FERCAM is set to transfer its Distribution (groupage) and Logistics (contract logistics) divisions to a joint venture with Dachser under the name ‘Dachser & FERCAM Italia S.r.l.’. The transfer of control is still subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities.
According to the terms of the contract signed by the two companies, FERCAM will detach its FERCAM Distribution (groupage) and FERCAM Logistics (contract logistics) divisions from FERCAM AG and integrate them into the new company by the end of the year. These two divisions, which employ 920 people at 43 locations in Italy, generated some €400 million in revenue in 2022.
From the beginning of 2024, the independent company will operate under the name ‘Dachser & FERCAM Italia S.r.l.’ and report directly to Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics at Dachser. As before, the groupage and contract logistics business in Italy will be managed by FERCAM´s Distribution and Logistics Manager Dr Gianfranco Brillante and his proven team, whose expertise will provide continuity in the Italian market. FERCAM AG will own a 20% share in Dachser & FERCAM Italia S.r.l.
FERCAM Transport (national and international road and rail transports), FERCAM Air & Ocean, and FERCAM Special Services (Fine Art, Fairs & Events, Home Delivery, Removals & Relocation, Archive & Documents Management) - including all international subsidiaries - remain exclusively owned by FERCAM AG and will not become part of the new joint venture. FERCAM plans to promote further growth and internationalisation of these divisions in the future, including overseas.
“As family-owned companies, Dachser and FERCAM are united by an understanding of values-oriented management that ensures the future viability of the company over generations,” said Bernhard Simon, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Dachser. “We’re all the more pleased that we’re now strengthening our bond even more, building on our 20 years of collaboration to found this joint venture in Italy.”
“Dachser is a dynamically growing family-owned company with similar goals and short decision-making channels, making it an outstanding and reliable partner for us for all European transport,” said Thomas Baumgartner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at FERCAM. “Over the course of our partnership, however, conditions have changed considerably, with market share concentrated among only a few European and global players. That’s why we decided to launch a joint venture exclusively for groupage and contract logistics. It´s a win-win situation for both sides.”
“This allows us to further strengthen our ties with our partner company while simultaneously solidifying our own position,” explained Hannes Baumgartner, Managing Director of FERCAM. “Being a part of Dachser’s European network opens up additional opportunities for growth, particularly in exports. That creates security and stability for the future.”
Completing the European network
The majority takeover of FERCAM’s groupage and contract logistics business is the third major acquisition Dachser has made to expand its transport and logistics network in Europe, following Graveleau (France, 1999) and Azkar (Spain, 2013). “With this acquisition, we are closing the last remaining gap and rounding off our own groupage and contract logistics network in the major continental European markets,” said Burkhard Eling, CEO of Dachser. “Our focus remains on growing organically and sustainably. In addition, this year we’ve strengthened our presence in key markets such as Benelux, Australia, Japan, and now Italy through targeted acquisitions.”