Tibbett & Britten acquires German Vfw

International logistics service provider Tibbett & Britten has succeeded in its bid to acquire German reverse logistics specialist, Vfw AG.

The Group has received acceptances totalling over 91% of the shares in the privately owned German company, and the acquisition has been cleared by the national competition authority.

Established in 1991, the Cologne-based Vfw also has branches in Bensheim and Meine. Operating on a 4PL model, the business generated revenues of €30 million in 2002.

Vfw provides reverse logistics to retail pharmacy sector, with significant interests in other consumer sectors such as the management of returnable-deposit drinks containers. The company also has specialist divisions covering the recycling of packaging for medical goods, gases, pharmaceuticals, batteries, photographic supplies, consumer electronics, chemicals, textiles & shoes and flowers. It also handles consumer product recalls. Vfw services about 75,000 delivery and collection points throughout Germany.

UK-based Tibbett & Britten already has conventional contract logistics operations in Europe, including Benelux, Central Europe, Germany, France, Iberia and the UK & Ireland.

Mike Arrowsmith, Tibbett & Britten Group CEO, said that this is a strategically important acquisition, since T&B has identified reverse logistics as a key area for future development. “Vfw brings to the Group enormous experience of operating in the most regulated market for product recycling in Europe. Over time we plan to translate this expertise into other countries – particularly elsewhere in Europe where demand for such services is growing as EU directives are being implemented and more vigorously enforced.”