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DSV Acquires DB Schenker Amid Industry Consolidation

Posted on by David Priestman

In a major industry shake-up, DSV has acquired DB Schenker, positioning itself as a major player in global logistics. This acquisition enhances DSV’s capabilities in European land transport and rail freight, aligning with the industry’s shift towards multimodal solutions and sustainability. The deal reflects a trend of consolidation, with logistics companies like CMA CGM and Kuehne+Nagel expanding their operations. As DSV integrates DB Schenker, it will face challenges in streamlining operations, but the combined entity will offer more competitive, efficient supply chain solutions globally.

In a major industry shake-up, DSV has acquired DB Schenker for a transaction valued at EUR 14.3 billion at enterprise value, positioning itself as a leading global logistics provider. This acquisition significantly enhances DSV’s capabilities, particularly in European land transport and rail freight, aligning with the industry’s shift towards multimodal solutions and sustainability. The combined entity is projected to have pro forma revenue of EUR 39.3 billion (based on 2023 figures) and a workforce of approximately 147,000 employees across more than 90 countries. This deal reflects a trend of consolidation, as logistics giants like CMA CGM and Kuehne+Nagel expand their global operations. As DSV integrates DB Schenker, it faces operational challenges, but the merged company is poised to offer more competitive and efficient supply chain solutions globally.

Strategic Importance

This acquisition strengthens DSV’s market position by adding DB Schenker’s extensive European network to its global operations. DB Schenker is a leader in land and rail transport, making DSV more competitive in Europe and enhancing its multimodal offerings at a time when sustainability and efficient transport are in high demand. With the logistics industry focusing more on green logistics, DSV can leverage DB Schenker’s rail freight expertise to offer environmentally friendly solutions across Europe. According to Jens H. Lund, Group CEO, DSV, the acquisition is a “transformative event” that will create a “world-leading transport and logistics powerhouse” and improve competitiveness across DSV’s divisions—Air & Sea, Road, and Solutions.

Competitive Landscape

The acquisition highlights the growing consolidation in logistics as major players like DSV seek to scale their operations. The deal follows similar moves by competitors such as CMA CGM’s acquisition of Bolloré Logistics and Kuehne+Nagel’s digital expansions. With customers increasingly demanding integrated, end-to-end supply chain services, DSV’s expanded footprint and service capabilities position it well to compete with rivals like DHL and Kuehne+Nagel in offering seamless logistics solutions across regions and transport modes.

Challenges and Integration

Despite the opportunities, DSV faces significant integration challenges, particularly with DB Schenker’s vast operations. Successfully merging technology, workforce, and operational standards will be key to realizing the full benefits of the acquisition. However, DSV has demonstrated its ability to handle such integrations, as seen with the Panalpina merger in 2019. The company is expected to focus on optimizing its services, reducing operational costs, and enhancing efficiency to improve competitiveness in an increasingly digital logistics environment.

Future Outlook

This acquisition will likely accelerate consolidation in the logistics industry as companies seek to expand their reach and enhance service offerings. The global logistics market is increasingly focusing on sustainability, operational efficiency, and innovation. DSV’s acquisition of DB Schenker positions the company to lead in this evolving landscape, offering comprehensive and sustainable supply chain solutions. As DSV integrates DB Schenker’s resources and expertise, it will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global logistics, driving higher standards of service and operational efficiency.

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New Nespresso Partner for All-Electric Deliveries in London

Save energy and money with thermal clothing

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Insulating the body, as opposed to a warehouse, is much more energy efficient. Our own bodies create heat, so wearing a thermal base layer, hat or lightweight jacket will help to regulate the body temperature when the external temperature is low, providing you with a simple and effective way to combat the energy crisis this winter.

FlexiTog, a leading global freezer workwear brand, has been in this market for over 43 years. Trusted by cold store companies all over world, with years of development in providing thermal clothing to people working at temperatures down to -40°C, it describes itself as the go-to company for your thermal workwear needs.

Based on an average UK warehouse size of 340,000 sq ft, it has been proven that by simply turning down the heating by 1°C you can save up to 10% of your heating costs. However, by adding a thermal base layer to your clothing, you can save up to 40% of your energy costs. FlexiTog already supplies the largest distribution companies across the UK for this exact reason. Amongst a vast range of thermal clothing solutions, FlexiTog has a combination of energy-saving kits, that include thermal base layers, hats and gloves that are readily available and can be purchased online for next-working-day delivery.

By investing some of the money saved into your staff who are working in cold temperatures this winter, you will be keeping them warm and comfortable, which in turn will increase productivity, efficiency, and create a constructive culture.

 

 

May 2022

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The May 2022 edition of Logistics Business magazine is live! As well as opinion from industry leaders – including exclusive interviews with XPO’s UK boss Dan Myers, and Jos de Vuyst, the President of the European Materials Handling Federation – our features and interviews will inform you about the major issues of the moment. Topics covered this issue include the rise and rise of inventory drones, the importance of geographic placement of DCs, and the critical role data visibility plays in supply chain optimisation, as well as our regular look at the world of intralogistics from forklifts to containers to IT and and much more.

84 pages of a truly international magazine covering the global logistics industry. Subscribe for free now.

Transaid project in Madagascar leaves lasting legacy

Posted on by Keith McKinley

More than 100,000 emergency transfers were made to rural health facilities over a five-year period in Madagascar, according to data compiled from one of Transaid’s longest-running access to healthcare initiatives, focused on maternal and child health.

Publication of the figures follows the conclusion of a USAID-funded project, known locally as MAHEFA Miaraka, led by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., and in partnership with others including Transaid, local NGOs and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.

Working in areas of the country where the availability of transport is often low, and where difficult terrain and seasonal rainfall often limit access by motorised vehicles, Transaid supported communities to integrate locally available modes of transport to connect themselves to primary healthcare facilities or referral hospitals.

This work contributed to 106,851 transfers to health facilities taking place during the project, utilising taxi cooperatives with minibuses and motorised three-wheelers, ox carts, rickshaws, bicycle ambulances, stretchers and even canoe ambulances, amongst other forms of emergency evacuation.

Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid, says: “Delays in seeking access to quality care are a key contributor to maternal and under-five mortality, with inadequate access to transport being a major cause. This project set out to address that, working in some of the hardest to reach parts of Madagascar, where we saw the number of patients accessing the scheme grow consistently year-on-year.”

Forty-four per cent of the communities Transaid helped were inaccessible by car or truck for at least four months of the year, and 20% for almost half of the year. This made it an incredibly complex project to manage, requiring a blend of community-managed forms of transport, taxi drivers trained in emergency transport systems, plus evacuation plans developed with communities and village leaders.

Barber adds: “The communities we were supporting have spoken highly of the improved access to healthcare in emergencies, especially the means to travel at night, when there are generally far fewer transport options available.”

Transaid’s role within the project also included the setting up of several ‘enterprise box’ (eBox) initiatives, which aimed to improve community health volunteer mobility and increase motivation and retention through the provision of bicycles and income generation which also contributed financially to local health insurance schemes.

Five eBoxes were established, each becoming a bicycle sale and repair micro-enterprise managed by registered cooperatives to help meet some of the transportation needs of the local population. At the end of the project, four of the eBoxes were considered independently operational, leaving a lasting enterprise which can continue supporting the local community.

The completion of the project, Transaid’s second in Madagascar in succession, draws to a close a decade of work within the country – and one of the organisation’s longest running and most successful projects to-date.

 

Century Logistics acquired by Metro Supply Chain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Metro Supply Chain Holdings (UK) Limited, a division of Canadian-based Metro Supply Chain, has acquired Century Logistics, a long-standing third-party logistics provider based in Suffolk, UK.

“We welcome Century Logistics to the Metro Supply Chain team. Century’s wide capabilities and customer-focused culture complement Metro Supply Chain’s strengths as a strategic supply chain solutions partner to some of the world’s fastest-growing and most reputable brands,” explains Martin Graham, Group President of Metro Supply Chain. “This acquisition deepens our operations in the UK and Europe and broadens our service offerings for UK-based customers looking to expand into the United States or Canada.”

For decades, Century Logistics has been integral to helping local and multinational consumer packaged goods brands scale through warehousing, co-packing, ecommerce fulfilment, product repairs and product returns. Managing seven distribution sites, Century Logistics is strategically located along the A14 corridor between the bustling Golden Triangle and the port of Felixstowe, the UK’s biggest and busiest container port.

“Since opening our first commercial warehouse in 1998, Century Logistics’ driving focus has been to invest where our customers need us most, which, in recent years, has meant supporting their significant ecommerce growth,” says Stephen Basey-Fisher (pictured), founder and chairman of Century Logistics. “We’re thrilled to join Metro Supply Chain and be able to offer customers here and abroad a true end-to-end, harmonized experience that will delight their consumers wherever and whenever they shop.”

Metro Supply Chain has been operating in the UK since 2016 when it acquired Evolution Time Critical, a premium provider of 24-hour emergency logistics for companies around the world, with offices in Derby, UK, the United States, Portugal, Germany and China. In 2021, the company expanded operations to include five facilities in Wales dedicated to defence sector logistics. With the acquisition of Century Logistics, Metro Supply Chain manages more than 12 million square feet in over 80 distribution centres across North America and Europe.

“Century Logistics founders Stephen and Ann Basey-Fisher have built an impressive customer-focused operation and we are excited to welcome the full Century team to Metro Supply Chain,” says Chiko Nanji, founder and CEO of Metro Supply Chain. “We look forward to providing greater synergies and opportunities for our UK-based customers who are looking to grow their operations in new geographies and capabilities.”

 

 

Russian judges excluded from IFOY jury

Posted on by David Priestman

In light of the actions taking place in eastern Europe, the IFOY organisation is showing unity with Ukraine by excluding Russia from participation in the IFOY AWARD.

Representatives of Russia on the jury and advisory board will be relieved of their duties until further notice, which means that Anton Mizunov (editor-in-chief of Skladskoj Komplex) and Vladimir Antonov (Editor-in-Chief of Sklad i Technika), both active and well-respected journalists within the IFOY community, have been suspended from the advisory team.

The IFOY organisation issued the following statement:

Russian jurors will no longer be able to vote on winners or participate in IFOY AWARD events. This will initially affect the IFOY TEST DAYS with the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS from March 21 – 23, 2022 in Dortmund, as well as the award ceremony on June 30, 2022, in Munich. Visitors and exhibitors from Russia will also be excluded from attending.

We will decide on the exclusion of Russian manufacturers from the IFOY AWARD 2023 in good time before the application phase begins in August 2022.

This decision has not been easy for us, yet we consider it to be of no alternative to send a signal against this unprecedented war of aggression against Ukraine. We explicitly emphasise at this point that this step does not change the respect for the jurors, media, applicants, and visitors who have represented Russia in the IFOY AWARD committees. We have highly appreciated their competence and cooperation in the IFOY network. We personally ask them for their understanding and hope that we will meet again soon in peace.

The IFOY (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year) AWARD is the largest independent, international intralogistics competition. The jury now includes twenty-five judges from 19 countries on all continents.

Dematic hosts live customer service broadcast

Posted on by David Priestman

Intelligent automation specialist Dematic is inviting customers and journalists to a live broadcast on 10th March featuring Dematic Customer Service and the benefits of analytic solutions.

Dematic Customer Service offers a wide variety of innovative service solutions such as advanced predictive maintenance capabilities for keeping your equipment, software, and systems operating at peak performance. At the event, experts from the Dematic Customer Service and Global Software Analytics teams will showcase their analytic solutions and provide information about Dematic InSights, a cloud-based analytics platform for optimising warehouse operations and condition monitoring.

Alberto Rostagno, VP Customer Service EMEA, adds: “Dematic Customer Service plays a vital role in maintaining and optimizing warehouse efficiency, ensuring facilities are operating with minimum unplanned downtime and managing risks across one or multiple sites. Traditional customer maintenance services are enhanced by Dematic InSights and its remote support capabilities.”

Customers benefit from the increased control of their warehouse operation systems – and from a greater ability to master growth, handle peak season demands, and accommodate new technology. “With our analytics tool, customers have better access to their data and better visibility into their systems so they can enact action plans to improve their operations. This way, Dematic InSights allows customers to be more proactive in addressing potential issues before they become truly disruptive,” explains Andy Bruinsma, Director Digital Solutions at Dematic, who will be one of the speakers.

During the live broadcast, experts will present the current Dematic InSights dashboard modules. These range from drill-down views of system and subsystem availability tracking to elaborate visualisations of operator performance, subsystem throughput, and equipment fault analysis. The presentation will also include a demonstration of specific case stories of customers who have significantly optimised their operational or maintenance processes with Dematic InSights.

The live sessions starting at 10:00 GMT will be held in English and translated into French, Italian, and Spanish. Participants will receive live support from Dematic experts during the presentations and will be able to address specific questions at dedicated Q&A sessions. To see the full agenda and to register free of charge, visit https://www.dematic.com/peak-performance/.

SEC Storage partners with vertical farming specialist

Posted on by David Priestman

SEC Storage has partnered with a leading UK Vertical Farming specialist CambridgeHOK for the launch of a new ‘concept to completion’ package, providing investors and retailers with their own fully automated indoor growing facilities.

Supply chain issues caused by Brexit and a global pandemic combined with a growing population, estimated by the Office of National Statistics to be 72 million by 2041 in the UK alone, has directed the spotlight on alternative methods for more local, sustainable food production.

Already a proven technology in many environments, Vertical Farms have demonstrated that they can produce high-quality, low-emission, competitively priced food in a fraction of the space of a traditional farm.

However for Vertical Farming to be successful and a sustainable source of food production in the UK, it’s vital to demonstrate how automation and the efficient use of space can streamline operations and SEC Storage’s data-driven approach combined with its innovative machine learning and AI capabilities are well matched to the next phase of the Vertical Farming industry development.

SEC Storage managing director Harry Watts commented: “Working with Vertical Farming specialist CambridgeHOK to apply the principles of logistics industry automation alongside our unique data-driven actuation models, provides a compelling offering to investors, food producers and retailers, and clearly demonstrates that investment in this growing sector is a viable and attractive option.”

Patrick Harte, joint managing director of CambridgeHOK said: “Automation and scalability are the two key factors behind our concept model which align perfectly with SEC Storage’s expertise in space optimisation and as an automated warehousing specialist.

“Together we can develop and deliver large-scale Vertical Farming solutions that could deliver higher quality crops, on an industrial scale, in a fraction of the footprint when compared with traditional methods.”

Federal Minister assumes IFOY patronage

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany´s Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has taken over patronage of the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD.

The IFOY AWARD is considered the most authoritative international innovation award in intralogistics. For the past ten years, companies from all over the world, ranging from top intralogistics providers to innovative start-ups, have been sending their new developments and innovations to compete for the award, which is also known as the “Oscar of intralogistics”.

These include new forklift models and warehouse technology equipment, as well as driverless transport vehicles, robots, automation solutions or holistic warehouse solutions – for short, everything the intralogistics industry has to offer in terms of future technologies.

The election by the jury, which includes internationally renowned trade journalists and the leading logistics media, is preceded by an extensive audit with nomination and test cycles. On the occasion of the IFOY TEST DAYS, which will take place this year from March 18 to 23 at the Messe Dortmund exhibition centre, the devices and solutions nominated for the finals undergo individually tailored driving or functional tests, including the IFOY test protocol comprising around 80 criteria and the scientific IFOY Innovation Check. In addition, the judges and their advisory teams from the economy will travel to assess the finalists themselves before casting their vote.

As part of IFOY TEST DAYS 2022, TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS will take place for the third time. From March 21 to 23, under the motto “Spot on Innovation”, additional exhibitors as well as a B2B trade audience interested in innovation are admitted to the test hall. This year, the topic of e-mobility in the fully automated warehouse of the future is high on the agenda. The number of participants is limited.

The trophies will be awarded on June 30, 2022.The location for the awards ceremony will be announced shortly. Until then, the result will remain a secret – both for the finalists and for the public.

 

IAA TRANSPORTATION to take place in Hanover

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Under the motto “People and Goods on the move”, IAA TRANSPORTATION will take place from September 20th to 25th 2022 at the Deutsche Messe AG exhibition centre in Hanover.

In addition to the presentation of new vehicles, the focus will be on logistics, transport and the digitalisation of commercial vehicle transport on the way to climate neutrality.

The previous IAA Commercial Vehicles is thus expanding the breadth of topics and exhibitors and, with a new name as IAA TRANSPORTATION, is becoming the leading international platform for logistics, commercial vehicles, buses and the transport sector. With its expanded event concept, it networks the relevant manufacturers and suppliers from the commercial vehicles, buses and logistics sectors with leading tech providers.

An important goal of the new concept is to focus more on the climate-neutral and technological transformation of the entire transport sector as an international platform.

“IAA TRANSPORTATION is the leading trade show for transport, commercial vehicles and logistics,” says Jürgen Mindel, VDA Managing Director. “Our successful concept for a corona-proof staging of IAA MOBILITY 2021 will also be used at IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hanover: The current registration status makes it clear that the concept expansion has been positively received by the industry.

“There are already exhibitor registrations from more than forty countries. The high level of registrations is gratifying and also underlines the exhibitors’ desire to once again offer customers a live experience with the new products.”

The new concept of IAA TRANSPORTATION also implements a combination of new product presentation, trade audience and expert exchange within the framework of the IAA Conference 2022. To give exhibitors and visitors the best possible exposure to their target audience, the IAA Conference will focus on different key topics over four days.

  • FUTURE LOGISTICS, with the topics of supply chains, trucks, rail & shipping integration, e-mobility and hydrogen technology in heavy-duty transport and heavy and light commercial vehicles, as well as technological and digital innovations for the logistics chain;
  • TRADE & LOGISTICS, with the topics last mile, inner city logistics, van, transporter, cargo bikes, delivery robots, digitalization as well as innovative solutions for retail, e-commerce;
  • INFRASTRUCTURE, with the topics charging infrastructure electricity and hydrogen, expansion of data networks, data management, long-distance bus transport, rail transport connection;
  • INNOVATIONS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT, with the topics of bus, electrification, hydrogen, ride-sharing, ride-hailing, MaaS, digital networking of existing services.

Interested companies and associations can contact the organiser and contribute their concepts via email to info@iaa.de .

With the Last Mile Experience Area, the IAA TRANSPORTATION presents an innovative new hall concept. For the first time at a trade fair, a complete city backdrop will be set up indoors, within which the latest last mile solutions will be presented in application. On display will be the use of parcel drones, delivery robots, e-transporters, e-cargo bikes as well as innovations from the Internet-of-Things, data networks and cloud technologies, SaaS platforms and decentralised hubs.

“With the new format, we want to bring together urban planners, technology providers, food retailers and delivery services with logistics industry players, mayors and local politicians. Because only with intelligent, innovative and socially accepted solutions will we be able to create the growing demand for inner-city logistics and move toward climate neutrality,” says Mindel.

Presentation of prestigious industry awards at IAA TRANSPORTATION Prizes will also be awarded at IAA TRANSPORTATION in various branches of the mobility industry. The winners of the prestigious “Bus of the Year”, “Coach of the Year” and, for the first time, “Cargo Bike of the Year” competitions will be presented and honoured.

“We are in good talks with “Truck of Year”,” Trailer Innovation Award” and the “Van of the Year” and I am optimistic that in 2022 we will be able to present all of these awards in Hannover and thus give them the greatest possible attention. We are particularly pleased to welcome the “Cargo Bike of the Year” to the IAA. This clearly shows how multi-layered our portfolio is,” says Jürgen Mindel.

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