Bonn, Germany – Deutsche Post DHL Group closes the acquisition of J.F. Hillebrand Group AG (Hillebrand) and its subsidiaries at an equity value of EUR1.5 billion. After obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals by the required antitrust authorities, the takeover has been consummated. The companies had already signed the purchase agreement in August 2021. Accordingly, Hillebrand now belongs 100% to the DHL division Global Forwarding, Freight.
Hillebrand is now part of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight under the leadership of Tim Scharwath, who will also head the combined businesses of Hillebrand and Gori as its CEO. Cees van Gent, who successfully managed Hillebrand since 2017, decided to step down as its CEO and Chairman of the Board and will leave the group. Hillebrand and Gori will work closely together, leveraging synergies from the extensive experience of both providers, especially in the logistics of beverages, beer, wine and spirits. Gori, the wine and spirits sector specialist, has already been part of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight since 1998. The integrated business will operate under the new brand name ‘Hillebrand Gori – a DHL company’. The successful closing of the transaction will strengthen the Group’s position in the dynamic ocean freight forwarding market.
Important part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s Strategy 2025 is to strengthen its profitable core and grow its logistics business further into sustainable higher margin levels, which explains Hillebrand as an attractive partner to increase profitable long-term growth.