DB Schenker sale discussions back on the agenda
18 / 05 / 2023
Photo: DB Schenker
Discussions around the future of freight forwarding giant DB Schenker have been back on the agenda in the last few days.
Last week, Deutsche Post-owned DHL Global Forwarding chief executive Tim Scharwath told Reuters that his company is in a position to integrate a large acquisition.
He added that if Deutsche Bahn-owned DB Schenker were put up for sale, Deutsche Post would have to examine whether it would be a good fit and also whether any deal would be financially attractive.
DHL would also need to examine how complex the integration would be, he said, adding that at this stage it was still unclear whether DB Schenker would even be put up for sale.
Scharwath’s comments echoed those of Deutsche Post – at the time – chief executive Frank Appel who said there would be three criteria for any acquisition: Does that company make us better, is it easy to integrate and is it accretive?
In December, Deutsche Bahn assembled a team to examine the potential sale of up to 100% of DB Schenker.
Meanwhile, it was recently reported by Bloomberg that Deutsche Bahn is open to selling its forwarding business to a financial or strategic investor.
The same report valued DB Schenker at around $20bn. Deutsche Bahn is weighing up the sale of a full or partial stake, Bloomberg said.
Reports have also suggested that Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank have been appointed for the potential sale.
The discussion around a potential DHL bid for DB Schenker comes as the company has lost its position as the leading airfreight forwarder to Kuehne+Nagel following its acquisition of Apex Logistics.
Meanwhile, others have continued to close in on DHL Global Forwarding, with DSV making a series of purchases over the last few years and in recent days, CEVA’s expected integration of Bollore and Nippon Express’ takeover of cargo-partner.
