Express logistics vs. groupage: Why speed has become a strategic priority

The logistics industry is at a turning point in 2025. According to market analyses, the German courier, express and parcel logistics market is set to grow by 7.4 per cent annually from this year — driven by same-day requirements, digital production chains and rising customer expectations. While more and more companies are prioritising speed, many supply chains still rely on groupage carriers — even where they have long been too slow.

"Groupage works excellently for plannable shipments with standard requirements," says Timm Trede, CEO of zipmend Express. "But the moment a delivery becomes time-critical or fragile, the system reaches its limits." Conventional carriers are optimised for cost efficiency, not response time. "Drivers have very little time for collection and delivery. If no one is there to receive the shipment within five to ten minutes, they move on," Trede explains.

Express logistics is the direct counterpart to this model. It describes shipments where a consignment is transported directly from sender to recipient — without transhipment or intermediate storage. One vehicle is allocated exclusively to one order. This saves time, reduces damage and makes deliveries plannable, even when they are urgent.

How long an express shipment takes depends on the distance. Typical transit times are 3 to 24 hours for Europe-wide deliveries after booking. This makes express logistics the fastest form of road transport — and the only one that operates reliably outside fixed system schedules.

The costs are also clearly differentiated. An express delivery starts in the low three-figure range, depending on distance, vehicle size and weight. Yet while groupage often appears cheaper, production stoppages, contractual penalties or event delays can quickly prove far more expensive.

"Ultimately, it's not about speed for speed's sake," says Trede. "It's about ensuring an order is completed, a machine keeps running or an event takes place as planned. In those situations, express logistics isn't a luxury — it's risk management."

Press contact:

Timm Trede
press@zipmend.com