Why Family Businesses Still Matter In European Logistics

Last weekend, CG inspired by Corneel Geerts participated in the 63rd International Forwarding Association Summit in Hull, United Kingdom.

Kenneth Geerts and Dylan de Zwart represented CG during three days focused on international cooperation, relationship building and the future of logistics in Europe.

But what makes IFA truly unique is not only the network itself.

It is the type of companies behind it.

Since 1995, CG has proudly been part of the International Forwarding Association, a network consisting of more than 50 independent family owned logistics companies across Europe.

And in a sector where logistics partnerships are increasingly driven by scale and pricing pressure, that difference matters more than ever.

More Than A Logistics Network

Today, many logistics networks are built around volume, rapid expansion and transactional partnerships.

IFA takes a different approach.

Every member within the organisation is an independent family business. Companies that often think long term, value personal relationships and continue investing in sustainable cooperation across generations.

That shared mentality creates a completely different dynamic between members.

Not only professionally. But personally as well.

Because over the years, relationships grow beyond operational cooperation alone.

Trust becomes stronger. Communication becomes easier. Partnerships become more stable.

And that creates value for customers too.

Why Personal Contact Still Matters

Every six months, the IFA members gather in another European country for a three day summit.

The programme combines joint meetings, individual business meetings and informal moments where members spend time together outside the meeting rooms as well.

That balance is important.

Because some of the strongest partnerships are not built during presentations alone, but during honest conversations over dinner, between meetings or in more casual settings where people truly get to know each other.

In logistics, personal relationships still matter enormously.

Especially when situations become more complex or urgent.

Behind every international shipment, there are people making decisions, solving problems and communicating under pressure every single day.

And strong communication always becomes easier when companies genuinely know and trust each other.

Family Businesses Think Long Term

One of the strongest characteristics of family businesses is continuity.

Unlike many purely transactional partnerships, family companies often focus on stability, independence and long term cooperation.

That philosophy is strongly present throughout the IFA network.

Different countries. Different cultures. Different markets.

But often the same values:
personal contact, reliability, flexibility and sustainable partnerships.

At CG inspired by Corneel Geerts, that way of thinking has always been part of the company culture as well.

That is also why CG continues working together with several IFA partners across Europe today.

Not because they are simply part of a network.
But because they share the same standards, values and long term vision on logistics.

A Network Built Across Generations

For CG, the relationship with IFA already spans two generations.

Marc Geerts became involved with the organisation in 1995.

Today, Sven, Kevin and Kenneth Geerts continue building those international relationships further together with the next generation inside CG.

That continuity reflects exactly what many IFA members stand for themselves.

Family businesses building long term partnerships over decades.

And that creates a different level of commitment between companies.

Because customers do not want random international partnerships.

They want reliability. Stability. Accountability.

They want to know who is handling their logistics operations across borders.

Different Countries, Shared Values

The fact that the summit takes place in another European country every six months also plays an important role within the organisation.

It allows members to experience each other’s local markets, cultures and businesses firsthand.

That international exchange creates stronger understanding between partners and strengthens cooperation throughout Europe.

And despite all differences between countries, one thing remains remarkably consistent across the network:

The belief that logistics is still built on people.

Not only systems. Not only pricing.
But trust between companies and families who continue supporting each other over many years.

Building The Future Together

The logistics sector will continue evolving rapidly in the coming years.

Digitalisation, automation and sustainability are changing supply chains every single day.

But even in a changing market, some principles remain timeless.

Long term thinking. Personal relationships. Trust. Continuity.

That is exactly why organisations like IFA continue creating value after more than six decades.

And why CG inspired by Corneel Geerts remains proud to be part of that story since 1995.

Because strong international logistics partnerships are not built overnight.

They are built over generations.