	To further stimulate ocean freight, Kuijken opens a branch in Rotterdam (NL)
2002	The company Kwinten Transport in Eersel (NL) is taken over by Kuijken
2002	The activities in Luyksgestel (NL) are moved to Eersel (NL)
2005	From now on, all activities will take place under one banner: KLG EUROPE the names Kuijken International Transport and V.T.E. will disappear with this
2006	Six branches in Romania are realized under the name KLG Srl
2007	KLG Europe takes over Martens Logistics in Venlo (NL)
2008	KLG Europe becomes member of the global networks WCA and IGLN
2008	KLG Europe is one of the first logistics service providers in the Netherlands to receive the AEO certificate
2009	KLG Europe receives ISO 9001 – 2008 certificate
2009	Opening of an office in Beijing, China KLG Beijing Rep. office is born
2009	KLG Europe takes over the firm Schutte in Venlo
2009	KLG Europe receives TAPA A certificate
2010	KLG Europe takes over Balkan activities (non-EU countries) of the company van Doesburg in Waardenburg (NL)
2010	The Dutch branch of KLG in Eersel takes over the international activities of Hooijen Transport in Tilburg (NL)
2010	KLG Europe opens KLG Lojistik TR office in Istanbul, Turkey
2011	KLG Europe receives the Graydon Award for being a financially healthy Company.
2011	KLG Europe wins the Lean & Green award for Corporate Social Responsibility
2011	KLG Europe receives the Dun and Bradstreet certificate for the highest credit rating
2012	KLG Europe start intermodal services via train to and from Turkey
2012	KLG Europe Logistics SRL opens the 7th branch in Romania (Bacau)
2013	KLG Europe starts with trucking service in Romania under the name KLG Trucking Srl
2013	KLG Europe opens an office in Hong Kong (CN) with the Chinese partner under the name KLG-ITM Logistics Hong Kong
2013	KLG-ITM opens an office in Shanghai (CN), under the name KLG-ITM
2013	KLG Europe is awarded Best Managed Company by Deloitte
2013	KLG Europe receives the SQAS certificate
2014	KLG Europe expands the warehouse capacity in Bucharest from 35,000 m2 to 50,000 m2
2014	KLG Europe is awarded by Deloitte again for Best Managed Company
2015	KLG Europe is awarded by Deloitte again for Best Managed Company
2015	KLG Europe expands again in China with a total of 3 new branches, divided over Qingdao, Xiamen and Shenzhen, and expands the existing branch in Shanghai from 5,000 m2 to 11,000 m2
2015	KLG Europe becomes main sponsor of the Dutch soccer club Roda JC
2016	Opening of the 8th hub in Romania
2016	KLG Europe is again awarded as Best Managed Company by Deloitte. This 4th nomination provides KLG Europe with “Gold status”
2017	The joint venture New Silk Way Logistics – NSWL – of KLG Europe and H. Essers is founded
2017	KLG Europe is again awarded Best Managed Company by Deloitte
2017	KLG Rotterdam (NL) moves to a new premises
2018	KLG Europe celebrates its 100th anniversary with a 2-day event with employees, customers, partners, suppliers and its network
2018	KLG Europe is again awarded as Best Managed Company by Deloitte – Status: Gold
2018	KLG Europe wins the election “Most attractive Employer” of region Nord Limburg (NL)
2019	KLG Europe is again awarded by Deloitte as Best Management Company – Status: Gold
2019	KLG Europe expands current crossdock of Venlo branch by 50%
2019	KLG receives the ISO 9001-2015 certificate
2019	Sinotrans Limited takes over KLG Europe (only the European branches)
2019	KLG Europe is awarded as “Most Attractive Employer”
2019	KLG is Brexit Proof (Brexit is added as an extra service by means of advice and service)
2020	KLG Europe markets the new concept Truck-Rail-Truck, a new unique concept between China and Europe
2020	KLG sets up an internal Sinotrans team to boost the growth on rail and air
2021	KLG opens a distribution centre in Waalwijk (NL) 22.000m2
2021	KLG is ISO 26000 certified
2021	KLG received Lean & Green star and reduced 20% CO2 emmision
2021	KLG is certified by Ecovadis; the most reliable and business-friendly sustainability rating system
2022	KLG Europe puts the shovel in the ground for the new construction site for the branch KLG Eersel (NL)
2022	KLG Europe builds its future, including the purchase of 50 new DAF XG+ trucks
2022	In December, we reached the highest point of the new construction of KLG Eersel
2022	KLG Europe purchases antoher 50 new DAF XG+ trucks
2023	KLG Europe is frontrunner in race for Most Attractive Employer
2023	KLG Europe: once again The Most Attractive Employer!
2023	KLG Europe participates in Transport & Logistics fair in Munich
2023	KLG Eersel branch has moved to its new premises and has a new address as of 01-07-2023
2024	Once again awarded Most Attractive Employer
2024	Fleet renewal