Hillebrand now 100% part of DHL’s Global Forwarding, Freight division.
Deutsche Post DHL Group has completed the acquisition of J.F. Hillebrand Group AG (Hillebrand) and its subsidiaries worth around EUR 1.5 billion.
After all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted by the responsible antitrust authorities, the takeover has now been completed. The two companies had already signed the takeover agreement in August 2021. Hillebrand is now 100 percent part of DHL’s Global Forwarding, Freight division.
“Hillebrand’s expertise in the logistics of beverages, beer, wine and spirits is an excellent addition to our portfolio. In line with our Group Strategy 2025, this will enable us to further strengthen our core logistics business and ensure long-term profitable growth in the interests of our shareholders,” said Frank Appel, CEO Deutsche Post DHL Group. “The acquisition provides us with a great opportunity to add a range of services to our high-quality ocean freight portfolio that will further strengthen our revenues and long-standing customer relationships from day one.”
Hillebrand is now part of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight under the leadership of Tim Scharwath, who will also be responsible for the combined businesses of Hillebrand and Gori as CEO. Cees van Gent, who has successfully led Hillebrand since 2017, has decided to step down as CEO and Chairman of the Board and leave the Group. Hillebrand and Gori will work closely together in the future to fully exploit synergies from the many years of experience of both providers – especially in the logistics and transport of beverages, beer, wine and spirits. Gori, which specialises in the logistics of wine and spirits, has been part of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight since 1998. The integrated company will operate under the new brand name “Hillebrand Gori – a DHL company”. The successful completion of the transaction will strengthen the Group’s position in the dynamic ocean freight forwarding market.
“The combination is an ideal complement as it combines the strengths of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight’s global network with the world-class solutions of Hillebrand and Gori. In this way, we can fully exploit the benefits for our customers. Since Hillebrand and Gori have complementary business models, we expect a smooth integration. In combination with Gori, we can exploit previously untapped synergies and develop even better transport solutions for our customers in the future,” says Tim Scharwath, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, Freight.
Hillebrand’s majority shareholder Cobepa sells its entire shares in the Hillebrand Group after 16 years. During the investment period, Hillebrand’s management significantly strengthened the company’s leading position in the beverage logistics and liquid bulk market through organic and inorganic growth as well as its consistent focus on first-class service and customer orientation. With a global presence in over 90 countries and more than 2,700 employees, Hillebrand has extensive expertise in liquid logistics. The company specializes in the sea freight transport of beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and other liquid bulk goods. Hillebrand’s world-class IT systems and customer management tools form the basis for outstanding service quality and an exceptional customer experience. In addition, Hillebrand produces its own flexitanks as part of its individual forwarding solutions for liquid products, which set standards in this sector. Deutsche Post DHL Group looks forward to benefiting from Hillebrand’s expertise and experience in providing tailor-made transport solutions.
“By focusing on its profitable core business and modernizing its IT infrastructure, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight has reached new heights and made a significant contribution to our Group’s record result of EUR 8 billion in fiscal 2021. The acquisition of Hillebrand will further strengthen the customer-oriented product portfolio of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight in ocean freight and support business growth,” said Melanie Kreis, CFO Deutsche Post DHL Group.
Key components of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s Strategy 2025 are the strengthening of its profitable core business and the further growth of the logistics business towards sustainably higher margins. This makes Hillebrand an attractive partner in terms of increasing long-term profitable growth.
