Panalpina buy two Belgian firms to expand perishables network in Europe

December 19, 2017: In an attempt to reinforce its perishables network and end-to-end offering for fresh produce across in Europe, leading freight forwarding and logistics company Panalpina is all set to acquire two Belgian companies-Adelantex and AD Handling. According to reports, Panalpina also made similar acquisitions in Germany and the Netherlands earlier this year. Sources […]

Panalpina buy two Belgian firms to expand perishables network in Europe
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December 19, 2017: In an attempt to reinforce its perishables network and end-to-end offering for fresh produce across in Europe, leading freight forwarding and logistics company Panalpina is all set to acquire two Belgian companies-Adelantex and AD Handling.

According to reports, Panalpina also made similar acquisitions in Germany and the Netherlands earlier this year.

Sources said that Panalpina will acquire the two Belgian companies, which is subject to conditions. The companies reached a respective agreement today.

With a presence in Brussels and Liege, Adelantex, it handles approximately 75,000 tonnes of air freight imports every year, and manages ground handling at the Brussels Airport, besides customs clearance and onward distribution in Europe.

“This latest acquisition in the perishables arena is another example of how we are building our end-to-end capabilities in Europe. Adelantex' ground handling operations in Brussels is best in class, and will serve as a blueprint for similar operations in other countries,” said Stefan Karlen, CEO of Panalpina.

“Adelantex has a robust customer base and significant import volumes from important origin markets across the world. It will allow us to seize opportunities in those markets to further grow our perishables business,” he said.

Adelantex currently caters to about 200 customers across Europe that import fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and plants into the region.

The vast majority of perishables are imported through Brussels Airport where Adelantex operates a warehouse directly on the tarmac with 1,600 m2 of cold storage. A quarter of the overall volumes are imported through Lige Airport and Ostend Airport.

“As the undisputed market leader in perishables air freight imports in Belgium, Adelantex will benefit from Panalpina's global footprint and leading position in the perishables market will continue to grow and expand internationally,” said Jozef Mergan, CEO and majority shareholder of Adelantex and AD Handling.

“Our perishables network is expanding rapidly. After the acquisitions in Kenya, Germany and the Netherlands earlier this year, we are now delighted to welcome new perishables experts in Belgium,” said Bruno Jacques, Panalpina's managing director for Belgium and Luxembourg.

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