Rampant speculation over possible Salvesen takeover

Industry speculation is rife over the identity of two potential bidders for Christian Salvesen, following the company’s statement that it has been approached regarding a possible takeover.

While the absence of any confirmation from companies within the transport & logistics sector has fuelled market speculation that the interested parties may be private equity companies, analysts have suggested that Wincanton, Deutsche Bahn, Kuehne+Nagel, Norbert Dentressangle or Salvesen’s JV partner, APL, could be in the running.

The UK-based logistics company also has operations in Belgium, France, Holland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.

Christian Salvesen has, in the past, rejected suggestions of merger propositions, although the company’s financial performance has been hit by increasing competition in a market steeped in M&A activity.

In June, the company agreed to sell its frozen vegetable business for GBP 17.2 million.