Logistics consolidation continues as GEFCO swoops on IJS Global

Automotive logistics specialist GEFCO Group has pushed ahead with its diversification drive and expanded its airfreight operation with the acquisition of Dutch freight forwarder IJS Global from private equity firm Nimbus.
Amsterdam-headquartered IJS Global specialises in air and sea forwarding and generated revenues of €160m in 2014.
It has an operational footprint in 16 countries, with hubs in the UK, Netherlands, Australia, China and Southeast Asia and the US.
GEFCO said the acquisition would broaden its customer portfolio and speed up its diversification.
The logistics firm’s current 2020 growth strategy aims to develop its geographic as well as sector diversification.
GEFCO management board chairman Luc Nadal said: “The acquisition of IJS Global is fully in line with our development strategy.
“This operation will allow GEFCO to enhance its position as the preferred partner of international industrial companies.
“Our mission is to bring value to our customers’ supply chains while enabling them to achieve greater growth and competitiveness.”
As well as expanding its air and seafreight operation and adding to its customer portfolio, GEFCO said the acquisition would allow it to develop its presence in the world’s two primary freight forwarding areas: Asia and the US.
It also allows it to expand its European network through greater presence in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany, while also obtaining a foothold in the Australian market.
The merged group will be able to operate in over 150 countries and connect over 350 destinations.
IJS Global chief executive Sjoerd Van Loon said: “We are delighted to join the GEFCO Group, a global leader in high value-added logistics.
“The networks of both companies are complementary and will significantly contribute to our service offer in all of the world’s key markets. We are looking forward to combining the knowledge and experience of our teams to help us grow. ”
Once the acquisition of IJS Global is completed, all of GEFCO’s freight forwarding overseas activities will be managed by Van Loon.
Nadal said: “We have all the assets to become a major overseas player for all of our international industrial customers.
“I am confident that our teams – both IJS Global and GEFCO – will demonstrate how skilled and professional they are in listening to the needs of our customers and meeting their needs.”
This deal will be effective after completion of the usual regulatory formalities. No financial terms were revealed.
The deal is the latest in the series of acquisitions to sweep the forwarding and logistics market this year.
It follows on From XPO’s recent deal to take over Con-Way and Norbert Dentressangle, Geodis’ move for OHL and Kuehne+Nagel’s purchase of ReTrans.
Commentators have suggested the moves are linked to the strength of the US dollar and weak market growth meaning logistics companies are having to acquire and expand into new territories in order to grow.
The growth of shippers requiring global supply chains has also pushed logistics firms to expand the geographical reach.