From Italy specialist to European transport expert

Since 2023, Stuttgart-based ERKA has been part of the Noerpel Group. The acquisition strengthens Noerpel's own general cargo network and significantly expands its European transport operations.

1977

Erich Klaschka founded Internationale Spedition ERKA in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt. Shortly after the company was established, his younger brother Wolfgang Klaschka joined the management team as managing partner. ERKA initially focused on imports from Italy before expanding its services to include exports to Italy. Wolfgang Klaschka left the company in 2020.

1980

Manfred Kapp joined the company as Managing Director and export specialist, building up ERKA's export services to Italy.

1996

ERKA expanded its regular linehaul services to the United Kingdom. Following the retirement of Managing Director Manfred Kapp, Jürgen Bauer assumed management responsibility. Over the next 27 years, he transformed the company from a leading Italy specialist into one of Western Europe's leading providers of export and import general cargo services.

2001

ERKA relocated to Stuttgart-Weilimdorf with around 80 employees. The site includes a transhipment facility covering approximately 8,500 square metres.

2002 - 2009

ERKA continuously expanded its network across Western Europe, introducing regular services to Spain and Portugal (2002), Ireland (2003), Switzerland (2004), Austria (2006) and France (2009).

2013 - 2016

The company further extended its transport network by integrating Poland (2013) as well as Belgium and Greece (2016).

2016

ERKA achieved certification in accordance with the DIN EN ISO 9001 quality management standard.

2017 - 2023

Over the following years, ERKA established regular linehaul services to additional destinations, including the Netherlands (2017), the Baltic States and Finland (2022), and Scandinavia (2023). With the introduction of innovative relay transport concepts serving Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Italy, ERKA set new benchmarks for transit times and service quality. This operating model consistently delivered transit-time advantages of at least one day compared with competing providers.

2023

Thanks to its dedicated employees, efficient transport concepts and strong international connections, ERKA is now recognised as one of Western Europe's leading freight forwarding companies and holds a top position in the international market.

01.05.2023

With retrospective effect from the beginning of the year, Erich Klaschka transferred ownership of the company to the Noerpel Group in May 2023. The long-standing partnership between the two family-owned businesses was thus placed on a new footing under the umbrella of the Noerpel Group.