In June 2024, Florida-based Trailer Bridge, Inc., a full-service transportation provider, officially launched a subsidiary onto the European market, establishing its base in Frankfurt, Germany.
Trailer Bridge Europe (TBE) has a portfolio of services spanning landside transportation and ocean shipping, warehousing, freight forwarding, air transport and contract-specific solutions for both commercial and government shippers.
It is headed by industry veteran, Jason Trubenbach, whose experience includes a 20-year stint in the United States Army, where he was responsible for mobility policy and transportation planning and deployment.
In an interview with AJOT, he recalled some of the highlights of TBE’s start-up phase and its prospects for further growth.
He also commented on a possible surge in Defense spending in Europe as the continent builds up its military capabilities in the coming years in response to the threat posed by Putin’s Russia, and the specialized logistics expertise TBE can bring to the table to facilitate such growth.
Successful Start-up Phase
As to the main impetus behind the creation of TBE, Trubenbach pointed to the group’s commitment “to evolving alongside customers.”
He continued: “Trailer Bridge had already landed a few key contracts (in Europe) and we recognized that there were additional opportunities coming that would be available in the European theater to support the US military and which a dedicated subsidiary could capitalize on.
“In TBE’s start-up phase, we’ve delivered transportation solutions for our customers across 10 countries while supporting vital port operations. We’ve also provided critical support to Trailer Bridge’s Government division operations in Denmark and Norway,” Trubenbach explained.
“Each month brings more momentum, and seeing the direction TBE is headed is encouraging.”
In support of NATO, TBE has also assisted in the movement of 40 containers and four vehicles from Bucharest, Romania to Taranto, Italy, “showcasing our capability to coordinate complex, multinational projects with precision.”
It has played a role too in executing the first shipment under Trailer Bridge’s USTRANSCOM (United States Transportation Command) All Ports Denmark contract, valued at $60.5 million. In collaboration with TB’s Government division, TBE managed the transport of 1,722 pieces through Esbjerg, Denmark to the US.
“One of the biggest highlights in TBE’s start-up phase has been the work that we do to support the U.S. Army on a day-to-day basis throughout Europe and across the ‘big pond.’”
Recent Contract Win
Well over 90% of TBE’s current activity is military/Defense-related, stemming from links with its parent’s Government division which has landed multiple government and military contracts. The contacts that Trubenbach has built up over the past two and a half decades at NATO or the NSPA (NATO Support Procurement Agency) are also bearing fruit and generating business.
“While awaiting an official announcement, TBE has been informed it has tendered successfully for a European nation’s transportation program to support the military.
“I can’t say more at this stage other than to describe it as a big opportunity coming along in the next few months. Basically, we’re pitching for work with any of the European Alliance partner nations of the United States.”
Strategic Location
Working out of its own base in Frankfurt, has allowed TBE to get closer to its customers, a major advantage being that we share the same time zone.
“A direct presence has also enabled us to gain a first-hand understanding of the regulatory frameworks and rules in force in the military logistics sector in Europe and to what degree they align with those in the US.
Trubenbach lauded Frankfurt’s position as a strategic location. “I can be with multiple customers within an hour to an hour and a half’s drive. I can meet up with them regularly and from the office I can get to Frankfurt’s huge airport hub in less than 20 minutes.”
As is normal for a start-up, TBE has spent a lot of time over the past year marketing the business “and getting the word out about who we are and what we can do for various U.S. and NATO customers in Europe.
“Another major task has been to build an extremely competent team who provide us with all the necessary assets and capabilities to move cargo. We’ve come across a lot of companies who say, ‘we can do anything, anywhere’, but who are really particularly strong in certain areas. So, we’ve pulled all of this breadth of expertise together to create a powerful ensemble, and the result is steady month-over-month growth.”
TBE has also forged partnerships with incumbent counterparts in Europe, notably with Scan Global Logistics in Denmark and also in Poland and in the Baltics.
SME Size is a Strength
Trubenbach went to highlight TBE’s SME size as a major asset when it comes to customer service.
“First of all, let me make it clear that I think there’s a place for players of all sizes in our sector. However, the challenge facing larger companies is that they become very bureaucratic and operate for the most part in silos. In some cases, the different divisions of the same business are competing against each other, without even knowing it.
“If an existing or potential customer contacts TBE they get me on my personal cell phone. lf I’m in the middle of something when they call, I’ll get right back. They know they can reach me. And that’s a level of service I think larger companies just can’t offer and one that really differentiates us as an SME player.”
“We’re way more flexible and responsive and fluid (than our bigger counterparts). If, for example, a change needs to be made to a transportation plan already agreed, we can implement it quickly without having to notify, let’s say eight different offices to see that it doesn’t conflict with them.”
Setback with USEUCOM
However, putting down roots in Europe hasn’t been all easy sailing, as Trubenbach explained.
“One of the main reasons we established TBE was to provide dependable and responsive transportation support to the US Army. But we’ve run into some complications in tendering for business with the US European Command (USEUCOM).
The agency is responsible for managing relationships with commercial transportation providers to support military logistics across the European theater.
“Their current position is that there isn’t an immediate need for additional carriers in their network and that they’ve paused their vetting process at this time. While we understand their internal priorities and resource constraints, we do believe that there’s a strong case for engaging now with trusted partners and not waiting until there’s a surge requirement.”
“But we’ll continue to go the way we are going. We’re focusing elsewhere and doing work for prime contractors right now and helping them out in areas where they’re not particularly strong, such as surface transportation.”
‘Commercial’ Freight Ambitions
TBE remains committed to pursuing opportunities for non-military freight even though it is a very minor activity at present.
“The only way is up, right? We have several opportunities in the pipeline, including a big client in Europe with a lot of potential for growth. We’re working to complete the onboarding process and once that’s done we’ll start to see some regular commercial business coming in. There’s certainly a lot of interest around Project Cargo.
“We’re also monitoring President Trump’s tariffs policies and working closely with our commercial customers to see what it means for them and whether they need to reposition their manufacturing processes.”
European Push on Defense Spending
In conclusion, has there ever been a better time to have a direct presence in Europe to serve military logistics sector?
Following criticism from President Trump for not contributing enough financially to NATO, European members of the Alliance have reacted by pledging to more than double spending on Defense by 2035, the equivalent of 5% of GDP.
Increased investment on this level would transform the armaments industry in Europe with production output soaring.
Germany’s Rheinmetall, Europe’s biggest ammunition maker, is reported to be planning to boost its workforce by almost 30%.
“If confirmed, the surge in spending would obviously be a very positive environment in which to operate, I think the NSPA is bracing for a potential change in armament sourcing. Right now, about 65% of its dollars are spent on procurement from US suppliers but in the next five to ten years this could be reversed in favor of European firms. Rheinmetall is definitely gearing up for an increase in manufacturing capacity.”
Trubenbach added: Whether it’s moving military cargo within Europe or across the Atlantic we’re poised to help and provide the capabilities required.”
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