Taking customs action: Gaston Schul strengthens position in the Nordics and Europe.

As published on Logistikknyhetene.no: https://www.logistikknyhetene.no/post/tar-toll-grep-styrker-posisjonen-i-norge-og-europa.

Gaston Schul takes a firm hold: Strengthening its position in the Nordics

The Gaston Schul Group, Europe's largest independent customs brokerage company, plans to significantly strengthen its position in Norway and the Nordic region. Konrad Kuhlman will lead the Norwegian and other Scandinavian operations.

"We are working on establishing a European network where we can offer our full-service portfolio on a full European scale," an enthusiastic Rob Ewalds tells Logistiknyhetene.no.

Rob Ewalds, 100% owner of the group, shares in this interview with Logistiknyhetene.no some very interesting thoughts on how they are approaching the Nordic market for the future.

"Our goal is to be the leading provider of customs and trade services in Europe. We offer what we call a full-service concept to major logistics service providers, direct shippers and freight forwarders," says Ewalds.

And what is the background for this?

"I started the company in 1999 after studying Economics at the University of Amsterdam, with a focus on 'only customs'. Alongside my own company, I was very active as a board member in the logistics industry. First as a board member of the Dutch Forwarding Association and later also as a board member of CLECAT, the European association for forwarding, transport, logistics, and customs services. Eventually, I did the same for the association Transport and Logistics Netherlands (TLN)."

So, is that how you became a leading entrepreneur?

"Yes, and I am still full of energy to work together with our Gaston Schul team towards our goals and strategy. I also see it as an important task for me and my board colleagues to promote the company's values. 'Friendliness' is part of the DNA of this family-owned business. And it should apply to colleagues, customers, or other stakeholders in our business. We believe in the power of this friendliness," Ewalds emphasises.

And then it became Norway?

"It all started in 2022. Gaston Schul acquired Oslo Customs Brokers, and we established an office in Kløfta north of Oslo. We still operate there but under the name Gaston Schul. This rebranding is part of our strategy to unify all our activities under one brand name," says Ewalds.

But why Norway specifically?

"The background for establishing in Norway is the proximity to the Norwegian/Swedish border concerning customs services. Subsequently, we intend to expand our footprint in all Scandinavian countries. We are now implementing this intention with activities also in Sweden and opening an office in Strömstad next month."

And what will be the next step?

"It is likely to include Denmark in our portfolio, and eventually Finland. This is part of our larger strategy to be the leading European customs and trade service provider. Some may call us a customs broker, but we are a bit more than that. By this I mean we are working on establishing a European network where we can offer our full-service portfolio on a full European scale," an enthusiastic Rob Ewalds tells Logistiknyhetene.no.

What can the Gaston Schul Group offer?

"As mentioned, our goal is to be the leading provider of customs and trade services in Europe. We offer what we call a full-service concept to major logistics service providers and direct shippers. Full-service means that we offer import, export, and transit documentation, but also consultancy, training, digital solutions, and a control tower solution. Think customs, call us!” is the appeal from Ewalds.

He currently leads a company that has been in this business for nearly 180 years and today has around 350 employees in almost eight countries.

This includes an EU agent network with services throughout Europe.

And now you are working on developing this network further?

“Yes, outside the EU, we have ambitions to start operations on other continents. We believe it is justified to call ourselves the super-specialist with the best knowledge in digitalisation and customer focus in the market. But limited to customs only,” Ewalds emphasises.

And why is that?

“We are after all the only remaining independent privately-owned customs and trade service provider in Western Europe offering services in multiple countries. This is a very important resource for our customers. They demand a service provider that only focuses on customs. Take in mind that we prepare confident declarations with significant financial risk for our customers. It’s not just about creating documents, but creating compliant flow of goods,” Ewalds emphasises.

Rob Ewalds leads the only remaining independent privately-owned customs and trade service provider in Western Europe, offering services in multiple countries.

Who are the customers?

“We focus our services on customers of a certain scale, such as large manufacturers of goods and logistics service providers. These customers often struggle in the customs arena regarding compliance in quality, efficiency, and with the price and costs of importing/exporting their products.”

And he continues:

“Therefore, we offer partnerships and proactive solutions to these customers, enabling them to solve pain points. That’s also why we offer the full-service model. We focus our business on sectors like fish, fresh produce, retail, automotive, and leisure.”

Why invest in the Nordic region?

“We believe in the concept of offering an EU customs and trade solution, as this is important for our customers. The Nordic region is an important part of this EU network. Secondly, the Nordic region is also a large market with significant potential for us, not least in fresh produce.”

What kind of company is Gaston Schul Group and who is Rob Ewalds?

“As mentioned, a company with origins dating back 180 years in 2025. I have been the owner of Gaston Schul since 1999, the name is after the founder. Later, I also took over my father Jacob Meijer’s company, which I later merged. So, the history goes back to 1845. Over the years, we have grown organically through acquisitions, but we have always focused on customs and independence,” says the customs entrepreneur.

Solid Nordic Leadership

Konrad Kuhlman will lead the Norwegian and Scandinavian operations as Gaston Schul Customs strengthens its position in the Scandinavian and European customs market.

Konrad Kuhlman is a well-known name in transport and logistics circles in Norway and will now lead the Norwegian and Scandinavian operations of Gaston Schul Customs.

“We are very pleased to have Kuhlman on board with the company since the beginning of this year. He has a lot of experience from our industry, including a senior leadership role in the former KGH organization and later Maersk. Here he was responsible for the company’s operations in several countries in Western Europe. Kuhlman will lead our Nordic operations, alongside our German activities. Tore Johansen remains responsible for our operations in Norway,” says Rob Ewalds.

A Clear, Strategic Leader

As Logistiknyhetene.no mentioned earlier, Konrad Kuhlman moved to the global customs service provider at the turn of the year and into the role of Country Manager Nordics & Germany, after ten years at KGH Customs Services/Maersk.

Gaston Schul Group thus acquired a clear and strategic leader with a master’s degree in management, economics, and logistics.

Kuhlman has a long success story as CEO in several logistics companies with turnover of several billion NOK.

He has national and international experience in leadership, performance improvement, and business development.

After over 20 years in the industry, Kuhlman has established an extensive international network of contacts. His business area has been change management, performance improvement, M&A, development, and strategy within the logistics sector through prominent board positions and in close cooperation with employees and unions.

Facts: Gaston Schul Group

• Gaston Schul is a global full-service provider of customs and trade services, assisting transport and logistics companies as well as multinational corporations and direct shippers in customs matters.

• In 2022, Gaston Schul acquired the Norwegian customs specialist Oslo Customs Brokers (OCB), which later was named Gaston Schul Customs AS. The acquisition was an important part of the European growth ambitions of the Dutch company Gaston Schul. Today, the company offers full-service customs access within the Scandinavian market.

• As of next month, the company is opening an office in Strömstad and thereby starting its operations in Sweden.

• The focus is on relieving companies of all customs formalities, as well as seizing new business opportunities in relation to international trade.

• Gaston Schul is a privately owned, independent expert in full-service customs service provider since 1845, navigating the complexities of international trade for nearly 180 years.

• The company has over 350 customs specialists spread across 14 locations in Norway, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, and Germany.

• Gaston Schul has access to a strong global customs network to support customer demands worldwide.