Bertschi AG chemical logistics operations reach 64 locations across 34 countries, supported by a fleet exceeding 48,500 tank and dry-bulk containers and annual turnover of CHF 1.13 billion (2023). The Swiss group moves bulk liquid chemicals, dry bulk plastics, and powders for chemical manufacturers, routing more than 90% of European freight off road and onto rail and inland waterway — delivering reductions of up to 70% in CO₂ emissions per shipment against all-road alternatives.
Bertschi AG Chemical Logistics: Company Overview
Founded in 1956 by Hans Bertschi in Dürrenäsch, Switzerland as a single-truck haulage business, the company incorporated as Bertschi AG in 1964 and progressively specialised in chemical goods transport. Expansion into intermodal operations followed under the second generation, with Hans-Jörg Bertschi serving as Executive Chairman. Jan Arnet holds the Group CEO role today, with Michael Baechler as COO.
The group remains privately held and family-controlled, headquartered in Dürrenäsch. In 2005, Bertschi acquired Swedish intermodal operator Nordic Bulkers AB, extending its northern European reach. By 2023 the workforce stood at more than 3,210 employees. Bertschi is a member of the European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA) and operates under the Responsible Care framework, which sets benchmarks for safety, environmental performance, and resource efficiency across the chemical transport sector.
Terminal Network and Container Fleet
Bertschi operates more than 30 dedicated container terminals distributed across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. These handle cleaning, inspection, repair, and storage of ISO tank containers and silo units between movements — making Bertschi a full-cycle operator rather than a pure haulage provider.
The Antwerp Zomerweg Terminal is one of the group’s most advanced European hubs, equipped with full-length rail sidings rated for dangerous goods, CCTV-monitored loading bays, and a high degree of process automation. Antwerp’s position at the core of the ARA chemical cluster makes it a critical interchange point for inbound bulk chemicals from global producers.
Bertschi UK Ltd operates from Middlesbrough, serving the Teesside industrial cluster — one of the UK’s highest concentrations of chemical and process industry sites. The group also entered tank farm operations in 1998 at Chempark Leverkusen, integrating storage directly alongside one of Germany’s largest chemical production complexes. Additional European hub terminals operate in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Intermodal Model and Decarbonisation
Rail and inland waterway form the backbone of Bertschi’s European freight network. Routing more than 90% of European volumes off road generates documented CO₂ reductions that chemical manufacturers can report directly against their Scope 3 targets — a commercially relevant differentiator as sustainability reporting requirements tighten across the sector.
Bertschi has publicly committed to expanding clean fuel integration and intermodal capacity as long-term strategic priorities. Import hub development is a stated growth area: the group’s European import hubs consolidate inbound container flows from global chemical producers and redistribute them by rail and water to end customers, reducing truck movements at port gates and improving transit predictability.
Bertschi AG Chemical Logistics in the Global Market
The scale of Bertschi AG chemical logistics operations — 64 locations, a 48,500-unit container fleet, and CHF 1 billion-plus turnover — gives the group a network density that smaller intermodal operators cannot replicate, particularly for chemical manufacturers requiring consistent multi-origin, multi-destination coverage across Europe.
The group competes in overlapping segments of the bulk liquid chemical market alongside Den Hartogh Liquid Logistics and HOYER Group, each with a distinct infrastructure profile and geographic emphasis. A full comparison of the sector is covered in the Top 10 Chemical Logistics Companies 2026 ranking.
Bertschi AG Chemical Logistics: Company Snapshot
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1956, Dürrenäsch, Switzerland |
| Ownership | Private (family-owned) |
| Chairman | Hans-Jörg Bertschi |
| CEO | Jan Arnet |
| COO | Michael Baechler |
| Revenue (2023) | CHF 1.13 billion |
| Employees (2023) | 3,210+ |
| Global locations | 64 |
| Countries | 34 |
| Container fleet | 48,500+ tank and dry-bulk units |
| Container terminals | 30+ |
| Core markets | Bulk liquid chemicals, dry bulk plastics and powders |
| Memberships | ECTA, Responsible Care |
| Website | bertschi.com |
What does Bertschi AG specialise in?
Bertschi AG specialises in intermodal chemical logistics, moving bulk liquid chemicals, dry bulk plastics, and powders for chemical manufacturers using rail, inland waterway, and road. The group also operates container cleaning, inspection, and storage terminals as part of a full-cycle service.
Where are Bertschi AG’s main operations located?
Bertschi AG is headquartered in Dürrenäsch, Switzerland, with 64 locations across 34 countries. Key European hubs include the Antwerp Zomerweg Terminal, facilities at Chempark Leverkusen in Germany, and Bertschi UK Ltd in Middlesbrough, England.
How large is Bertschi AG’s container fleet?
As of 2023, Bertschi AG operates a fleet of more than 48,500 tank and dry-bulk containers across 30+ dedicated container terminals globally.
What is Bertschi AG working on in 2026?
Bertschi AG is focused on expanding its European import hub network, increasing intermodal rail and waterway capacity, and advancing its decarbonised logistics programme including clean fuel integration.
Who owns Bertschi AG?
Bertschi AG is a privately held, family-owned company. Hans-Jörg Bertschi serves as Executive Chairman. Jan Arnet is Group CEO and Michael Baechler is COO.