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Dachser to buy Sweden’s Frigoscandia

[ January 2, 2024   //   ]

German-owned forwarder Dachser is to acquire Swedish temperature-controlled and frozen food logistics operator Frigoscandia, subject to approval by the European competition authorities from private equity investor Mutares SE & Co. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

Frigoscandia’s workforce of 1,300 employees is primarily located in its core market, Sweden, as well as in Denmark, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands, and generated revenue of €300 million in 2023. Founded in 1948, the company is now the leading full-service provider in its sector in the Nordic region.

It operates a domestic network in Sweden with a fleet of around 500 vehicles, including 260 owned, international transport in 51 markets by road, air and sea transports, 12 warehouses in Sweden and three in Norway. The company also joined the European Food Network in 2019.

Dachser chief executive, Burkhard Eling, said: “We are not only broadening our own Dachser Food Logistics to the Nordic markets, but also reinforcing our position as one of the leading European providers in food logistics. Our focus remains on growing organically and sustainably. In addition, this year we’ve strengthened our presence in key markets such as Benelux, Oceania, South Africa, Italy, and now the Nordics through targeted acquisitions.”

On completion of the transaction, Frigoscandia will be fully integrated into the Dachser Food Logistics Network and will report to chief operating officer road logistics and managing director of Dachser Food Logistics, Alexander Tonn, from 1 January 2024.

Frigoscandia chief executive Peter Haveneth will continue to lead the company together with his management team. He said: “We already have an established successful collaboration with Dachser, as part of the European Food Network, serving 34 countries. This change of ownership is a natural step, and it’s in line with our business plan to further strengthen our network and position ourselves for the future.”

The acquisition of Frigoscandia has no impact on the European Food Network in Denmark, which will continue to be covered by Danish logistics provider H.P. Therkelsen, nor in the Netherlands with Müller Fresh Foods Logistics.

Dachser’s Food Logistics currently has no presence of its own in Sweden, Norway or Finland and the transaction will not result in any duplicate structures, and all employees of Frigoscandia AB will be transferred to Dachser upon completion of the acquisition.

Dachser has been active in the Nordic markets with its own regional organization—represented by the European Logistics business line (industrial and consumer goods) and the Air & Sea Logistics business field—since 2005. The company has 13 branches across Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Including Frigoscandia, Dachser now employs about 2,000 people in the region.

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