Broekman Logistics, the Rotterdam-headquartered global logistics and supply chain solution provider, today announced the acquisition of the VLS-Group’ warehousing activities in Belgium and The Netherlands. With this purchase, Broekman Logistics further reinforces its market leadership in the warehousing, distribution and value-added logistics of packed and specialty chemicals in the BeNeLux.
“This acquisition, the largest in our nearly 60 years of existence, marks a major milestone for Broekman Logistics”, according to Raymond Riemen, CEO of Broekman Logistics. “By adding 150,000 m2 of storage space, our covered warehouse portfolio increases with over 40% whilst we grow our employee base significantly. On behalf of us all at Broekman Logistics, I warmly welcome each of the new 230 colleagues to our company”.
The VLS-Group is a leading European provider of integrated logistics and value-adding services for the chemical industry. It is a subsidiary of the Israeli based Gadot Chemical Group, Israel’s leading chemical distribution organization. All warehousing facilities in Belgium and The Netherlands will be taken over by the Broekman Logistics group. All assets in tank storage in the Port of Ghent and its German activities are excluded from the deal. Both companies decided not to disclose any financial figures involved in the transaction.
“The divestment of our Belgian and Dutch warehousing activities to Broekman Logistics, allows us to focus on our core activities”, according to Alain Poublon, the CEO of the VLS-Group, “Whilst ensuring a long-term and sustainable future for the employees and clients of the VLS-Group”.
“We are looking forward to become a part of Broekman Logistics”, says Anton van Dongen, VLS-Group’s BeNe Director of the involved entities. “We are confident that the motivational aspect of this merger will help us to exploit the synergetic effects whilst ensuring we maximize the return on our assets”.
Willem Jan van Amersfoort, Managing Director of Broekman Logistics’ Warehousing & Distribution division explains; “There is a strong strategic fit between the two companies, as the client-base, locations of the specialized warehousing facilities and the type of VAL-activities complement each other. This acquisition brings additional value-added logistics activities to our company, such as filling, drumming and bagging, of which our clients and partners will surely benefit. Anton van Dongen adds: “On the other hand, our customers will be offered the benefits of Broekman Logistics’ global network and thought leadership for chemical supply chain solutions. As a joint team, we are certain that this is a merger of benefits where the two companies will continuously strengthen each other, both now and in the future”.
The five locations in Antwerp and the location in Rotterdam-Pernis shall operate under the Broekman Logistics brand and be fully integrated into Warehousing & Distribution division. As of today the company operates circa 445,000m2 covered warehousing facilities and employs over a thousand colleagues in 43 different locations, worldwide.
