DPD Poland acquires courier rivals Siódemka S.A.
Parcel carrier DPD Poland is set to acquire fellow courier firm Siódemka S.A. after regulators approved the deal. La Poste’s international parcel-express subsidiary GeoPost, which owns DPD Poland, said snapping up its rival would create a market-leading courier firm with annual sales above PLN 1bn (EUR 240m).
The company said the acquisition would allow it to reinforce its position in the fast-growing Polish market.
DPD Poland has received approval from Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, paving the way for the firm to buy 100% of the shares from Siódemka’s current owners, the venture capital fund Abris CEE.
The acquisition could be finalised as soon as this week, making Siódemka a subsidiary of DPD Poland.
Both companies are operating as independent entities until the full legal aspects of the merger are completed, which could take some months.
Plan
Rafał Nawłoka, president of the DPD Poland management board, said: “The antitrust authority’s decision enables to commence activities preparing both companies for legal and operating merger. We expect that the key phase of that process will take place in the year 2015. A detailed plan is under preparation.”
DPD Poland has been operating since 1991, and currently employs 5,500 staff, running a 3,000-strong vehicle fleet and operating a network of 50 sites including a sorting hub in Stryków, central Poland.
Siódemka specializes in business customers of all sizes, through a network of 40 locations, with around 1,400 of its own staff and 2,100 couriers.
GeoPost said the acquisition would strengthen DPD’s presence in the e-commerce field in Poland.
Christian Emery, the GeoPost vice president and COO Europe said: “DPD Poland has built its strong position owing to the provision of services to corporate and international customers. As Siódemka is more specialised in service of small and medium enterprises and DPD in services to corporate ones, the merger will enhance the DPD’s offer for small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular for e-commerce.”
