DB Schenker reports acquisition of Finnish logistics group

DB Schenker has acquired the Finnish logistics group Vähälä Yhtiöt, which will add five terminals and more than 260 employees to its northern European network.

Founded in 1937, Vähälä Yhtiöt offers domestic land transport services in central and northern Finland as a partner of the DB Schenker network. Their cooperation dates back to 1956.

“With this acquisition, we are strengthening DB Schenker’s position in Europe,” said Helmut Schweighofer, CEO of DB Schenker in Europe. “With the takeover of Vähälä Yhtiöt, a company that already operates for DB Schenker in Finland, we have the opportunity to expand the structure of DB Schenker’s land transport network in central and northern Finland.”

Vähälä Yhtiöt is a pioneer in eco-friendly transportation through its use of gas powered trucks and electric vans, as well as long HCT trailers. According to the agreement, Vähälä Yhtiöt’s entire operating business will be acquired by DB Schenker. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Following the conclusion of the agreement, Vähälä Yhtiöt will continue to operate over the medium-term as an independent affiliate in domestic land transport, alongside DB Schenker in Finland.

Also last week, DB Group ended the first six months of 2021 with an operating loss (adjusted EBIT) of 975 million EUR due to the pandemic however  DB Schenker, was able to report an operating profit of nearly 630 million EUR. 

At the start of July, DB Schenker also announced that, in partnership with Volocopter, they have successfully conducted a joint static proof of concept (PoC) at Messe Stuttgart for VoloDrone ground operations in logistic centres.

According to DB Schenker: “The static PoC tested how logistics operators can manage personnel, payloads, automated ground vehicles, and VoloDrones to create an efficient process and a safe environment for future VoloDrone operations. The blueprint derived from these results will be the first of its kind and serve as a basis for integrating VoloDrone operations in logistics networks across the globe, realizing automation and sustainability ambitions in supply chains.”