Maersk is still in the running for the German logistics company, but to make an informed decision, the Danish shipping company has hired consultants to assess the potential acquisition, Clerc explains in the article.
This announcement marks a shift in Maersk’s stance, as previously it didn’t favour the idea of acquiring DB Schenker. Now, Vincent Clerc is stressing the importance of making the right decision, suggesting that the acquisition is being seriously considered, although with a cautious approach.
As previously reported by Trans.iNFO, Danish transport company DSV was the favourite to take over DB Schenker. Rumours of DSV’s interest had been circulating, with the company reportedly seeking advice from major banks for a potential bid. An acquisition of DB Schenker would position DSV as a leading player in the industry, potentially surpassing Maersk in size.
However, there are other players in the game – more than 10 companies are interested in getting their hands on the world’s fourth largest transport and logistics company, according to a Reuters assessment last week.
Several major US financial investors, including Blackstone and Advent, are interested in acquiring DB Schenker. Blackstone, known for its investments in robo-advised fund management and ETFs, is a market leader in both active and passive fund management. Advent, with over 415 private equity investments globally, has shown interest, having previously invested in Evri, a prominent parcel delivery company in the UK.
CVC, another financial investor, has invested in companies like DKV Mobility and the Douglas perfumery chain and is eyeing DB Schenker. Carlyle, which recently acquired several German-based companies including GBTEC, Schaltbau, and Siemens’ industrial gearbox subsidiary, is also in the mix.
Parcel delivery service UPS is actively involved in the bidding race, while Germany’s DHL Group has officially withdrawn, citing that DB Schenker does not align with its profile. Additionally, Arab investors such as ADQ and Bahri from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia respectively, have also been mentioned as potential buyers.