French transport and logistics company, GEODIS has received regulatory approval to finalise its acquisition of PEKAES, an operator of LTL (less-than-truckload) and FTL (full-truckload) network in Poland.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]With this transaction, GEODIS aims to consolidate its network in Poland and Eastern Europe. The objective of the acquisition, according to GEODIS’s spokesperson, is to develop existing services, combining the strengths of the two companies.
“Customers of both PEKAES and GEODIS will benefit from the extended portfolio of services including national and international groupage, contract logistics and intermodal transport,” a GEODIS’ representative told Container News.
The acquisition expands GEODIS’ operations in Poland, as well as in the German market – Poland being an integral part of the German production chain – and in Central Europe as a whole.
“This acquisition, in a target region for the Group’s development, is a major step towards reaching the goals laid out in our “Ambition 2023” strategic plan. GEODIS now has an increased presence in Europe’s third-largest logistics market, offering Polish companies tremendous international opportunities,” said Marie-Christine Lombard, chief executive officer of GEODIS.
Integration of the PEKAES business will be led by GEODIS’ Road Transport Line of Business, already firmly established in Poland. “This operation will allow us to develop our palletised freight network throughout Europe as we also develop further our abilities in the Polish domestic market,” explains Olivier Royer, GEODIS executive vice president for road transport.”
“PEKAES’ multimodal lines out of Poland represent a real growth opportunity for this mode of transport. They will supplement our lines in Western Europe, which are currently experiencing strong growth given our customers’ desire for transport with a low environmental impact,” he added.
GEODIS will dedicate specific resources both in Poland and at its French headquarters to carry out the integration smoothly and efficiently, according to the GEODIS spokesperson.
GEODIS’s representative said that the French firm in Poland mainly provides FTL transport services and contract logistics operations, while PEAKES is notably positioned in the groupage market sector in the country. “The new arrangement will enable customers of both entity’s to benefit from a more complete range of services,” the spokesperson added.
Asked by Container News, GEODIS’s rep noted that PEKAES will maintain its brand name at the moment and, initially, it will continue its activities independently.
“We are opening a new chapter in PEKAES’ history. It provides many opportunities for our customers, partners and employees. Our customers can now benefit from the power of a global network to help them grow. For our teams, this means new growth opportunities in a strong international organisation,” declared Maciej Bachman, CEO of PEKAES.
GEODIS now has nearly 1,500 employees at 29 sites in Poland, including some 20 hubs spread across the entire territory.[/s2If]
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