Time-critical logistics operator Flash Europe has successfully integrated Maastricht-basedRoberts Europe into its operations after acquiring its rival company nine months ago with the aim
to become the market leader in Europe in the urgent delivery segment.Philippe Higelin, CEO of the newly formed Flash Group, said the target of the new venture was totake the best of both companies and build a “simple business structure with flat hierarchies andquick decision-making processes with a focus on meeting customer needs”.
In the future, Roberts Europe will operate at a pan-European level responding to the logisticsneeds in the four sectors including automotive, healthcare, industry and emerging markets/airfreight. As part of the new business model, four different executives are responsible for each ofthe sectors.
As part of the acquisition, the price of which was not disclosed, Flash Europe has retained all160 employees of Roberts Europe in Maastricht and the Warsaw and Lisbon offices.
Frederik Luz, who is in charge of emerging markets and air freight, commented: “The emergingmarkets unit will focus on developing the existing local presences outside of central Europe andstrategically establishing other global offices. It will also further expand the air freightdivision to provide cross-divisional support to our other business units.”
The air freight activities will be managed by competence centres at the major European cargoterminals. Flash has its own teams at the airports in Frankfurt, Paris, Stuttgart, Istanbul, St.Petersburg and Manchester.
The Flash Group continues to operate 17 subsidiaries with 35 offices in Europe. “One of ourstrongest competitive advantages is being there where our customers are. We speak their language,know the local conditions and able to offer specific assistance for local problems. We can createprofessional and reliable transport solutions, especially in countries such as Turkey and Russia,which will represent a significant benefit, especially for our customers in the automotiveindustry,” Higelin added.
Flash Group is composed of the long-established enterprises Flash Europe, Flash Taxicolis(formerly Taxicolis), Flash Biologistics and Roberts Europe. With 400,000 special deliveries madelast year, it is one of the largest logistics providers in Europe. In addition to directdeliveries, the logistics firm offers air charter (with its own charter department), on-boardcourier solutions and multi-modal transport solutions. It also developed a particular expertise forthe healthcare and automotive industries. The company cooperates with 1,500 partners in 78countries around the world and has access to more than 6,000 vehicles and 600 aircraft in total. Itcurrently employs 525 staff.
