Our Timeline
1852
Carl Röhlig starts a family-owned tobacco and insurance business in Bremen, Germany
1859
Röhlig expands business into sea freight operations - becoming Röhlig Logistics Co. High success followed through securing goods for the return voyage - shipping luggage from Europe to the New World.
1910
Captain John Grindrod established a clearing and forwarding agency.
1913
Growth of trade between Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States - Röhlig Logistics Co. establishes itself as a leading player in sea freight forwarding.
1914-1918
World War I result in a sudden halt of trade between territories, disrupting Röhlig Logistics Co.'s core business.
1933
Grindrod is appointed as ships agent for African Coasters.
1939-1945
World War II causes another halt in trade and access to global routes.
1956
Röhlig Logistics Co. re-established global routers after the war and sets up branches, offices, and agencies across the globe. Expansion into air freight services contributes to further growth and success.
1971
Grindrod pioneers containerisation in South Africa and established the first container depot and service.
1985
Röhlig Logistics Co. experiences progressive and dynamic growth under new leadership (Thomas Herwig) – with a strong vision to preserve the company as a family-owned business.
1986
Grindrod lists shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange through a newly established holding company, Grindrod Unicorn Group Limited, known as Grincor.
1990-2000
Röhlig Logistics Co. continues to grow thanks to the globalisation of markets and increased ease of intercontinental communication.
2000
Röhlig-Grindrod is established. Röhlig Logistics Co. forms a partnership with Grindrod Limited to form Röhlig-Grindrod, bringing together more than 284 years of logistics experience.
