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Founded in Lithuania in 1996, the logistics giant operates more than 9,000 vehicles, but faces increasing scrutiny over its labor practices and regulatory compliance.
Girteka, a logistics company based in Lithuania, has established itself as the operator of the largest truck fleet in Europe based on owned assets. Through aggressive and continuous growth, the company has become a dominant force in freight transport on the continent. However, its success story is accompanied by significant controversies regarding its operational and labor practices.
The company’s strategy is based on a massive and modern fleet, specializing in high-value cargo and a strong investment in digitization. However, the image of “Responsible Logistics” that the company promotes is often confronted by allegations questioning its conduct, creating a complex scenario for the future of the Lithuanian giant.
The Journey of Girteka, From a Single Truck in 1996 to a European Power
The story of Girteka began modestly. In 1996, in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, Mindaugas Raila, then 24 years old, founded the company with the purchase of a single used truck. The initial growth was methodical, and by 2006, on its tenth anniversary, the company already owned a fleet of 400 trucks.
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International expansion gained momentum starting in 2013 with the acquisition of the Norwegian company Thermomax, followed by the purchase of Thermo-Transit in 2015. These acquisitions strengthened Girteka’s presence in Scandinavia and deepened its expertise in temperature-controlled logistics. From 2016 onward, the company entered a phase of exponential growth, more than doubling its fleet in just three years.
How Does the Largest Truck Fleet in Europe Operate?
The success of Girteka is linked to its “asset-based” business model, meaning the company owns its own fleet of trucks and trailers. Unlike competitors that subcontract third parties, this approach ensures that Girteka has complete control over the quality and availability of its services, a crucial differentiator for high-value clients, such as those in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.
The company focuses its operations on Full Truck Load (FTL) transport and has specialized in segments that require special care. To manage the complexity of such a large fleet, Girteka has invested heavily in digitization. In 2020, it announced a strategic partnership with SAP to digitize all of its operations by 2025, also using artificial intelligence tools to optimize routes and load allocation.
The Modernization and Purchase of 2,000 Trucks in 2025
The largest truck fleet in Europe is also one of the most modern, with an average vehicle age of just 2.5 years and compliance with Euro 6 emissions standards. In 2022, Girteka’s fleet surpassed 9,200 trucks and 9,800 trailers.
To maintain this modernity, the company makes constant investments. In May 2025, Girteka announced the largest truck order in Europe for that year: the acquisition of 2,000 new Volvo vehicles. The investment was a strategic response to the introduction of tolls based on CO2 emissions in countries like Germany, seeking to reduce operational costs with more efficient vehicles.
The Future of Girteka, Between Sustainability and Strategic Restructuring
Looking to the future, Girteka is investing in sustainability. In December 2022, it announced a partnership with Scania to acquire up to 600 electric trucks. The company is also promoting the use of alternative fuels, such as HVO100, and expanding its intermodal transport network (road-rail).
Geopolitically, the company has also restructured itself. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Girteka announced the spin-off of its operations in Eastern Europe into an independent entity, a maneuver to isolate its main brand from the risks associated with business in the Russian sphere of influence.
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