Time-critical logistics operator Flash Europe has taken over Maastricht-based rival RobertsEurope in its latest acquisition designed to make it into the market leader in Europe in the urgent
delivery segment.Philippe Higelin, Flash Europe’s general manager, said the acquisition was a further milestonein internationalising and growing the group’s business due to its focus on the automotive andpharmaceutical industries. The acquisition price was not disclosed. The deal follows the takeoverof British firm v-one earlier this year and expansion to Russia and Turkey last year.
Frederik Luz, the group’s Director Europe, commented: “In Roberts Europe, we’ve acquired acompany that has been operating highly successfully in the market for many years, and is also oneof the largest providers in the direct and special deliveries segment, as well as being highlycompetent in industrial freight, including for the automotive industry.”
Flash Europe will retain all 160 employees of Roberts Europe in Maastricht and the Warsaw andLisbon offices. However, long-serving CEO Fred Snippe, who ran the company under its former name ofFedEx Custom Critical and then bought it in an MBO in 2005, will leave the company. Severallong-standing, experienced Roberts Europe employees, including sales director Gianni Maes andoperations director Jan Schüller, will be in charge of integrating the company into the FlashEurope group.
Maes said: “The new company structure enables us to continue leading the company forward andmake the most of extra potential. Our customers will also greatly benefit from the group’sexpansion and our accelerated internationalisation process.”
The Flash Group, with revenues of over €118 million in 2011, has 375 employees in own offices in15 countries, cooperates with 1,500 partners in 78 countries around the world and has access tomore than 4,000 vehicles and 600 aircraft in total. The Flash Group now comprises German-basedFlash Europe and French-based Flash Taxicolis (formerly Taxicolis) and made 400,000 specialdeliveries last year.
With its logistics expertise in time-critical road freight, combined with its team experts forairfreight and air charter solutions, Flash Europe offers a one-stop service for all time-sensitivefreight.
