Gaston Schul expands in Italy and Austria as Europe growth accelerates

By AI, Created 3:16 PM UTC, May 30, 2026, /AGP/ – Gaston Schul said June 1 it bought customs firms in Italy and Austria and expanded operations in Poland and France, pushing its network to 13 European countries. The moves are aimed at giving multinational shippers a single, connected customs partner as AI, digitalization and EU Customs Reform reshape cross-border trade.

Why it matters: - Gaston Schul is extending its footprint at a time when European customs work is becoming more complex and more digital. - The company is positioning itself as a single customs and trade partner for large logistics providers and multinational shippers that want one point of accountability across borders. - The expansion strengthens Gaston Schul’s argument that independence is a competitive advantage as the sector consolidates under private equity and logistics groups.

What happened: - Gaston Schul announced the acquisition of Parodi Forwarding S.r.l. in Italy and Markart & Schmid Zollservice OG in Austria on June 1, 2026. - The company also expanded operations in Poland and France. - The additions bring Gaston Schul’s network to 13 European countries, with the rest of Europe served through an alliance network. - Gaston Schul said the moves support its goal of becoming the leading-edge customs and trade partner in Europe.

The details: - The Italy deal gives Gaston Schul immediate presence in the Italian market with an experienced team and established customs expertise. - The Austria acquisition expands DACH coverage and adds local Austrian customs know-how, integrated with existing operations in Germany and Switzerland. - The Poland expansion builds on Gaston Schul’s Customs Control Tower presence in Łódź and deepens integration across Central Europe. - The company said the Poland operation is especially relevant for deep-sea and rail flows linking the EU, the United Kingdom and eastern markets. - The France expansion in St Louis extends Gaston Schul’s service to French shippers and logistics providers with the same connected portfolio used across the wider network. - Gaston Schul said it now has more than 350 professionals across its European footprint. - The company said it delivers five connected services: Customs Clearance, Customs Technology, Customs & Trade Advisory, Customs Control Tower and Customs Academy. - Gaston Schul said it is privately owned, has more than 180 years of industry experience and is AEO-certified across its European operations. - The company operates from its central office in Venlo, the Netherlands. - Its country footprint includes Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, Italy, Austria and Poland.

Between the lines: - Gaston Schul is leaning into a model built around standardization, scalability and digital integration across multiple markets. - The company is also trying to differentiate itself from competitors that may face conflicts from broader logistics or private equity ownership. - CEO Sander van Lent said AI, digitalization and EU Customs Reform are forcing the company to accelerate its strategy. - Van Lent said Gaston Schul believes its growing European footprint, customs know-how and digital-first approach leave it well positioned for the next phase of growth. - The company is framing its Customs Control Tower and connected data tools as part of a broader effort to give customers full visibility.

What’s next: - Gaston Schul said it will continue acting as one European company with one standard of quality, one operational philosophy and one customer experience. - The company is likely to keep building around its control-tower model as customs regulations and technology change. - Gaston Schul will continue serving the rest of Europe through its alliance network.

The bottom line: - Gaston Schul is using acquisitions and operational expansion to turn its independence and digital infrastructure into a broader European growth play.