Data compiled by Logisyn Advisors and Transport Intelligence (TI) shows that Europe remained one of the most active global regions for logistics M&A, despite a brief slowdown mid-summer.
While deal activity fluctuated month by month, the underlying trend was clear: mid-sized and family-run operators increasingly sought alignment with larger groups to secure capital, technology, and long-term competitiveness.
July: Europe takes the lead as mid-market players seek scale
Europe began the quarter as the most active global M&A region, accounting for 41% of all transactions recorded in July.
The majority of deals involved freight forwarding, temperature-controlled logistics, and warehouse modernisation, highlighting how operators are preparing for stricter emissions rules and growing demand for resilient supply chains.
One of the headline moves came from Yusen, which expanded its network across 12 European countries, strengthening its position in pharmaceutical logistics and cold-chain distribution.
According to Logisyn’s commentary, this surge in activity reflects how “the next tier down” of logistics providers, those below the major multinationals, are turning to acquisitions to maintain market share and improve efficiency.
Smaller operators, the report notes, now view consolidation not as a defensive move but as a prerequisite for digital integration and sustainability investment.
August: digital ambitions and last-mile pressures
In August, overall deal volume in Europe slowed to 23% of global M&A activity, as investors briefly shifted focus toward the U.S.
However, the nature of the deals changed: instead of asset-heavy takeovers, the emphasis moved to software and visibility platforms supporting logistics operations.
Ten of the month’s transactions involved digital tools for warehouse management, supply chain forecasting, and delivery optimisation.
Logisyn’s analysts pointed to a “profound transformation” underway, as logistics firms seek to merge data and delivery capabilities into single ecosystems.
The report also highlighted sustained M&A interest in the last-mile and time-critical delivery sectors, despite margin pressures from fuel and wage inflation.
Final-mile costs, it estimated, were up more than 10% year-on-year, forcing operators to pursue acquisitions that promise efficiency gains through technology or route optimisation.
A prominent example was inTime, part of Mutares, which broadened its European portfolio to include industrial and just-in-time delivery solutions, a signal that investors still see value in time-sensitive logistics despite profitability challenges.
September: rebound led by Europe’s major forwarders and postal networks
By September, momentum returned, and Europe again captured 28% of global M&A deals.
Transactions were concentrated in transport, forwarding, and logistics services, while larger players strengthened their positions through targeted acquisitions across the continent.
- Fischer & Rechsteiner acquired BCUBE’s Freight Forwarding unit in Italy, gaining a strategic foothold in Genoa and reinforcing its maritime and air freight portfolio.
- CMA CGM announced the takeover of Freightliner UK, integrating intermodal rail capabilities into its European network to accelerate decarbonisation.
- CEVA Logistics, also part of CMA CGM, purchased MIPI by Colis Privé in France to bolster sustainable last-mile delivery operations.
- Gebrüder Weiss expanded its Turkish operations through a majority stake in Sienzi Lojistik, enhancing customs warehousing and regional connectivity.
- Expect Distribution acquired Longs of Leeds, strengthening its UK coverage while preserving family ownership structures.
One of the quarter’s most visible domestic deals came from International Distribution Services (IDS), parent company of Royal Mail, which acquired a 49% stake in Collect+. The integration of nearly 8,000 convenience stores under the “Royal Mail Shop” brand expanded its out-of-home parcel network to almost 24,000 points, reinforcing its competitive position in the UK’s convenience-driven delivery market.
A market defined by consolidation and convergence
Across Q3 2025, the European M&A landscape reflected a twin movement: traditional carriers sought scale, while tech-driven entrants pursued integration.
Freight forwarders and hauliers focused on expanding modal flexibility and network reach, whereas software and automation firms became acquisition targets for investors betting on digital infrastructure.
According to Logisyn’s analysis, this pattern is tied to three structural shifts reshaping global logistics:
- the reconfiguration of trade lanes amid tariff uncertainty,
- the spread of AI-driven operational optimisation, and
- the infrastructure pivot toward low-carbon and energy-efficient assets.
Europe, with its fragmented carrier base, regulatory maturity, and strong sustainability mandates, remains the region where these trends converge most visibly.
Analysts expect continued activity in the months ahead, particularly in project logistics, rail-integrated networks, and warehouse automation, as operators reposition for the next phase of global supply chain modernisation.
