L.I.T. Group, headquartered in Brake, and Duvenbeck Group, based in Bocholt, announced the planned change of ownership on 30 October 2026. Under the agreement, L.I.T. will acquire all shares in Duvenbeck.
The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2026, subject to approval from the relevant antitrust authorities and the fulfilment of other conditions.
For L.I.T., the acquisition would significantly expand its automotive logistics business, including its operations in southern and eastern Europe.
From left: Joachim Lubsczyk, CRO / interim CFO, Duvenbeck; Richard Hell, interim CEO, Duvenbeck; Simeon Breuer, executive board member, L.I.T. AG; Julian Lachnitt, executive board member, L.I.T. AG (Photo: L.I.T.)
A major addition to L.I.T.’s European logistics network
L.I.T. currently employs around 5,400 people at more than 130 locations across 22 countries. In 2025, the company generated revenue of approximately €1.1bn. Its services include transport and contract logistics, logistics consulting and fourth-party logistics (4PL).
Duvenbeck contributes around 5,000 employees and more than 50 sites across Europe. If the acquisition goes ahead, the enlarged group would employ approximately 10,400 people.
Founded in 1932, Duvenbeck focuses primarily on the automotive industry. The logistics provider operates its own road transport fleet and provides production-related and contract logistics services for vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers.
Its activities cover both conventional transport services and the management of warehousing and production logistics.
L.I.T. already serves the automotive sector, and the two companies expect their existing capabilities to complement one another following the deal.
From financial pressure to a planned ownership change
The proposed takeover follows a difficult period for Duvenbeck.
In April 2026, trans.iNFO reported on the company’s strained financial position and the possibility of a sale. Waterland, the financial investor that acquired a majority stake in Duvenbeck in 2022, said at the time that the business environment facing some of Duvenbeck’s key customers had changed substantially.
The investor pointed to lower and more volatile production volumes, pressure on margins and structural shifts across the automotive industry. These developments, it said, made a broader transformation of the company necessary.
Waterland also said it was reviewing several options for Duvenbeck’s future together with the company’s key stakeholders.
The newly signed purchase agreement turns that previously discussed possibility into a defined transaction. The deal has not yet been completed, however.
L.I.T. targets growth in European automotive logistics
The strategic rationale for the acquisition centres on strengthening L.I.T.’s presence across Europe.
L.I.T. already has a strong presence in northern and western Europe. Duvenbeck would add further reach, particularly in southern and eastern European markets.
The deal would also bring Duvenbeck’s automotive logistics expertise into the wider group. Its services span road transport, production-related logistics and contract logistics.
The companies plan to combine their experience and service portfolios and develop synergies in stages.
Simeon Breuer, a member of the L.I.T. Group executive board, said:
Duvenbeck has built up a deep understanding of automotive logistics over many years, and that specialisation is one of the reasons the company is such an attractive fit for us. Like our major customers in the automotive sector, we are convinced that Duvenbeck and L.I.T. complement each other extremely well.
Duvenbeck’s management also views the deal as an opportunity to develop the existing business further.
Richard Hell, interim CEO of the Duvenbeck Group, said:
With L.I.T. Group, we will gain a future owner that understands the industry and shares our ambitions. Together, we want to build on Duvenbeck’s strengths in road transport and PCL, particularly in automotive logistics.
Duvenbeck restructuring will continue after closing
The planned acquisition does not mean that Duvenbeck’s restructuring is complete.
L.I.T. has made clear that the strategic development and restructuring programme already under way will continue after the ownership change.
Breuer said:
One thing is clear: Duvenbeck is still undergoing a process of strategic development and restructuring, and that work will continue consistently together with L.I.T. This will allow us to gradually create the conditions needed to develop joint synergies.
The companies have not disclosed what specific restructuring measures are planned or what impact they could have on individual sites or employees.
They have also provided no details about the purchase price or the transaction’s other financial terms.
The planned change of ownership therefore represents both a strategic expansion for L.I.T. and the continuation of Duvenbeck’s financial and operational restructuring.
The extent to which the expected synergies can be achieved will become clearer only after the acquisition has been completed.
