Lufthansa Cargo announced on 31OCT25 that its EU customs clearance subsidiary, CB Customs Broker, and digital e-commerce transport solutions subsidiary, heyworld, will merge to become a single company from 01JAN26. At the same time, the respective companies’ Managing Directors, Uwe Glunz who has held the position since mid-2021 and Boris Hueske, who took on the role in early 2023, will be stepping down to take up new roles within the Lufthansa Cargo Group. The press release includes thanks to the gentlemen from Lufthansa Cargo’s Executive Board, “for their dedicated service and significant contributions in the past years.” In their stead follow two new Managing Directors, who will jointly lead the new company: Murat Odabas for CB Customs Broker, and Nikola Todic for heyworld GmbH. “Both leaders are committed to ensuring a smooth integration and continued excellence in customer service,” the release underlines – but it fails to explain whether the merged single company will have a new name.
Reason for the merger? Apparently a strategic move “to create new opportunities for growth and innovation [and creating] a unique one-stop offering for cross-border logistics solutions at parcel level. […] Customers with high volumes of cross-border parcel shipments will gain access to a superior level of service and expertise through the newly formed company. Tailored logistics services will combine advanced customs brokerage with cross-border transport solutions and seamless digital integration. This holistic approach is designed to improve speed, transparency, and efficiency across the entire supply chain.” If both companies have been so successful in their respective fields thus far, is the merger really necessary or is it a cost decision, perhaps?
Ashwin Bhat, CEO Lufthansa Cargo AG, announced: “The merger of CB Customs Broker and heyworld represents a key milestone in our strategic ambition of developing beyond airport-to-airport solutions. By combining their complementary strengths and expertise, we are creating a unique offering in the field of cross-border parcel logistics – one that further enhances our market position and enables us to serve customers with even greater value and precision. Over the past years, both companies have made valuable contributions to Lufthansa Cargo’s success and growth in this dynamic segment, driven by their entrepreneurship and innovative spirit.”
Murat Odabas commented: “I’m looking forward to bringing both teams together to ensure seamless business continuity and to further develop tailored and innovative logistics solutions for our customers.” Nikola Todic stated: “Combining our strengths will allow us to deliver smarter, more integrated services while driving innovation and efficiency across borders.”
