PostNord has signed an agreement for a partial acquisition of Byrknes Auto AS, one of Norway’slargest thermo carriers, further expanding its position in the growing Norwegian logistics market,
and within the temperature-controlled transport business in particular.Byrknes Auto offers services mainly for fish and grocery transportation. In 2011, itgenerated sales worth NOK 293.6 million (€39.8 million) employing around 100 staff.
PostNord generated sales of approximately SEK 13 billion from its logistics operations in theNordic region last year including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. In Norway, it focuses onparcel, pallet, express and third-party logistics through subsidiary Tollpost Globe, which is thethird largest transport company in Norway with NOK 2.7 billion (€366 million) in sales in 2011.
“Byrknes Auto has established a competitive business within fish and grocery transportationsin Western Norway since many years. The acquisition further strengthens our position in the growingNorwegian logistics market,” Henrik Höjsgaard, Head of Business Area Logistics at PostNord,confirmed. The transaction is subject to approval by the Norwegian competition authorities.
The move follows PostNord’s recent acquisition of the Norwegian logistics company HarlemTransport AS in September. The Swedish-Danish postal company bought 100 per cent of the shares inHarlem Transport which focuses on four main areas including consumer goods, industry, shipping, andrecycling and waste. With a strong position as a logistics supplier to the consumer goods sector,Harlem Transport counts several major companies in the industry to its customers. In 2011, itgenerated sales of NOK 292 million (€39 million) employing 211 staff.
“With the two recent acquisitions of Harlem Transport and now Byrknes Auto, we take a strongposition in Norway within thermo transports. We have sought to strengthen our position in Norwayspecifically in groceries and fish, as it improves our utilisation of linehaul capacity and createsopportunities for new organic growth,” Robin Olsen, CEO Tollpost Globe, added.
Both acquisitions are part of PostNord’s current corporate strategy, adopted in late 2011,including continued growth within logistics. In June this year, the Swedish Competition Authorityapproved PostNord’s acquisition of Green Cargo Logistics, Sweden’s second-largest third-partylogistics provider.
