Born in Bremen, he developed the Leschaco Group into a leading logistics service providers in the field of dangerous goods and tank container logistics in recent years as sole owner and managing director.
Last year, he initiated the generational change by handing over the majority shares to his children Charlotte Palermo and Constantin Conrad. He was CEO and responsible for the tank container, air freight, contract logistics, legal and insurance as well as the terminal in Emden, Germany, until the end.
For many years, he contributed his experience in the logistics market and his international contacts to numerous honorary positions in the industry and the community, enriching them with his entrepreneurial knowledge. For example, he was Honorary Consul of the United Mexican States in the State of Bremen, a member of the Haus Seefahrt, the state board of trustees Bremen of Stifterverband Wissenschaft und Technologie and a member of the advisory board of the school for Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Transport in Bremen and at Bremenports.
A memorial service was held on 8 November at the St Petri Dom in Bremen.
He leaves behind his wife Elke Conrad, his children Charlotte Palermo and Constantin Conrad and their families.
New acquisition
Leschaco acquired the activities of Colombian logistics provider Coltrans in December 2022.
For more than 30 years, Coltrans has been part of the Leschaco Group’s agent network, so that a close business relationship already exists on many levels.
With the acquisition, the 500 employees will also move under the Leschaco umbrella.
This was the company’s second acquisition in 2022. In February, Leschaco took over Transantartic (TPL), a freight forwarding company based in Lima, Peru. In the Americas, Leschaco has been represented for decades by its own subsidiaries in the USA, Brazil, Mexico and Chile and continues to expand its network.
Colombia is one of the largest emerging markets in Latin America and offers great growth potential on all global transport routes, the group stated.
“We are very pleased to welcome our new Colombian colleagues and customers. The acquisition fits ideally into our existing network and has a high strategic importance for us. It strengthens our business activities in one of the most attractive economies in Latin America. With this step, we are further expanding our presence in the Americas region, which is key for us, for the benefit of our customers,” said Constantin Conrad.
Grupo Empresarial Coltrans started operations in 1988 and is today one of the leading local logistics companies in Colombia. The company provides global logistics services including import and export services in different transport modes, as well as customs clearance, warehousing and intermodal transport. Headquartered in Bogotá, the company also operates offices in the logistics strongholds of Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Pereira, Buenaventura, Cartagena and Ipiales.
“The entry into the Colombian market and the acquisition of the Coltrans product portfolio are an excellent strategic addition to Leschaco’s existing global network. Our local and international customers will benefit from this,” said Martin Sack, regional head Americas.
With the new locations in Colombia, Leschaco is now represented in 24 countries. Services in the core business areas of sea and air freight, tank containers and contract logistics are offered at all locations.
