A vision born in a kitchen
“It all started in a small kitchen in Gothenburg in late 1993. That’s where Greencarrier was born.”
When Stefan Björk founded Greencarrier in the early 2000s, he was acting on a vision built on relationships, resilience, and a desire to create something greater. But as he recounts, the origins of the company trace back even further – to the late 1970s – when a close partnership with Evergreen Line in Taiwan set the wheels in motion for what would become a global logistics enterprise.
“We began as an agent in Sweden more than 45 years ago. The last 25 years have been particularly dynamic and inspiring.”
In 1979, Evergreen Line launched its container traffic to Europe and appointed the freight forwarder where Stefan worked as its Swedish forwarding agent. He quickly assumed commercial responsibility for all Evergreen operations in Sweden – an experience that would influence the future path of his own company.
In 2000, Stefan executed a management buyout that marked the formal beginning of Greencarrier, and as the logistics landscape evolved, so did Greencarrier – organically at first, but eventually through strategic mergers and acquisitions to meet rising customer expectations. From its humble beginnings, the business rapidly expanded from a local transport company to a well-established logistics provider.
The name “Greencarrier” is no coincidence – it reflects both the roots and the aspirations of the business. “Green” pays homage to Evergreen, while “carrier” reflects the core of the identity as a transportation company.
Lessons from the journey
Greencarrier’s growth has not come without challenges – especially in its early years.
“The hardest part was finding the right people. You can’t build something great alone. You need others who bring different experiences and perspectives.”
Whether it was stepping up during critical decision-making moments in the early 2000s or navigating changing logistics landscapes, Stefan’s journey is one of perseverance – and a belief in the strength of people coming together.
As a leader, Stefan’s biggest lessons have come during tough times.
“You learn the most when the wind is against you. Good times? Anyone can handle those. But difficulties – they teach you.”
The power of culture: Humor & Joy
One of the most defining traits of Greencarrier’s journey has been the company culture.
“To me, it’s not just about the company – it’s about people. I truly believe that two or three people working together are always stronger than one.”
Stefan highlights Greencarrier’s core values: Commitment, Involvement, Humor and Joy. While each is important, he notes that humor and joy are what truly set the company apart.
“You don’t find many companies that put humor and joy at the center of their values. It might be one of the most unique things about us.”
On growth, people and the future
Today, the Greencarrier Group employs over 300 people and operates across the Nordics, Baltics, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic and Singapore through its four independent business units specializing in transport and logistics solutions: Greencarrier Liner Agency, Greencarrier Consolidators, Hecksher and Lakeway Link. The Group is also home to the Swedish East India Company (SOIC) – including the Swedish Ship Götheborg and its trading and asset management legs – SOIC Global Trading and SOIC Asset Management.
While logistics remains the main focus, Greencarrier’s involvement extends beyond its core operations – investing in renewable energy, property and projects aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the sector. Stefan underscores that reinvesting is key for the future.
“To be sustainable and future-ready, a company needs to reinvest in people and innovation.”
His vision? To keep Greencarrier a workplace that’s attractive, dynamic, and buzzing with ideas.
“Hopefully, we’ll continue to be a place where people come to test ideas, to collaborate, to make a difference.”
From a kitchen table brainstorming session to becoming a global enterprise, Greencarrier’s journey is one of vision turned into reality. As we celebrate 25 years, we’re proud of how far we’ve come – and even more excited about what’s ahead.
