LOGISTA BUYS BURGAL

The Franco-Spanish tobacco group Altadis SA strengthened its hold on the logistics market yesterday when Logista, its subsidiary in this sector, acquired the Spanish group Burgal. This group, which Altadis describes as “one of Spain’s leading logistics operators”, employs 830 people. It includes the business-parcel and refrigerated transport specialist Burgal, the express parcel company Pergemon, and the pharmaceutical-sector transport firm Opelog. Last year, the Burgal group achieved a turnover of 98m euros (186m euros if the activities of its branches and franchises are taken into account) and looks forward to 18 per cent growth in 2001. Most importantly, say observers, the Burgal acquisition should considerably speed up Altadis’ attempt to branch out into non-tobacco activities. Specifically, it is expected to reduce the contribution of tobacco to Altadis’ turnover from 55 to 39 per cent.