We recently had the privilege of interviewing Tim Oltmann, Founder & CEO of Transport
Overseas Group, a company built based on deep sector expertise and a genuinely international mindset. Rooted in reliability, transparency, and customer-centricity, Tim’s has grown the group into a global logistics and freight forwarding company. With a flexible operating model, Tim Oltmann designed the logistics solutions from the outset around customer-specific challenges, not standard products.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “How did your professional journey begin, and what key moments shaped where you are currently?”
Tim shared, “My career began with a strong interest in international trade and how physical goods move across borders. Early on, I was exposed to the complexity behind what many people see as a simple shipment — the coordination between ports, carriers, customs authorities, and customers across different cultures and regulatory environments. That experience gave me a deep respect for the logistics profession as a strategic enabler of global business.
A defining moment in my journey was the decision to found Transport Overseas Group. I saw a clear opportunity to build a company that combined deep sector expertise with a genuinely international mindset. Starting the business from the ground up — from building the first customer relationships to establishing our regional presence — shaped my leadership philosophy around resilience, adaptability, and the importance of long-term partnerships.”
More about Tim Oltmann’s Role
We then asked, “Can you tell us more about your current role and the organization you lead or represent?”
He mentioned, “As Founder and CEO of Transport Overseas Group, my role is to set the long-term vision of the company while ensuring we remain true to our core values — reliability, transparency, and customer-centricity. What began as an entrepreneurial venture has grown into a global logistics and freight forwarding group with a strong focus on automotive, high-and-heavy, and project cargo across the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe.
My day-to-day work spans strategic expansion, digital transformation, and building leadership teams that can operate with local insight while executing on a global strategy. The entrepreneurial spirit that shaped our early years remains central to how we approach growth and innovation today.”
Core Offerings at Transport Overseas Group
Interested to learn more about the core services or products provided by Tim Oltmann’s company, and what makes them unique, we asked him to share the same.
“Transport Overseas Group specializes in end-to-end logistics solutions for complex cargo. This includes automotive logistics, RoRo and finished vehicle shipping, heavy-lift and breakbulk, construction and agricultural equipment, and full project cargo management.
What differentiates us is that our solutions were designed from the outset around customer-specific challenges, not standard products. As a founder-led organization, we’ve been able to build a flexible operating model that integrates ocean, air, and land transport with customs, compliance, and on-the-ground execution in emerging and established markets alike,” Tim responded.
Adaptability Amidst Uncertainties
Challenges are an inevitable part of every business. So, we asked Tim Oltmann, “What major challenges have you faced as a leader, and how have you overcome them?”
“Building a company in a highly competitive, global industry has been both the greatest challenge and the greatest reward. In the early stages, establishing credibility with multinational clients and partners required a relentless focus on performance and trust.
More recently, navigating global disruption — from supply chain volatility to geopolitical uncertainty — has reinforced the importance of diversification and strong regional leadership. We’ve overcome these challenges by staying close to our customers, empowering our teams, and remaining agile in how we invest and expand,” he explained.
Impact of AI on Logistics Ecosystem
To learn how AI is impacting the logistics sector, we asked Tim Oltmann, “How do you see technology — especially AI — influencing your sector?”
Tim mentioned, “Technology is fundamentally reshaping logistics, and AI is at the center of that transformation. We’re moving from reactive operations to predictive and proactive models. AI is enabling better demand forecasting, route optimization, and real-time visibility across complex, multi-country supply chains.
As a founder, I’m particularly focused on how digital platforms can scale the personal service that differentiates us. The goal is not to replace human expertise, but to augment it — allowing our teams to focus on strategic problem-solving while technology handles routine processes and data analysis.”
Envisioning the Future
We then asked, “What’s your perspective on where your industry is heading in the next few years?”
Tim added, “The industry is moving toward greater specialization and deeper integration. Customers increasingly expect logistics partners who understand their specific sectors — whether that’s automotive, infrastructure, or energy — rather than generalist service providers.
At the same time, sustainability, compliance, and regionalization of supply chains will shape how logistics networks are designed. For founder-led companies like ours, this presents an opportunity to stay agile, invest selectively, and grow alongside our customers in both mature and emerging markets.”
Message to Young Professionals
Lastly, we asked, “What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or professionals aiming to create impact?”
Tim shared, “My advice is to focus on building something meaningful, not just something fast. Founding a business teaches you that long-term success comes from understanding your customers, empowering your people, and staying true to your values even when growth brings complexity.
Be willing to take calculated risks, especially when entering new markets or adopting new technologies, but always keep a long-term perspective. And above all, invest in relationships — in global industries like logistics, trust and reputation are your most valuable assets.”
Connect with Tim Oltmann on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
Follow Transport Overseas Group on LinkedIn and visit https://www.to-group.com to learn more.
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