Deutsche Post DHL acquires Hillebrand

Deutsche Post DHL Group has announced it will acquire J.F. Hillebrand Group and its subsidiaries. Hillebrand is specialized in transporting beverages and bulk liquids. The world’s largest courier company will pay 1.5 billion euros in cash for the German beverage logistics company.

The acquisition will help strengthen the position of Deutsche Post DHL Group in the market of ocean freight forwarding. Deutsche Post DHL has presented focusing on core logistics as a major element of its strategy for 2025.

‘Hillebrand complementary to existing portfolio’

“With the growing maturity of our freight forwarding business, this bolt-on acquisition is highly complementary to our existing portfolio”, CEO Frank Appel says. “We strengthen our core logistics business and deliver profitable long-term growth.”

We strengthen our core logistics business.

Hillebrand is a global service provider that generated 1.4 billion euros of revenue in the last twelve months, while shipping about 500,000 TEUs (20-foot containers) this year. Over 2,700 people across the globe work at Hillebrand.

Beverages and non-hazardous bulk liquids

Using flexitanks and ISO tank containers, Hillebrand focuses on the delivery of beverages, non-hazardous bulk liquids and other products that require special care. In a press release, DHL says it will benefit from Hillebrand’s know-how and customer experience in bulk liquids and other adjacent special care commodities. “To leverage the positive underlying growth pattern of these products”, the logistics company explains.

DHL and Hillebrand are a perfect match.

The two companies are a perfect match and we are pleased to announce our agreement to unite and form a future together”, Cees van Gent, CEO of Hillebrand comments. “I am proud of what the Hillebrand teams in true collaboration with our loyal customers and vendors have built over our 177-year history and we now look forward to joining forces with Deutsche Post DHL Group.”