Italian logistics provider Gruber Logistics has acquired Hamburg-based Gruber AG, a freight forwarder specialising in rail and multimodal transport. The deal reunites two companies that split nearly three decades ago. It strengthens Gruber Logistics’ intermodal services between Italy and the Port of Hamburg via the Brenner Pass.
Both companies trace their roots to Josef Gruber. He founded the business in South Tyrol in 1936. In the 1990s, two of his children took separate paths, and one of them established a freight forwarding company in Hamburg alongside the original headquarters in Auer. The Hamburg-based business concentrated on multimodal transport, with a particular focus on rail freight.
“For us, this acquisition is more than just a market transaction. It represents the return of an important part of our company’s long history”, commented Martin Gruber, CEO of Gruber Logistics and the founder’s grandson.
Brenner corridor focus
Under the Gruber Logistics umbrella, Gruber AG will mainly offer connections on the Brenner corridor between Italy and the Port of Hamburg. The company entered the multimodal market in 2003 with ten trailers.
Together, the two companies now handle more than 20,000 rail shipments per year on the corridor linking northern and central Italy with Hamburg via the Brenner Pass. Gruber AG’s trucks, trailers and forwarding services have already been integrated into the group this year.
The acquisition follows a record first half of 2026 for Gruber Logistics’ German business. An important step in its expansion there was the takeover of the Universal Transport Group in September 2022, which the company says has now been fully integrated.