FAQ: Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG

This page answers the most frequently asked questions about the services, vehicles, processes, and location of Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG. The answers are aimed at companies looking for logistics services for bulk goods, dust and flowable materials, metal and waste transport, or general freight forwarding services.

Table of Contents

1. Company

What is Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG?

Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG is a logistics service provider headquartered in Meudt in the Westerwald. The company was founded in 1937 by Karl Michels as a sole proprietorship and is now managed in the fourth generation. With over 180 employees and a fleet of more than 100 vehicles, Michels provides transport and warehouse logistics services throughout Europe, specializing in bulk goods, dust and flowable materials, as well as metal and waste transport.

Where is Michels located and why is the location an advantage?

The company is located at Daimlerstraße 2, 56414 Meudt in the Westerwald, centrally situated between Cologne and Frankfurt am Main. From there, the A3, A5, A48, and A61 highways can be reached quickly. In addition, there are short connections to the Rhine ports of Bendorf, Koblenz, and Andernach, which in turn have direct connections to the seaports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. This location makes Michels a central transshipment point for the entire region.

Which certifications does Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG hold?

Michels is a certified waste management company according to § 56 of the Circular Economy Act (KrWG). This certification has been in place since 2005 and authorizes the company to transport all non-hazardous and hazardous wastes listed in the European Waste Catalogue.

What distinguishes a logistics service provider from a traditional freight forwarder?

A traditional freight forwarder organizes transport from point A to point B. A logistics service provider such as Michels additionally provides storage, cargo handling, ensiling, and filling from its own infrastructure. Michels has its own fleet, its own warehouses, a stationary silo system, a big bag filling station, a transfer station, and an in-house workshop. This makes it possible to manage several steps of the process chain itself instead of brokering them.

Does the company operate internationally?

Yes. Michels has a European network that has been built up since the mid-1960s. The company has an international focus and offers consultancy in all matters of freight forwarding and logistics.

What does Michels do for more sustainable logistics?

In 2023, photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of one megawatt and a transformer station were installed on the company premises in Meudt.

2. Transport Logistics

2.1 Silo Transport

What is silo transport?

Silo transport is the transport of dust and flowable materials in closed, pressure-resistant silo trailers. Unlike open tipper vehicles, the silo trailer fully protects the cargo from moisture, contamination, and product mixing. Unloading is carried out pneumatically, i.e. by compressed air, directly into the customer's receiving system.

Which goods are transported by silo transport?

Silo transport is used for goods in powder, granulate, or dust form that can be unloaded pneumatically. Typical goods at Michels are ceramic and refractory raw materials, raw materials for the glass industry, powdery and flowable products, combustion ashes, as well as non-hazardous and hazardous waste. Slightly moist and dusty goods can also be transported, provided the vehicles are equipped accordingly.

How does unloading work in silo transport?

A compressor on the vehicle generates compressed air that conveys the bulk material through a hose system directly into the recipient's silo or production plant. The process is dust-free, rules out open discharge, and also makes it possible to serve unloading points that are difficult to access. Soundproof covers on the compressors reduce noise pollution during unloading.

What is the difference between silo transport and tipper transport?

In silo transport, the goods are conveyed pneumatically and in a closed system directly into the recipient's receiving system. In tipper transport, the goods are unloaded by tipping the trailer, which means open discharge. Silo transport is therefore more hygienic, low in dust, and better suited to sensitive or fine-grained materials. For coarser bulk materials, Michels uses tipper trailers, tipping trailer combinations, or Walking-Floor vehicles.

Which vehicles does Michels use in silo transport?

Michels operates silo trailers with a payload volume of 42 to 63 cubic meters. Depending on the cargo, the vehicles are equipped with interior coatings, fabric mats, loosening membranes, or cooled compressors. Vehicles equipped in compliance with legal requirements are available for the transport of dangerous goods.

Can dangerous goods also be transported by silo transport?

Yes. Michels has silo vehicles that meet all legal requirements for the transport of dangerous goods according to ADR. As a certified waste management company according to § 56 KrWG, the company is authorized to transport hazardous waste both within Germany and across borders.

How are silo trailers cleaned and why is this important?

Silo trailers must be cleaned before each product change to rule out product contamination. For this purpose, Michels operates its own internal silo cleaning and drying facility at its Meudt site, which can also be used by third-party vehicles. For international transport, a European network of certified cleaning facilities is also available.

In which regions does Michels offer silo transport?

Michels offers silo transport for local and international long-distance transport. The area of operation covers Germany as well as other European countries.

2.2 Tipper Trailer Transport

Which goods are the tipper trailers suitable for?

The tipper trailers are suitable for all types of bulk materials, including ceramic raw materials. Thanks to weight-optimized aluminum bodies, even heavy materials can be transported economically.

What load volume do the tipper trailers offer and how are they unloaded?

The load volume is between 28 and 55 cubic meters. The vehicles can tip to two sides and are equipped with hoppers, grain outlets, and roll-over tarpaulins.

2.3 Tipping Trailer Transport

What distinguishes tipping trailer combinations from standard tipper trailers?

Tipping trailer combinations consist of a tractor unit and a trailer. This combination makes it possible to transport different goods at the same time, for example pallets on the tractor unit and loose bulk materials on the trailer.

How many Euro pallets can tipping trailer combinations carry?

The tipping trailer combinations are designed to transport up to 30 Euro pallets. They can tip on both sides and are equipped with lashing straps and anti-slip mats for load securing. This makes unloading easier, especially on tight construction sites or in halls with limited height.

2.4 Walking-Floor Transport

How does a Walking-Floor trailer work?

Walking-Floor trailers unload via hydraulically movable slats in the floor, without the vehicle having to tip. This makes unloading possible even in halls with limited ceiling height.

What payload volume does the Walking-Floor trailer have and what can it transport?

The payload volume is 85 cubic meters. The trailer can be loaded from the side, from the rear, or by crane and wheel loader. It is suitable for both palletized goods and loose goods.

2.5 Tautliner Transports

What advantages do tautliner trailers offer?

Tautliner trailers are fully air-suspended and offer 34 pallet spaces. They are equipped with anti-slip mats, edge protectors, and tie-down straps. Extendable and lowerable platforms allow for flexible loading and unloading.

2.6 Metal and Waste Transport

What is metal and waste transport?

Metal and waste transport covers the carriage of metals, scrap, and waste fractions from industrial processes, demolition, or disposal. These are classic bulk goods: bulky, heavy, and very varied in nature, ranging from clean steel scrap to sludge from metalworking companies.

Which metals and scrap does Michels transport?

Michels transports steel scrap and iron scrap in all common fractions, non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and copper, steel shavings including those with residual emulsion or coolant, sludge from metalworking companies, as well as hazardous waste within Germany and across borders.

Which vehicles does Michels use for metal and waste transport?

Modern steel tipping trailers with a payload volume of up to 55 cubic meters are used. The vehicles are of liquid-tight construction, which enables the transport of sludge, shavings with residual emulsion, and other moist fractions. All tipping semi-trailers are equipped with roll-over tarpaulins that protect moisture-sensitive goods during transport.

Who is responsible for the correct classification of the cargo?

The classification of the material, in particular the question of whether it is non-hazardous or hazardous waste, is the responsibility of the client. The freight forwarder can provide advice, but the obligation to declare lies with the consignor. Anyone who commissions a non-certified service provider to transport hazardous waste bears a considerable liability risk themselves.

Is every freight forwarder allowed to transport hazardous waste?

No. The transport of hazardous waste requires a transport permit according to § 54 KrWG or a certification as a waste management company according to § 56 KrWG. Michels has held this certification since 2005 and is authorized to transport all wastes listed in the European Waste Catalogue, nationally and internationally.

What needs to be considered for cross-border waste transport?

Cross-border shipments of waste are subject to the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1157, in force since May 21, 2026). Depending on the type of waste and the country of destination, an official notification may be required. Michels is DIWASS-registered and able to participate digitally in the notification procedure.

3. Warehouse Logistics

What storage options does Michels offer?

At its Meudt site, Michels operates warehouses with a total area of 45,000 square meters, including 30,000 square meters of open space and 12,000 square meters of hall space. In addition, a stationary silo system for dust and flowable materials, a transfer station, and a big bag filling station are available. Inventory management is digital.

Are temperature-controlled storage options available?

Yes. One of the warehouses is temperature-controlled and has high-bay racking with capacity for over 1,600 pallets.

What is Michels' stationary silo system and how is it structured?

The stationary silo system of Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG comprises six silos with a total volume of 760 cubic meters. It consists of four double-chamber silos with 2 x 60 cubic meters each and two silos with 140 cubic meters each. The system ensures dry and dust-free storage of various materials.

Which goods can be stored in the stationary silo system?

The stationary silo system is designed for industrial building materials and raw materials. Typical goods are cement, fly ash, compound, anhydrite, lime, and gypsum, as well as other mineral building materials and raw materials in dusty or granular form. The material must be flowable.

How does silo storage prevent supply bottlenecks?

Interim storage in the stationary silo system decouples production from customer demand. The producer delivers to the logistics hub in Meudt regardless of the customer's current demand. From there, Michels supplies customers in the region according to their needs with short transport routes. This buffer in the supply chain reduces the risk of supply bottlenecks and production downtime.

What does outsourcing logistics mean and when is it worthwhile?

Outsourcing logistics means transferring operational logistics processes such as storage, picking, packaging, and shipping to an external service provider. This is worthwhile when in-house capacities are insufficient, when specialized infrastructure is required, or when logistics is not part of the core business. The advantages are reduced fixed costs, scalability, and the ability to focus on your own core competencies.

4. Service and Cargo Handling

4.1 Cargo Handling and Transfer Station

What is cargo handling in logistics?

Cargo handling refers to the process of transferring goods from one means of transport or packaging unit to another means of transport or packaging unit. In the bulk goods sector, this includes, for example, unloading from a tipper truck, interim storage, and loading into a silo trailer or into big bags.

Which cargo handling options does Michels offer?

Michels offers various forms of cargo handling: filling loose goods into sacks or big bags, transferring from a tipper truck into a silo trailer, transferring sacks into big bags, loading big bags into silo trailers, as well as unloading containers and storing them or loading them into silo trailers. The focus is on connecting different forms of production and acceptance.

Can Michels also transfer weather-sensitive goods?

Yes. Michels' transfer station is designed to operate independently of weather conditions. The systems are equipped with dedusting units. Even moisture- or cold-sensitive bulk materials can be handled without any loss of quality.

Does Michels offer container unloading and loading?

Yes. Containers can be unloaded at the Meudt site. The goods can then be stored, handled, or loaded into silo trailers. Thanks to its proximity to the Rhine ports of Bendorf, Koblenz, and Andernach, Michels supports intermodal transport chains.

4.2 Silo Ensiling

What is silo ensiling?

Silo ensiling is the transfer of materials from sacks or big bags into silo vehicles. Michels offers this service in-house with the necessary expertise and the appropriate equipment.

Can a specific target weight be set during ensiling?

Yes. Whether transferring from silos into big bags or loading silo trailers using big bags, the desired weight can be filled directly and with precision.

4.3 Big Bag Filling Station

What is big bag filling and what is it used for?

Big bags are large, flexible bulk containers made of woven plastic fabric. Big bag filling refers to the process of filling loose bulk materials from silos or silo vehicles into these containers. The result is manageable units that are easier to store and transport onward than loose bulk materials. Michels operates its own big bag filling station at its Meudt site.

How does the big bag filling station work?

Loose bulk materials are transferred automatically, dust-free, and safely from a storage silo into big bags of various types and sizes. An integrated scale enables filling accurate to the kilogram. A vibrating table compacts the bulk material to produce big bags that are stable in shape and stand securely. Granular, powdery, fine powder, and granulate bulk materials are processed.

Can Michels combine transport, storage, and big bag filling?

Yes. At the Meudt site, the fleet, stationary silo system, warehouses, and big bag filling station are combined on one premises. A customer can have their goods delivered, then filled into big bags and stored temporarily or transported onward. All steps are carried out by Michels itself.

4.4 Silo Cleaning Facility

Why is cleaning silo vehicles so important?

For bulk materials, high-quality transport is only possible if the vehicles are properly cleaned from the inside after every material change to prevent contamination.

Can third-party vehicles also use the silo cleaning facility?

Yes. The in-house internal silo cleaning and drying facility is also available to third-party vehicles after every material change. In addition, Michels has a European network of certified cleaning stations that rinse and dry silo trailers in accordance with international standards.

4.5 Truck Wash Bay and Truck Workshop

Does Michels have its own vehicle care and maintenance facilities?

Yes. The company premises in Meudt include a truck wash bay and an in-house truck workshop. This allows the entire fleet to be serviced and maintained on site.

5. Career and Team

Is Michels regularly looking for new employees?

Yes. Michels is always looking for committed employees. Current job openings are available via the job board on the website. Unsolicited applications are expressly welcome, via the online form or by phone at +49.6435.9621.0.

Does Michels offer apprenticeships and internships?

Yes. For students, Michels offers apprenticeship and internship opportunities in the logistics industry. Further information and offers can be found at www.michels-azubi.de.

What benefits does Michels offer as an employer?

Among other things, Michels offers opportunities for professional growth through training and continuing education programs, company pension plans with contributions from the company, ergonomic workstations and modern equipment, company bike leasing, as well as job security in an established and growing company.

How can I apply to Michels?

Applications can be submitted via the online application form on the website. At the end of the form, you can upload your cover letter, CV, and certificates. Alternatively, you can apply by phone at +49.6435.9621.0.

Do you have any further questions?

The team at Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG will be happy to help. You can reach us by phone at +49.6435.9621.0 or via the contact form on the website.

Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG | Daimlerstraße 2 | 56414 Meudt / Westerwald | www.spedition-michels.de