Deutsche Bahn AG has completed the sale of its logistics subsidiary DB Schenker to the Danish company DSV A/S. The transaction was completed following an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory sales process that began in December 2023. DSV prevailed with the most economically advantageous offer.
According to Deutsche Bahn, the enterprise value of the transaction amounts to 14.3 billion euros. DSV will acquire all shares in DB Schenker and plans to fully integrate the company into its own organisation.
With the acquisition, DSV says it is doubling its size and becoming one of the world’s leading providers in the transport and logistics industry. The combined company will generate revenue of approximately €41.6 billion and employ approximately 160,000 people in over 90 countries.
Strategic liberation for the state-owned company
With this sale, Deutsche Bahn aims to focus more strongly on its core business in the area of rail infrastructure and climate-friendly passenger and freight transport. The proceeds from the sale will remain entirely within the DB Group and will be used to contribute to a significant reduction in debt .
According to DB CEO Dr. Richard Lutz, this is the largest transaction in the history of Deutsche Bahn, which was implemented as planned.
Today we have completed the largest transaction in the history of Deutsche Bahn and in the history of the logistics industry. For DB, the Schenker sale means less complexity and full concentration on our core business, which we will fundamentally restructure over the next three years in the three dimensions of infrastructure, operations, and profitability.”
DSV plans to make Germany a key market within the new organization and has announced investments of approximately one billion euros over the next three to five years. Furthermore, key functions, including the Essen site, will be retained. DSV CEO Jens H. Lund emphasized that the integration of DB Schenker will create a unique, flexible platform for long-term growth that will benefit customers, employees, and shareholders.
Integration and personnel changes
The integration of DB Schenker into DSV’s structures is now beginning. DSV has pledged to manage the transition with care and consideration for customers, employees, and other stakeholders. A high standard of service will be maintained throughout the integration process.
To expedite the integration of both companies, DSV is expanding its Group Executive Committee, relying on the “best athlete” principle. According to DSV CEO Jens H. Lund, the selection was based on professional expertise, performance, and future prospects, regardless of whether the candidates came from within the company or from DB Schenker.
These Schenker executives are taking on key roles at DSV:
- Helmut Schweighofer, previously CEO of the European region at DB Schenker, will become the new CEO of the DSV Road Division. He succeeds Søren Schmidt, who is leaving DSV after approximately 30 years.
- Vishal Sharma, previously CEO of the Asia-Pacific region at Schenker, will assume the role of Group Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). His predecessor, Morten Landry, will remain in a senior position at DSV until early 2026, after which he will assume sales management of the Air & Sea division.
- Saskia Blochberger, previously Chief People Officer (CPO) for Europe at DB Schenker, will become the new Group CPO at DSV. Her predecessor, Helle Bach, is leaving the company.
- Jochen Thewes, current CEO of DB Schenker , will remain with the company – he is to be appointed to the DSV Board of Directors after the acquisition is completed. The election is planned for an extraordinary general meeting.
New structure and clear direction
In parallel with the personnel restructuring, the corporate structure is also being adjusted: The “Solutions” division will operate under the more commonly used international name “Contract Logistics.” With this, DSV aims to further sharpen its positioning in the global logistics market.
I am very pleased with the strong leadership team we will be appointing for the next stage of our journey to becoming the world’s leading transport and logistics company,” said DSV CEO Jens H. Lund in the official announcement of April 15.
