FLASH EUROPE ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF GERMAN SCHWERDTFEGER TRANSPORT WITH SUPPORT OF EURAZEO PME

Flash Europe International Group, European leader in same-day and time-sensitive premium freight, has acquired Schwerdtfeger Transport, a German key player in this segment. With a fast growing revenue of over 20 million € in 2016, Schwerdtfeger is operating mainly for german customers but with freight throughout the EU.
This transaction is part of an external growth strategy set in motion in September 2015 when Eurazeo PME, the Eurazeo subsidiary specialized in the transformation of French SMEs to international intermediate-sized enterprises, acquired an interest in the Group together with the company’s management and its Chairman, Mr. Philippe Higelin. This acquisition will contribute to the goal shared by Eurazeo PME and the Flash Europe management team to accelerate the Group’s development and at least double its size by 2020.
This transaction will consolidate the Group’s positions in Germany, where Flash Europe has experienced sustained organic growth in recent years. Germany, the top market in Europe for industrial premium freight, including the automotive sector, is a strategic and priority focus for the Group. Flash already acquired the EF-Express Group in February earlier this year.  Flash is indeed determined to take on the german market. This latest acquisition will allow Flash Europe to keep on diversifying its client portfolio while entering new industrial segments.
The Schwerdfeger teams and Flash Europe’s German teams are perfectly complementary. Schwerdtfeger will join Flash Europe but will remain autonomous in its operating business.  Still, they will immediately benefit from the Group’s size and international operations, as well as its know-how, particularly in digital technology and resources. Since Eurazeo PME acquired a stake in Flash Group in 2015, it has widely supported intercontinental expansion and digital transformation ambitions. The addition of Schwerdtfeger to the Flash Group will fully serve these goals.

Beyond synergies, economies of scale and growth objectives, this acquisition was also made possible thanks to strong similarities in term of corporate philosophy. Flash Europe and Schwerdtfeger Transport do not only have customer satisfaction as a common priority. Corporate social responsibility is also taken seriously: the whole Schwerdtfeger fleet  complies with the Euro VI antipollution norm. Flash on the other hand, managed to reduce empty cargo to 5% of its overall driving time. Flash is also working on a convention to select contractors following strict environmental criterias.

All employees and managers will become part of the newly created group, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs Schwerdtfeger, founders and head of Schwerdtfeger Transport, who will retire from their current duties. Fabian Rogalla, former managing director of the agencies of Hanover and Leipzig will replace them as managing director of the whole Schwerdtfeger Transport Group.

Details of the acquisition:  
Schwerdtfeger Transport will remain independent and keep its name and identity to maintain the well established relationship with its customers. For this reason, all of Schwerdtfegers long-time customers, with its special requirements, will furthermore experience the accustomed premium quality Schwerdtfeger is known for.

Furthermore, Schwerdtfeger will be integrated as an independent brand within the Flash Group, catering to the need for high end services for the industry. In fact, the regional branch structure of Schwerdtfeger allows it to be right on-site where the important mid-sized companies are located. That way Schwerdtfeger guarantees to always serve its customers exclusively. Additionally, Schwerdtfeger offers solutions in every vehicle categories, even beyond the standard portfolio when it comes to special requests.
Although Schwerdtfeger Transport will remain autonomous within the Flash Group, process and working methods will adapt in a progressive way to the Flash Europe standards. The point is to challenge the way of doing things from both sides in order to keep the best. The implementation of new standards will ought to be smooth thanks to the support of Genius Academy: a startup funded by Flash, specialized in online training center.

Philippe Higelin, Chairman of Flash Europe International, stated:  «Our clients will get access to better coverage and presence in Germany with 7 additional offices, our own fleet of Vans and Trucks, more international traffic and capacities, an amazing set of digital tools and the highest standard regarding finance and CSR. »

Mr. Schwerdtfeger, Founder et Director of Schwerdtfeger Transport stated « We have deliberately chosen Flash Group, because we could quickly recognize considerable synergies: With Schwerdtfeger as an independant brand of Flash Europe, we can enlarge our competitive advantages and increase the awareness of our name throughout Europe. ».

Fabian Rogalla, future head of Schwerdtfeger Transport commented « The advantages of this Fusion are capital for Schwerdtfeger. Thanks to Flashs’ resources and technological know how in term of digitalization. It will allow us to keep on growing across Europe. .».