Founded in Meudt by Karl Michels as a sole proprietorship. As a self-driving entrepreneur, Karl Michels transported clay from various clay pits to the railway loading station using a small truck.

Acquisition of two trucks with trailers to transport clay from local clay pits to tile manufacturers throughout Germany.

Transfer of the company to the second generation. The business is now managed by Karl Michels’ son-in-law, Engelbert Kloft.

Expansion of business activities to long-distance transport across Europe.

Relocation of the company from the town center to the newly developed industrial area in Meudt. On a site of approximately 60,000 m², a hall with a pit for vehicle repairs and storage facilities is constructed. The outdoor areas are used as parking and storage spaces

Establishment of an independent workshop operation, where both company-owned and external vehicles are maintained and repaired.

Takeover of the company by Karl-Heinz Kloft.

Renaming to Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG. Karl-Heinz Kloft becomes Managing Director.

Construction of two storage halls for ceramic masses and ceramic raw materials.

The fleet is expanded and now consists of various silo, tipper, tarpaulin, and flatbed trucks with different superstructures. The transported goods include steel, steel guardrails, clay, building materials, as well as metal waste (ferrous and non-ferrous metals).

Certification as a specialist waste disposal company enables the opening of additional business fields, such as the transport of specially monitored waste. The Karl Michels GmbH & Co. KG forwarding company is now authorized to carry all hazardous waste listed in the European Waste Catalogue. Planning of office renovations and extensions as well as expansion of the workshop.

At the beginning of the year, construction of the office and workshop begins. In the middle of the year, the move into the new office takes place. Additionally, the workshop is expanded with an integrated truck washing facility, and the company’s own fleet is enlarged in all areas, especially in metal and silo transport.

Despite the challenging situation caused by numerous regulations, laws, and ordinances, we are able to maintain our position in the market even in the year of the financial crisis.

Receipt of the "GMP – Good Manufacturing Practice" certificate. The scope mainly covers road transport of feed and grain under the strictest rules that go beyond national and EU regulations. The new GMP certificate, together with the certification as a certified waste disposal company in 2005, strengthens our position in the transport industry

The sons Matthias and Sebastian Kloft joined the company as co-partners on August 1, 2013. On the same day, six young men, including five future professional truck drivers, started their training at Spedition Michels. Construction of a new bulk goods hall with three compartments for interim storage of ceramic raw materials.

Construction of a high silo storage facility, providing storage capacity for powdered goods. The high silo storage consists of four upright silos, each with a capacity of 120 m³.

Installation of a truck scale, along with continuous renewal of the fleet.

Construction of an additional warehouse on the company premises.

Construction work on the new administration building is progressing according to plan. Completion is scheduled for September 2017.

At the end of the year, the existing silo facility will be expanded by two additional silos.

Construction of a Big Bag filling system.

Construction of a new storage tent on the company premises.

Move into the new administrative building.

Every year, we train specialists in freight forwarding and logistics services as well as professional truck drivers. On our trainee landing page www.michels‑azubi.de, interested candidates can learn about our training professions and get in touch directly via WhatsApp. The page provides a concise overview of the professions and trainee experiences at Karl Michels Spedition.

Starting November 2019, our new transshipment station is available. This new facility allows us to transfer bulk goods from tipper trucks into, for example, big bags, silo trailers, silo containers, or other tipper trucks. The station can be used regardless of weather conditions, enabling us to handle high-quality goods that are sensitive to moisture and cold without any loss of quality.

Storage areas are being covered to ensure protection of goods from weather conditions and to increase efficiency in the storage process. This measure contributes to expanding storage capacity and to the long-term optimization of warehouse operations.

In 2020, our bulk material storage box will be covered to better protect the stored materials from weather exposure. This investment enables secure and weather-independent storage of bulk goods while simultaneously optimizing the efficiency and reliability of our logistics processes.

In 2021, our entire high-silo system will be insulated and enclosed. In addition to the positive visual effect, this also improves temperature stability at the silo walls.

Expansion of our dispatch offices.

Construction of warehouse number 5 on the company premises.

At the end of 2023, we participated for the first time in the career information fair in Montabaur. We too feel the challenge of the skilled labor shortage and are taking active measures to counteract it. These include various campaigns, a new apprentice website (www.michels‑azubi.de), as well as paid internships to specifically attract potential trainees.

In 2023, photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of one megawatt and a transformer station will be installed on our company premises.

In 2024, we will continue our efforts to attract trainees to our company. For the first time, we will participate in the Training Day in Salz and throughout the year attend various other career fairs to directly engage with interested young people. Through ongoing campaigns and additional initiatives, we aim to inspire and recruit talented young professionals for the future.