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Tag: acquisition

Cascade Corporation acquires Lift-Tek

Posted on by David Priestman

Cascade Corporation, a global leader in the manufacturing of lift truck attachments, forks and related technologies, has successfully completed the acquisition of mast manufacturer Lift Technologies, Inc. (USA) and Lift-Tek Elecar S.p.A. (Italy) – more commonly known as Lift-Tek – from Calvi Holding S.p.A as wholly owned subsidiaries.

Lift-Tek is a major global manufacturer of masts, including models in two, three, four and five stage configurations, with capacities up to 52t for a wide variety of applications. Products are used on both electric and internal combustion (IC) lift trucks, very narrow aisle lift trucks, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), telehandlers and more.

Established in 1999, Lift-Tek is recognised by OEMs in the industry for high quality mast products and years of expertise in materials handling. With manufacturing facilities located in Westminster, South Carolina, USA and Piacenza, Italy, Lift-Tek currently serves the North American and European markets as well as international customers.

“We look forward to this new chapter in our company’s history,” says Angelo Ceresa, Board Member of Lift-Tek Elecar S.p.A. “We believe working together with Cascade brings excellent new potential to our operations and that our customers will benefit greatly from this development.”

The acquisition gives the company the unique opportunity to bundle Lift-Tek masts with Cascade attachments for those customers who require a custom solution for the front end of their lift truck or automated guided vehicle (AGV). With Lift-Tek’s special engineering capabilities combined with Cascade’s latest attachment technologies, such as mobile weighing and sensing capabilities, the acquisition provides opportunities for synergy and growth when it comes to product development for digitally integrated solutions.

“Lift-Tek’s reputation for quality products makes them a natural fit for the Cascade family,” says Davide Roncari, President & CEO of Cascade Corporation. “Together, we will be able to provide enhanced options for those customers in need of specialized, integrated mast/attachment solutions.”

Lift-Tek will continue normal operations as independent subsidiaries under Cascade Corporation ownership.

Paris multi-storey urban logistics asset acquired

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Crossbay, the first pan-European urban logistics platform to target single-user distribution centres, has acquired a multi-storey urban logistics asset in Saint Denis for an undisclosed sum in an off-market transaction. The vendor is a private family office.

The 7,500 sq m asset, located a few kilometres from Paris, features 3,500 sq m of ground floor space, with platforms for heavy goods vehicles and light vehicles, as well as single-level doors on three sides. The rest of the site is divided into cells of approximately 500 sq m on the upper floors, with access to the quays.

The property, which is currently unoccupied, is being marketed to firms in the last-mile logistics sector.

The acquisition of the Saint Denis site builds on Crossbay’s growing footprint in France, with its 20 assets at an overall value of around €180m.

The platform has invested more than €100m in France this year, with the aim to target €500m in assets under management within the next two years.

Louis Radiguet, managing director of Crossbay France, said: “This acquisition, along with the secure pipeline, will allow us to exceed our objective of €100m in acquisitions for the year 2021. The site presents all the fundamentals of urban logistics, in terms of its location and its technical characteristics. It also has a strong potential for short-term value creation for the Crossbay fund, perfectly matching the type of asset we are looking for.”

Launched in May 2020 by leading private equity real estate investment manager MARK, Crossbay was designed to enable institutional investors such as pension funds and insurers to grow their exposure to the fast-growing last-mile logistics sector.

Crossbay focuses specifically on single-user distribution centres in locations no more than a 90-minute journey to the centre of the nearest city. Single-tenant assets require less intensive asset management than multi-let industrial units and are less exposed to the performance of the wider economy than larger ‘big box’ warehouses.

The platform’s 600,000 sq m portfolio hosts a high-profile tenant base, counting leading 3PLs such as FedEx and DHL, as well as major e-commerce brands like Amazon, as occupiers.

In December 2020, MARK announced a successful capital raise for Crossbay, securing €550m in equity commitments from a global range of investors. Investors included the Townsend Group, CBRE GI, Credit Suisse, Nuveen and QInvest LLC. The fundraise was then followed by a €400m debt facility from investment bank Citi in January 2021 to help further fund Crossbay’s growth and European expansion.

Elektroautomatik acquires Jernbro’s AGV business

Posted on by David Priestman

Elektroautomatik in Sweden AB has entered into an agreement to acquire Jernbro’s AGV and automation operations. Jernbro Automation is a leading supplier of customer-specific automation solutions based around AGV concepts. The business has its office and production in Skövde with 22 employees. Jonas Kjellberg will take over as CEO, the business will be part of Elektroautomatik and function as an independent business unit.

“The AGV business deserves a more specialised owner who wants to invest in continued development and growth,” says Mikael Jansson, CEO of Jernbro. ”At the same time, the sale means that Jernbro frees up capital that contributes to achieving our ambitious growth goals in industrial maintenance and energy efficiency.”

“Jernbro’s AGV business is a well-run business with premium products in a growing market that requires flexible and smart solutions,” says Jonas Kjellberg, CEO of Elektroautomatik.” This will create new opportunities for us, to act both together and separately. Through the acquisition, we strengthen our range of services and create the best possible customer value.”

Elektroautomatik is Sweden’s largest automation integrator. It is a turnkey supplier in the field of automation and says it has great competence in all areas, from idea to end production. In addition to automation, it also offers AGVs, machines, service, consultants and training through its EA Machine, EA Service, EA Consultant, EA Academy and now also EA Mobile Robotics departments.

Since 1st October 1, 2021 Jernbro automation has become Elektroautomatik mobile robotics.

Operating since 1986, EA Mobile Robotics is a leading supplier of customer-specific automation solutions based on Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR).

It develops complete solutions that include control, fixturing, and robotic loading and unloading for assembly applications as well as logistics applications for production. Its AGV systems can be adapted and supplied with many different navigation options.

It says its AGV systems are not only quick to install but are also highly reliable and feature onboard quality control. As its solutions are open and can be tailored to a customer’s specific needs, the result is a flexible and durable AGV system that will fulfil production needs for a long time.

Scan Global Logistics takes first step into UK

Posted on by David Priestman

The Nordic-based logistics forwarder Scan Global Logistics (SGL) has purchased Horizon International Cargo Limited, a traditional air and ocean forwarder headquartered in the UK. SGL says becoming present in the second-largest market in Europe is a strategic move pivotal to its long-term strategy and the continued development and expansion of the European part of the organisation.

The ink is barely dry on the latest acquisition agreement with the New Zealand freight forwarder, Orbis Global Logistics Limited before SGL sets foot in the UK. The acquisition will allow SGL to pursue new business opportunities and offer notable commercial synergies to its customers worldwide through an improved position in key trade lanes. Besides, three common denominators will strengthen the logistics offers of the expanded organisation: Strength in air freight, customer-centricity, and matching cultural identity.

Nigel Davies, Horizon International Cargo’s Chairman, comments: “From the outset, the cultural fit between our two companies was very evident. This, combined with the synergies of our respective operational footprints, makes a perfect platform to take advantage of the exciting opportunities ahead. We very much look forward to our future with SGL, remaining every bit as focused on providing customers with the dedicated service, care, and flexibility they have come to expect from Horizon over the years.”

Up to this point, Scan Global Logistics has not had a presence in the UK. The infrastructure and the 150 Horizon staff located in five countries will remain unaltered and play an essential role in expanding the company’s presence in key verticals retail, pharma healthcare, aid & relief.

Expanding global footprint

Horizon also fills a significant gap in expanding SGL’s global footprint, as Ragnar Dalen, EVP Corporate Development, expands: “The new locations are important pillars in our strategic growth plans, not only in the UK but also in the rest of the world. Horizon’s offices in Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, and the USA will further strengthen our existing setups and help us reach our goals in these countries.”

He continues: “Furthermore, we are excited to help our customers uncomplicate the increased complexities in the aftermath of Brexit through the vast experience of Horizon’s import and export customs departments.”

A strong cultural fit is an essential step in SGL’s acquisition strategy. Allan Melgaard, Group CEO, explains how the evident fit will strengthen the expanding family in several locations: “To ensure there is a cultural fit between our organisations, we perform an extensive cultural DNA study before concluding the process. In the case of Horizon, the cultural match is unquestionable. Also, our shared belief of the customer in focus provides the best possible basis for a successful amalgamation of the two companies.”

 

 

nShift acquires Danish delivery management platform

Posted on by Keith McKinley

nShift, a global provider of cloud delivery management solutions for e-commerce shops, retailers, manufacturers and third-party logistics companies has acquired Webshipper. Webshipper is a leading e-commerce cloud delivery management platform, serving over 5,000 e-commerce stores in Denmark, including Hummel, Miinto, Message, Pilgrim, and Shaping New Tomorrow.

Following nShift’s launch in August 2021, Webshipper will become the company’s second acquisition, as it continues to increase its extensive library of 700+ carriers and expand its 90,000+ strong customer base internationally. By integrating Webshipper’s user-friendly interface, advanced back-end technology and prominent support model, Webshipper will further advance nShift’s capabilities as a global leader in cloud delivery management.

“We have experienced tremendous growth as a company, with revenue increasing more than 100% over the last year, and the team quadrupling in size in just two years,” said Thomas Andersen, CEO and founder of Webshipper. “We are now delighted to be joining the growing nShift family and to be working alongside some of the world’s most innovative technology providers in the shipping and logistics sector. As a part of nShift, we look forward to being able to continue the momentum we have created and benefit from the infrastructure and network that nShift has to offer.”

Webshipper is the first Danish company to be acquired by nShift and will join Sweden-based Returnado (rebranded to nShift Return since its acquisition by nShift) in adding critical technology to nShift’s cloud delivery management platform. nShift is owned by two leading technology investors, Francisco Partners and Marlin Equity Partners, both of which are supportive of nShift offering their customers the most innovative full suite of shipping features, widest geographic coverage and deepest domain knowledge and technical expertise available in the market.

“We have been extremely impressed at how quickly Webshipper have scaled their offering, and are excited to begin embedding its frictionless automated shipping technology and bolster our wide portfolio of advanced cloud delivery management solutions for our customers,” added Lars Pedersen, CEO of nShift.“This latest acquisition further demonstrates our commitment to becoming the most innovative player in the business, to continuously enhance and improve the delivery management journey for our customers.”

Heppner purchases further German distribution businesses

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Heppner has acquired the family-owned businesses ABC-Logistik, ABC-Warehousing and incharge, based in Düsseldorf and Krefeld. These acquisitions form part of Heppner’s international growth strategy, designed to strengthen the Group’s distribution capacity in Western Germany and increase its competitiveness in the French and German transport markets.

The overall goal is to strengthen the territorial network in Germany, perceived as a vector of new economic dynamics

Following the acquisition of Hamacher Logistik in 2019 and the conclusion of a strategic partnership with Koch International in early 2021, the acquisition of ABC-Logistik, ABC-Warehousing and incharge, specialists in goods storage and transport in the North Rhine region, marks a new milestone in Heppner’s continued international growth. These acquisitions are aimed at boosting and accelerating Heppner’s distribution capacity in the region, endowing it with the capability to propose transport and logistics solutions to its customers and partners within an integrated international network.

As leader in traffic between France and Germany, the latter country represents a strategic perimeter in the company’s growth ambitions. When combined with the solid regional presence of ABC-Logistik, ABC-Warehousing and incharge and the know-how of their 270 employees, Heppner’s international expertise will enable excellent service provision in support of transport solutions tailored to its customers’ needs.

With more than 12% of its turnover generated in Germany, the country is currently Heppner’s second-largest market. Each year, it carries out almost 400,000 groupage shipments between the two countries, which account for close to 30% of its total overland shipments. The 12 agencies that Heppner now has in the country provide a strong base in key regions for serving its customers and partners.

“The integration of ABC-Logistik’s business in Heppner is excellent news for customers who want to grow their operations in Germany. The synergies generated by our respective areas of operational, geographical and technical expertise will become key assets for strengthening our European network, offering our partners increasingly personalised and reliable services, and leveraging opportunities for future growth,” Heppner Group CEO Jean-Thomas Schmitt explained.

Founded in 1997 by Holger te Heesen, ABC-Logistik, ABC-Warehousing and incharge have a combined turnover of €22m and 270 employees. Characterised by a distinctive family business culture, they share a dynamic vision of the business. With a strong presence in North Rhine-Westphalia and corporate headquarters in Düsseldorf, the companies have almost 60,000 sq m of warehouse space and operate a logistics centre in Krefeld. In addition, as member of the CTL network in Germany, ABC-Logistik brings a strong distribution capacity in the region that will create more closely-knit transport links between Western Germany and France.

“We are delighted to embark upon this new chapter between Heppner and our company. It is an important step that will create new growth opportunities, in line with the values of entrepreneurship and excellence that we uphold in our daily work. By pooling our resources with an international group such as Heppner, we will be able to offer our customers a broader range of transport solutions, particularly in international traffic to and from France,” highlighted Holger te Heesen, CEO of ABC Logistik Group.

ABC will continue to operate independently with its network of partners, initiating a phased process to integrate its businesses and human resources with those of the Heppner Group in Germany.

Sustainable urban logistics

In line with its sustainable development commitments undertaken in 2010 and in response to growing restrictions on traffic in town centres, Heppner is working to expedite implementation of its sustainable delivery solutions in these areas, while maintaining its competitiveness within the industry. Last-mile delivery is a major challenge for the transport industry and requires engagement and reflection by all the economic agents involved.

“As one of the pioneers in the drive to master last-mile logistics in the Düsseldorf conurbation, the acquisition of ABC-Logistik will allow Heppner to consolidate its know-how at local level, offering innovative, sustainable solutions in coordination with public and private sector stakeholders,” observed Ghislain Fernandez, Heppner’s International Subsidiaries Manager.

“For the last few years, we have been developing our know-how to offer competitive services on the cutting edge of sustainable logistics. In 2017, ABC-Logistik launched incharge Smarte Innenstadtlogistik, a smart, innovative solution that seeks to reduce traffic by grouping deliveries in the centre of Düsseldorf and reducing emissions through the use of electric vehicles and low environmental impact technologies,” explained incharge CEO Michael te Heesen.

Denholm acquires Good Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

Family-owned diversified business, J. & J. Denholm Limited (the Denholm Group), has acquired freight forwarding and logistics company John Good Logistics Limited. The acquisition completed on 31st August 2021.

Operating from strategic locations around the UK, multi-award winning Good Logistics provides global logistics, warehousing and distribution services. Prior to the acquisition by Denholm, Good Logistics was part of sixth-generation family business, John Good Group.  Similarly, fifth-generation family business, J. & J. Denholm, operates subsidiary companies across the logistics supply chain via the Denholm Logistics division.

The Denholm Logistics businesses utilise a complementary port-centric model around the UK and Ireland.  Looking to the immediate future, Good Logistics will trade alongside Denholm Logistics as a complementary sister business, utilising the combined expertise and experience of their people to provide market leading services for their customers.

Ben MacLehose, CEO of J. & J. Denholm, said: “The acquisition of Good Logistics is an exciting move for our employees and customers in both businesses.  Together, the size and scale of our combined logistics operations are amplified, strengthening our skills, resource network and purchasing power and enhancing the opportunities to efficiently manage the movement of freight on behalf of our customers.

“We have great people within our logistics businesses, now further strengthened by the addition of the Good Logistics team.  We see a bright future and many further opportunities within the logistics sector as we move forward together.”

Alan Platt, of Good Logistics, commented: “The acquisition by J. & J. Denholm now cements the next long-term phase of Good Logistics.  The synergies of the two family businesses, with similar maritime roots, complementary logistics services and strong values, make the formal connection between Good Logistics and J. & J. Denholm a unique and exciting opportunity to grow the combined businesses together, benefitting both our customers and employees.  As we move from one family to another, we are very much looking forward to many exciting times ahead.”

Acquisition creates UK’s largest blue-collar labour provider

Posted on by David Priestman

Recruiter Challenge-trg Group has completed a deal to become the largest, privately-owned blue collar labour provider in the UK. It has acquired PMP Recruitment from investment house Twenty 20 Capital, for an undisclosed figure, bringing group revenues to over £0.75bn.

The combined knowledge and experience of the Group will offer specialist, bespoke end-to-end logistics solutions in recruitment, training, driving, warehouse operatives and haulage, underpinned by its own supply chain technology.

Tom Cropper, Group CEO of Challenge-trg, said: “This is a really exciting time for Challenge-trg and PMP Recruitment. By coming together and pooling our resources and experience, we can offer our clients the ultimate service in our sector. Incredibly, in our first year of trading in 2011, Challenge-trg revenues stood at £750k; post deal and 10 years on, we’ll hit 1,000x this number – a real achievement.

“As a business, our vision and values align – PMP Recruitment is a leader in establishing protocols in the abolition of modern slavery and Challenge has focussed on creating a work environment that develops and supports our employees. Through the combined passion for service and continual innovation and investment in technology and training provision, this merger is undoubtedly going to create opportunities for personnel and clients alike.”

The company will now employ over 500 group operational staff and over 40,000 temporary workers. Being trusted by these organisations, Challenge-trg believes it illustrates the company’s commitment to leading the way in ethical business decisions and ESG agenda.

Jamie Reynolds, managing director of PMP Recruitment (pictured on right, alongside Richard Cropper and Tom Cropper), who joins the Challenge-trg Group board to support long-term client relationships, transition and integration, said: “This deal creates a business that can deliver seriously tailored support to our clients. We’re very proud to have made this happen, we believe it means we can create many more jobs across the country at a time when employment is desperately needed. Our values are paramount, and Challenge-trg Group matches all of them. I’m very much looking forward to the future.”

D’Ieteren acquires 40% of TVH Parts

Posted on by David Priestman

Parts specialist TVH, a global player in the field of spare parts and accessories for lift trucks, industrial vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery, has found a partner in D’Ieteren Group.

In October 2020, it was announced that TVH Parts was looking for a strong minority shareholder who is aligned with both the long-term vision and the culture of TVH Parts. That partner was now found in D’Ieteren Group. The shares concerned are the 40% of shares that were held by the Vanhalst family. The remaining 60% of the shares remain in the hands of the Thermote family.

D’Ieteren Group is a listed company and already comprises 4 activities: D’Ieteren Automotive, Belron (Carglass), Moleskine and D’Ieteren Immo.

Like TVH Parts, D’Ieteren Group is a family business with a long, successful history and clear Belgian roots, for whom the development and well-being of the employees is a priority. The company firmly believes in the importance of sustainable business and long-term growth. In addition to these similarities, D’Ieteren Group originated from the automotive industry, which is of course related to the activities of TVH Parts.

Dominiek Valcke, CEO of TVH Parts, said: “I’m happy and honoured that TVH Parts can partner with D’Ieteren Group. In the last months and weeks, we enjoyed the constructive discussions and open dialogues with the management and founding families of the group. We truly believe that their values and their aspiration on seeking long-term growth are aligned with those of TVH Parts. Together we can continue to work successfully together on our mission to keep our customers and employees going and growing.”

Francis Deprez, CEO D’Ieteren Group, added: “I’m very proud to announce the acquisition of the shares of TVH Parts. TVH Parts is a global leader in the growing and resilient business of machinery spare parts, whose purpose and values perfectly match our own. As with all our activities, D’Ieteren Group is convinced to support TVH Parts in its long-term development.”

A statement from the Thermote family read: “We are very grateful for having partnered with the Vanhalst family for the last 50 years and we are proud of what we have built together. In D’Ieteren we have found a long-term partner with a strong family history and with whom we feel a cultural fit. We are looking forward for the next 50 years of sustainable growth together.”

Nicolas D’Ieteren, Chairman of the Board of Directors of D’Ieteren Group, concluded: ”I warmly applaud this new partnership between the Thermote and D’Ieteren families. This acquisition is a new milestone in the long history of our Group, which illustrates our ambition to create value, through supporting innovative organisations driving change in their sector. We look forward to working with the people that make TVH Parts so unique and to draw together the promising future of the aftermarket parts business.”

Completion of the transaction is expected in Q4/2021.

 

Descartes strengthens last-mile with acquisition

Posted on by David Priestman

Descartes Systems Group, a global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, has acquired GreenMile, a leading provider of cloud-based mobile route execution solutions for food, beverage, and broader distribution verticals.

GreenMile’s highly scalable mobile route execution solutions have been built with unique capabilities to serve the global distribution industry. Customers benefit from a next-generation platform that incorporates machine-learning to continually improve service and travel time standards. GreenMile’s innovative solutions are used by some of the world’s largest food and beverage companies to digitize final-mile delivery processes, thereby eliminating paper from the supply chain, increasing efficiencies and improving customer satisfaction.

“GreenMile has built a great business by focusing on the unique challenges faced by retail food and beverage distribution companies,” said Andrew Roszko, EVP Commercial Operations at Descartes. “Their mobile applications are used by drivers around the world to improve their productivity and provide real-time delivery visibility to enhance customer service.

“The platform is complemented with advanced analytics and delivery performance management tools to provide managers in the field and corporate leadership with a comprehensive view of field operations. When combined with Descartes’ advanced route optimization tools, we believe it presents a compelling proposition to help distributors improve their final-mile delivery operations.”

“We continue to invest in a broader set of capabilities to help our customers across diverse industry verticals solve their final-mile challenges,” added Edward J Ryan, Descartes’ CEO. “The GreenMile combination helps us by adding a team with deep domain expertise in retail food and beverage distribution, extending our operational footprint and presence in Latin America, and adding to our community of truly global distribution companies. We’re thrilled to welcome the GreenMile employees, customers and partners into the Descartes family.”

GreenMile is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Descartes acquired GreenMile for up-front cash consideration of US$30m (c.€25m) plus potential performance-based consideration. The maximum amount payable under the all-cash performance-based earn-out is US$10m (c. €8.5m), based on GreenMile achieving revenue-based targets over the first two years post-acquisition.

 

 

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