Nedcargo acquires Portena Logistiek from Heerenveen. With the acquisition, Nedcargo wants to strengthen its growth opportunities in the north of the country. Portena believes that as part of a large organisation, it will be better equipped to meet challenges in the sector.
With retroactive effect - as of 1 January 2021 - Nedcargo will take over the shares of Portena logistics. After the takeover, Nedcargo will become a logistics company with a turnover of EUR 150 million. "We strengthen our position in the Benelux and increase our growth opportunities in the north," Nedcargo CEO Jurgen Mook said of the acquisition.
'Sector changes significantly'
The two companies had been meeting for some time to discuss a possible cooperation. Earlier this year, the talks became more concrete, says Portena director Ron Kleinsmit: "Portena Logistiek was faced with the choice between autonomous growth or joining a larger peer. In the coming years, the logistics sector will change significantly. This offers opportunities, but also threats. As part of a larger professional organisation, we are better equipped to meet the challenges."
Nedcargo makes no secret of its desire to grow further at home and abroad. It says it has the financial resources to do so. "We have been able to invest heavily in digitalisation in recent years. As a result, we expect to achieve immediate synergies in the new combination," says Mook. The business structure of Portena and Nedcargo are similar, according to the CEO. "And we are both good at contract logistics. We are still less active in the north, which is why Portena is a good addition. Portena Logistiek's knowledge and experience in shopping street deliveries and bicycle logistics is welcome, we can learn a lot from them. Nedcargo now still does mainly food logistics and we want to broaden."
Employees can stay on
From autumn onwards, the companies' activities will be merged. Portena Logistiek's Heerenveen office will remain open. All employees can stay on. "The message is that there is and will remain room for everyone," Mook explained. Director Kleinsmit will remain in post at Portena. He will eventually start work as commercial director of the Nedcargo Group. Stef Verwij, owner of Portena will remain involved with the company as a consultant for the time being.
