Integration into the DACHSER Food Logistics network begins
Effective today, Frigoscandia AB is a wholly owned subsidiary of DACHSER and thus part of the logistics provider’s Food Logistics network. This also marks the start of the Scandinavian company’s full integration into the DACHSER network. From now on, customers in the Nordic countries will benefit from uniform quality standards.
Burkhard Eling, CEO of DACHSER, Peter Haveneth, CEO of Frigoscandia, and Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics at DACHSER (from left to right)
At the end of December, DACHSER signed an agreement to acquire Frigoscandia, the leading provider of temperature-controlled and frozen logistics in the Nordic market, from private equity investor Mutares SE & Co KGaA. This will allow DACHSER to expand its Food Logistics network to the Nordic countries. The acquisition was approved by the European Commission in February. With the acquisition process complete as of today, integration into the DACHSER network can now begin.
“The acquisition significantly strengthens our position in food logistics in the Nordic region,” says Burkhard Eling, DACHSER CEO. “For Frigoscandia, the integration into DACHSER is an important step toward long-term and secure development in a dynamically growing company. Frigoscandia is an excellent fit for our business and our growth strategy in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Both companies share a common understanding of values and quality.”
“Frigoscandia is an excellent fit for our business and our growth strategy in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.””
Burkhard Eling, CEO of DACHSER
DACHSER is currently represented in the Nordics by European Logistics, its business line for the transport and warehousing of industrial and consumer goods, as well as by an air and sea freight organization. Frigoscandia, headquartered in Helsingborg, Sweden, has a close-knit and efficient network for the distribution of temperature-controlled and frozen food. The company offers transport services across Sweden through a nationwide network. For the fulfilment of these services the company cooperates with service partners but also has an its own truck fleet. In the area of international food transportation, Frigoscandia handles road, air and sea transportation, and is active in 51 markets.
In addition, the company operates warehousing with twelve logistics facilities in Sweden designed for the storage of food and three in Norway. In 2022, Frigoscandia generated sales of some EUR 300 million.
Trust in partnership
Since 2019, Frigoscandia has been a partner for Sweden, Finland, and Norway in the European Food Network, an association of leading European food logistics providers in 34 countries, which DACHSER founded and manages as system leader. “The acquisition and subsequent integration of Frigoscandia is a milestone for us on our way to becoming a top player in the European food market,” says Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics and Managing Director DACHSER Food Logistics at DACHSER. “With Frigoscandia, we are integrating a well-known food logistics company that fully shares our understanding of performance and quality. For our customers in Northern Europe and Europe, this means even better access to a food distribution network where quality and reliability are paramount.”
Frigoscandia will continue to be led by CEO Peter Haveneth and his experienced management team. He reports to Alexander Tonn, who holds the dual role of COO Road Logistics and Managing Director DACHSER Food Logistics at DACHSER. “We’ve had a trusting and successful partnership with DACHSER within the European Food Network since 2019. The acquisition is a logical step into the future for us, and so we’re looking forward to continuing to grow within the DACHSER family. We’ll be strengthening our service offering and connecting the Nordic food logistics markets to Europe,” Haveneth says.
Statement by Dachser CEO Burkhard Eling on the military conflict in Ukraine
Peace and the free movement of goods are fundamental prerequisites for the positive, free development of all societies. In this spirit, Dachser has grown as an international logistics provider over the past decades. We therefore deeply regret the escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine. Among other things, the conflict will also have a substantial impact on supply chains in Eastern Europe.
Our first priority is the safety of all drivers transporting consignments on behalf of Dachser. We have therefore today imposed an immediate takeover and loading stop for all shipments to Ukraine. This applies to all European transports of our Cargoplus service segment, which specializes in FTL and LTL transports to the CIS countries, among others, as well as to all transports from the European Logistics network that are handled in Ukraine by our partner ACE. Regular traffic from our platform Strykow (Poland) to Kiev will be discontinued. All trucks that are currently still on their way to Ukraine have to be returned in coordination with the customers. We are in close contact with our Ukrainian partner, who has also closed his warehouses.
In air freight, the airspace over Ukraine has been closed in a wide radius. Take-offs and landings are not possible here, so that congestion at the alternative airports is to be feared.
Our European Logistics and Air & Sea Logistics teams are closely monitoring developments in the situation and are in close contact with our customers. This also applies in particular to restrictions on the movement of goods that may arise in the coming days as a result of the sanctions announced against Russia.
Dachser's activities in Ukraine and Russia.
Dachser does not have its own locations in Ukraine, but works there with its partner ACE Logistics. The Estonian company is also Dachser's partner for the Baltic states and joint venture partner in Finland. The Cargoplus service segment handles additional full truckload services.
In Russia, Dachser has been represented by its own national company since 2008 and provides services in the Road Logistics and Air & Sea Logistics business segments. Around 160 staff are employed at seven locations. In 2020, Dachser Russia handled around 17,000 consignments and generated revenue of EUR 21.6 million.
Women leading in logistics - Fearless female: Samantha Du Toit
While the logistics field still tends to dominated by men, times are changing and the fairer sex is increasingly building successful careers in logistics. DACHSER South Africa is working hard to redress the gender inequalities in the industry. We’re chatting to fearless women who are playing vital roles in the DACHSER South Africa offices.
As the logistics industry continues to grow and change, Samantha Du Toit, PR, Communications and Marketing Manager for DACHSER South Africa says that women need to stay on top of their game and ensure they keep up with the changes.
2021 was a year of diverse challenges that DACHSER was able to master with great stability and resilience. At the same time, the company set an important strategic course, particularly with regard to its climate protection activities. Here is a text from CEO Burkhard Eling.