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Rhenus Group acquires BLU Logistics, one of LATAM’s leading freight forwarders with operations in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay as well as Greater China with over 180,000 TEUs of ocean freight volume .
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In addition, Rhenus obtains a majority share of 51 percent in the LBH Group, which operates in more than 30 countries around the world, including six in the LATAM region, and has additional alliances in several Central American countries.
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The combination of the Blu and LBH teams will allow the Rhenus Group to increase its LATAM workforce by 2,200 employees, further strengthening Rhenus’ commitment to the region by strengthening its local capabilities and contributing to its global expansion efforts.
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These strategic actions aim to strengthen Rhenus’ presence in Latin America to accelerate global trade growth and enhance its Asia-Latin America trade lanes, offshoring capabilities and service options in light of the global trade trend. sector to diversify its supply and supply chains.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – September 7, 2023 – Rhenus, a leading global logistics specialist, is further expanding its existing presence in the Latin America (LATAM) market through strategic initiatives designed to enhance its service portfolio and capitalize on the region’s growing potential for global connection. supply chains. The company announced the acquisition of Colombia-based BLU Logistics and a majority stake in LBH Group, bolstering its capabilities in the region and reinforcing its commitment to global supply chain connectivity.
“Our strategic acquisitions enable us to further strengthen our global network and service portfolio in the LATAM region, where we see growing demand for logistics services, particularly for the e-commerce industry. In addition, the region’s proximity to the North American market fosters a robust environment for nearshoring, which aligns perfectly with our growth strategy. Together with BLU and LBH, we create a unique position with the value of a family business for our customers and associates by providing a strong presence in key markets to ensure more robust supply chains globally », declares Tobias Bartz, CEO and president of Groupe Rhénus.
A gateway to LATAM
Rhenus Group has a strong base in Latin America, with established operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. Their recent acquisitions have paved the way for even broader geographic coverage, including additional BLU Logistics presence in Uruguay, Paraguay and Ecuador, as well as port agency services in Latin America, including Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Curaçao and several Central European countries. LBH American Countries. This expansion complements Rhenus’ leading position in the Asia-LATAM corridor, leveraging BLU’s strong trans-Pacific freight forwarding network. This strategic move not only enables Rhenus to seamlessly expand its business in the region, but also enables BLU to expand its reach into European and Indian trade routes, leading to significant growth of its existing customer offerings and cross-selling opportunities. David Kassin, previously associated with BLU Logistics, will take on the role of CEO of Rhenus Air & Ocean LATAM.
“It’s a win-win situation for BLU Logistics, Rhenus and above all for our customers. The global Rhenus network gives us the opportunity to further explore other regions and expand our customer base to new segments and geographies, including India. and the Middle East, as well as Southeast Asia, Europe and North America,” says David Kassin, CEO of Rhenus Air & Ocean LATAM. “The synergy between BLU and Rhenus, driven by our shared commitment to customer focus, team building and entrepreneurship, will propel us to even greater heights.
A deep relationship
The acquisition of a majority stake in the LBH Group allows Rhenus to enter and cover the Latin American, Asian, Australian and African markets as a port agency with a global vocation with commercial sites in 24 countries across the world as well as alliances in 7 additional countries. As part of the acquisition, the logistics specialist takes over all employees of the globally active shipping agency, including the handling of incoming and outgoing ships, whether they transport bulk goods, liquid goods, containers or general cargo. Rhenus intends to extend the takeover to 100 percent of the shares over the coming years. The two parties have cooperated in a relationship of trust for many years. “We look forward to successfully continuing the development of our business together, with our trusted partner Rhenus becoming a permanent part of our future direction,” says Bert Lagendijk, Managing Partner of the LBH Group. Together with his brother Jan Lagendijk, the two co-founders of LBH will initially remain active within the company to exploit future growth opportunities.
The transaction with BLU Logistics is subject to approval by Colombian antitrust authorities.
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