DFDS has entered into an agreement to acquire HSF Logistics Group, one of Europe’s leading cold chain logistics providers.
The Group operates four leading brands with HSF Logistics being a market leader in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.
Conversations started in 2018 because the main shareholders in HSF Logistics felt the time was right to secure the future of the company with a long-term owner, having similar values to HSF Logistics, but discussions were paused due to Brexit and then COVID-19.
In late 2020, dialogue was reinitiated, resulting in the agreement to establish the leading cold chain logistics offering in Northern Europe
N&K Spedition and Skive Køletransport are leading brands in Denmark and Scandinavia, together constituting around half of the revenue of the Group. Eurofresh is a brand focused on the German market.
“I am very excited about the acquisition of HSF Logistics Group as it significantly expands our customer offering to a wide range of food producers. It also opens the door for new growth opportunities and adds freight volumes to our ferry route network,” says Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS.
The acquisition of HSF Logistics is a testament to DFDS executing on the Win23 strategy as the acquisition strengthens DFDS’ customer offering to a wide range of food producers and it opens the door for new growth opportunities and adds freight volumes to the ferry route network.
While the acquisition is subject to EU regulatory approval, which is expected within three months, the two companies will begin planning the integration now whilst continuing their daily business operations. Once the acquisition is closed, HSF logistics will be integrated into the Logistics Business Unit within DFDS.
“As part of the family that founded HSF Logistics nearly a hundred years ago in 1923, I am very happy to become part of the DFDS family. Together, we can grow the business for the benefit of our many longstanding customers and our many loyal, dedicated employees,” says Simon Frederiks, major shareholder of HSF Logistics Group.
