Rhenus to buy pharma specialist Avant Air and Sea in Ireland
09 / 08 / 2018
Germany’s Rhenus Group has expanded its logistics presence in Ireland with the planned acquisition of temperature-controlled and pharmaceutical specialist Avant Air and Sea, subject to regulatory approval.
Avant Air and Sea, headquartered in Dublin, also manages hazardous consignments and has been providing sea- and airfreight services and cross-border services for imports and exports since 1990.
The take-over, led by the Irish subsidiary within the Rhenus Group, is still subject to consent by Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
In addition to its headquarters in Ireland, Avant Air and Sea operates branches in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Avant Air and Sea provides weekly consolidation and groupage freight services from China, the US and other Asian and Oceanic countries of origin. Its portfolio of services includes consolidation, express, hand-carry and AOG services for airfreight.
Avant Air and Sea is an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and is also certified according to the Dangerous Goods (DG) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines published by IATA.
The company will operate within the Rhenus Group under the name Avant Rhenus. The Rhenus-Group’s presence in Ireland dates back more than 30 years, when it was part of Hamann International, which was integrated into the Rhenus Group in 2006.
David Warren, managing director of Avant Air and Sea, said: “We’ve found a customer-oriented partner in the Rhenus Group and it will enable us to continue developing our services for our existing and future customers due to its global network and its comprehensive expertise.”
Jörn Schmersahl, managing director of Rhenus Air and Ocean Europe, said: “Avant Air and Sea is a company with a strong focus on customer relations as well as providing important services for the air and sea freight sector and it will make an important contribution to the ongoing growth of the Rhenus Group.”
The Rhenus Group is a logistics services provider with global business operations and annual turnover of €4.8bn.
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