Milestones at O.T.S. ASTRACON
Company history
Since the company was founded in 1994, we have been a sought-after service provider in the international transport and logistics sector.
September 2023
Relocation within Überseestadt, Bremen
The moving of the sea freight division in the heart of the Überseestadt Bremen to “Konsul-Smidt-Straße 68 a” underlines the commitment of O.T.S. ASTRACON International Air + Sea Forwarder GmbH to continuously improve customer service and increase efficiency.
January 2023
New brand identity
Bridging tradition and modernity: O.T.S. ASTRACON’s new brand identity will be rolled out at all sites from January 2023.
April 2022
Climate neutral company
O.T.S. ASTRACON air + sea transport systems GmbH has made its operations climate neutral. The CO₂ footprint determined by independent certifiers is offset annually, and the company continues to pursue a sustainable reduction of CO₂ and supports the UN’s climate targets.
March 2021
Reorganization of the management
Mr. Michael Steingens is appointed as the sole managing partner of both companies – O.T.S. ASTRACON International Air + Sea Forwarder GmbH and O.T.S. ASTRACON air + sea transport systems GmbH.
November 2016
Relocation to new building, Bremen
O.T.S. ASTRACON in Bremen moves into the now completed new office building with considerably more space in Bremen’s Überseestadt. The new address is: Konsul-Smidt-Straße 19, 28217 Bremen, Germany
March 2012
X-ray scanner put into service
Since April, O.T.S. ASTRACON has been operating its own X-ray security equipment with aviation security screening personnel approved by the German Federal Aviation Authority (LBA). As an international logistics service provider, we now screen shipments and deliver them to airlines with the status “secured”.
August 2011
Branch office opening at Frankfurt Airport
O.T.S. ASTRACON opens a branch office directly at the important hub for international airfreight in Europe at Frankfurt Airport.
March 2011
Certification to AEO-F standard, Bremen
In March, O.T.S. ASTRACON international air + sea forwarder GmbH in Bremen received the AEO-F certificate from the Main Customs Office Bremen as “Authorized Economic Operator” (reference no. DE002300).
February 2011
Change of name to O.T.S. ASTRACON
The identity of the group of companies in Europe and the USA will be placed under a common roof and the joint development potentials will be further deepened. With immediate effect, the ASTRACON Group in Germany will operate under the name O.T.S. ASTRACON (O.T.S. ASTRACON air+sea transport systems GmbH).
March 2010
Certification according to AEO-F standard, Stuttgart
ASTRACON Stuttgart has been certified since March by the main customs office in Stuttgart as an “Authorized Economic Operator” (AEO) for customs simplification and security according to AEO-F standard (reference no. DE009550).
January 2008
LBA Approval Regulated Agent
As one of the first German airfreight companies ASTRACON receives the approval as Regulated Agent (RegB) by the Luftfahrtbundesamt (LBA) and fulfills procedures and methods of the requirements of the Regulation (EC) No. 300/2008.
November 2006
Expansion of storage and handling capacities
The cargo depot at the ASTRACON site near Stuttgart Airport is expanded by the acquisition of an adjacent warehouse due to increased freight volumes. The larger storage capacities and shorter handling times optimize all processes.
April 2004
Move-in to new ASTRACON company building
In Elly-Beinhorn-Strasse 6, within direct sight of Stuttgart Airport, ASTRACON has created a centrally located and modern site with the now completed new headquarters. In Ostfildern, there is now room for further growth, more independence and an excellent working environment for the employees.
December 2003
Relocation of the ASTRACON Bremen
ASTRACON in Bremen now employs more staff than can be accommodated at the site in Windhukstr. 20/26. The moving to Speicher XI, No. 3 in Bremen’s Überseestadt responds to this development and again creates more space for further development.
July 2003
Groundbreaking ceremony for new building, Ostfildern/Stuttgart
The premises and storage capacities in Neuhausen no longer meet the increased demand. Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of our own company building at Elly-Beinhorn-Strasse 6 (Industriegebiet Wittumsäcker, 73760 Ostfildern, Germany).
January 2001
Company foundation of ASTRACON International Air+Sea Forwarder GmbH, Bremen
The positive development of the sea freight business contributes significantly to ASTRACON’s further growth. With the foundation of ASTRACON International Air+Sea Forwarder GmbH in Bremen, the optimized handling of worldwide sea freight can be controlled and coordinated even better.
October 2000
Full charter debut
There are massive capacity bottlenecks on the Atlantic routes and ASTRACON charters a cargo aircraft – a Boeing 747 – from Stuttgart Airport for the first time.
April 1999
Relocation to Neuhausen/Fildern
In order to meet the increased demand for space and to allow further opportunities for growth, ASTRACON moves to larger premises in Neuhausen/Fildern.
May 1997
Company foundation of O.T.S. ASTRACON L.L.C., USA
Together with the Italian freight forwarding company OTS, the company O.T.S. ASTRACON L.L.C. is founded in Charlotte (North Carolina, USA).
February 1997
Certified freight forwarding company
ASTRACON becomes a certified forwarding company and optimizes its quality management processes according to DIN EN ISO 9001.
July 1994
Founding year 1994
ASTRACON air + sea transport concept GmbH is founded in July 1994 (Air Sea TRAnsport CONcept). The company is located in Riederich near Reutlingen, the first employee is Mr. Patrik Häbe.
