Bertschi Group prepares for generational change

Global logistics service provider Bertschi, which operates a fleet of 48,100 tank and dry bulk containers, is setting a course for the future.

In a milestone transition, Hans-Jörg Bertschi, the majority shareholder and executive chairman, plans to “pass the torch” to the family’s third generation, which includes three nephews Markus, Beat, and Jörg Berner. The gradual shift in responsibility for strategic management will occur in the “coming years,” the company reported.

Markus Berner (42), chief information officer since 2021 and member of the group management board, was elected vice vhairman of the board of directors at this year’s annual general assembly of Bertschi Holding AG. After a transitional phase, he will succeed Hans-Jörg as chairman of the board. Beat Berner (41), head of group HR and marketing since 2019, will be nominated to the board o of Bertschi Holding next year. Jörg Berner (38), strategic project manager since 2016 and member of the board since 2020, recently additionally took over as chairman of the board of directors of Elite Digital Logistics (EDL). EDL is an independently and neutrally managed global freight management service provider for the chemical industry, headquartered in Singapore and part of the Bertschi Group.

The operational management of the group under the leadership of CEO Jan Arnet for the asset-based business of Bertschi Group and CEO Ole Sander for EDL remains unchanged, the company added.

As part of this handover to the third generation, the second generation of the Bertschi family will gradually withdraw from active management of the group. Hans-Jörg (67), chairman of the board since 1997 and CEO of the group until 2018, will remain a member of the board following the planned future handover of the chairmanship to Markus. Brigitta Berner-Bertschi (69), who served for many years on the group management board of Bertschi until 2022 and has remained on the board of directors since, will retire from the board next year.

Over the past 40 years, this second generation has developed the family business from a medium-sized transportation company with a turnover of 50 million Swiss Francs, into a global market leader in chemical logistics with a turnover of 1 billion Swiss Francs, the company reported. The success of the family-owned Bertschi Group is based on the family's value system and long-term orientation. With clear ownership structures, the family wants to secure trust and identity among the management and employees—and thus also offer the company’s customers and other business partners long-term stability and continuity.

Based on this principle, Hans-Jörg will transfer the majority of shares in the group to his three nephews in the foreseeable future.