the historie of Malenstein

Malenstein was founded in 1929 by Gijsbert Malenstein in the town of Bunschoten . The main business of the company at that time was the transport of milk, which initially was transported in cans, but later in tank cars. In the early 1960’s, Gijsbert’s and his wife Grietje’s eldest sons Bart and Klaas joined the company, which by that time was already a flourishing milk transport company, with ten tank cars on the road. Clients were well known names like Coberco, Domo and Beilen

By the end of the 1960’s, younger sons Douwe and Wim also joined the company. Business expanded and Malenstein started to collaborate with the Fries company Hempenius, which lead to Malenstein’s first steps on the international market. In doing so, Malenstein became an international freight forwarder, transporting virtually everything. So called huiftrailers were used to serve clients like Wessanen and Denkavit, large cattle-fodder companies who needed a reliable partner to transport their goods through Europe . The trailer cars were specially build for Malenstein so 25 barrels of cargo could be transported instead of the usual 20 barrels. Besides that the planning was changed, so that an expedition to Italy could be completed in one week instead of two weeks. Due to these measures, it was hard for other companies to compete with Malenstein, so they had an excellent competitive position. While concentrating on the rapidly expanding market of trailer expedition, tank cars were sold and the collaboration with Hempenius was ended

End years sixty came Douwe and Wim in the company. Meanwhile a cooperation with the friese company had arisen Hempenius (later H & S transport - Barneveld). That was for Malenstein goes away to internalisation. Instead of internal transport of milk, became proceeded on international transport of among other things wine, whisky, fruit juices and other foods. But also products as dirty oil, latex, glycerin and chemicalien were transported.

However, the bureaucratic and time-consuming licensing system made it necessary for Malenstein to take over other companies, who were in hold of the necessary licenses (which the government did not grant anymore). So the Malenstein brothers took over companies like Gremmer and Donkelaar. 

Due to organisational reasons, Malenstein had to outsource the distribution of split up cargo (this splitting up was required by the government). After the above take-overs, Malenstein didn’t have to outsource the distribution anymore, which was a lot more efficient. With the new capacities, a larger terminal became necessary. So premises on the Marconistraat in the central town of Ede were acquired and large buildings arose. The new terminal also had capacity for storage and distribution, so this market was also entered. 

Shortly after the building of the new terminal, the companies Linsen and Waaijenberg were taken over

In the meanwhile, the activities of Malenstein weren’t confined to Italy . Also France , Germany and virtually every European country became Malenstein’s playground. With the annexation of Skansped, Malenstein became a big time international shipping agent. Due to these changes, Malenstein changed it’s name from Malenstein International Freight Forwarding to the more catchy Malenstein Eurotransport. By that time also the youngest Malenstein son Ed had joined the company and became involved with the newly taken over company Poortvliet.

A couple of years later, by the end of the 1980’s, Malenstein decided to expand their business to sea cargo and operated in that branch under the name of Malenstein Rotterdam, with Ed Malenstein and Ben van Donkelaar in charge. Collaboration with U.S.A. freight forwarders was established, followed later by companies in the Far East .

 

To smoothen the path for railway transport, a huckepackterminal in Ede was set up. Besides that, with Malenstein bursting out of it’s walls, a new terminal had to be build. The new building at the Galvanistraat was ready in 1987.

   

Short time later Malenstein became involved with air cargo. This division, called Malenstein Air, was established at Schiphol International Airport , with Wim Malenstein in charge. More annexation of other companies like Te Winkel & Oomes and Selman followed. 

Also some Belgian companies were taken over and new terminals were founded in Italy , Germany and Scandinavia

 

 

Early 1990, Malenstein had become a conglomeration of approximately twenty companies, 450 freight trucks, several terminals and agencies all over the world. In 1992, the road transport division was sold to Corporate Investments, which sold the company to Vos Logistics in 1995. Waaijenberg, Malenstein Rotterdam and Malenstein Air became independent. In 1999 Malenstein Rotterdam became part of Exel Logistics, while Malenstein Air was taken over by Eimskip.

Recently, the Malenstein Air management took over the Eimskip shares, so this company is now called Malenstein Air again

 

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