Sale of logistics specialist Lehnkering to South Africa-based IMPERIAL Group complete
- IMPERIAL acquires 100 per cent of shares
- Shares to be transferred as of 2 January 2012
- Peder Prahl, director of the General Partner of Triton Fund I: "Focusing Lehnkering's activities and specifically targeted investments in the expansion of its business has put the company in its best-ever position."
Frankfurt, 22 December 2011 - The European Commission has today approved the complete takeover of Duisburg-based logistics specialist Lehnkering by the IMPERIAL Group, located in South Africa. The shares will be transferred as of 2 January 2012.
Triton had acquired Lehnkering from Hapag Lloyd at the beginning of 2004 and proceeded on a resolute course of expansion. "By focusing the company's activities and making specifically targeted investments in the expansion of its business, we have given Lehnkering a decisively significant strategic direction, meaning the company is in the best position it has ever been in," said Peder Prahl, director of the General Partner of Triton Fund I.
Lehnkering has succeeded in implementing an operative process of improvements designed to run long-term. The key factors in this achievement were the above average investment period and the extensive expertise in the logistics industry Triton contributed to the company. Dr. Bernd Malmström, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Lehnkering, said "Right from day one, Triton was committed to providing Lehnkering with long-term support. It was important to us to have a reliable owner with first-hand operational knowledge."
Over the last few years, Lehnkering continuously strengthened its market position in a challenging economic environment. Defying the economic crisis, the company has seen its profitability rise substantially. The continuation of investment activities in all areas of the business, conservative financing policies and, above all, a close, constructive dialogue with employee representatives were key factors. "Our experience of Triton is of an unwaveringly proactive, responsible owner, no matter how difficult the times," said Alfons Becker, chairman of the Lehnkering works council.
About Lehnkering
Lehnkering is one of the leading logistics services providers in Central and North-western Europe with turnover totalling approx. EUR 580 million and more than 2,700 employees. Specialising in the chemical, petrochemical and steel industries, the company has had more than 135 years of extensive experience in providing logistics and services. Lehnkering provides its customers with individual solutions as a neutral service provider and partner. They consist of classical logistics services (Logistics) and far-reaching value-added services (Services).
About IMPERIAL Holdings Ltd.
IMPERIAL Holdings Ltd., a South African corporation, is a publicly traded mobility company specialising in the automobile retail business, car rentals, tourism, and logistics. The group employs a totalof about forty thousand persons and most recently achieved annual revenues of approx. EUR 6.8 billion.
About Triton Partners
Founded in 1997 and owned by its partners, Triton Partners is a leading European mid-market sector-specialist investor. Triton Partners focuses on investing in businesses that provide mission critical goods and services in its three core sectors of Business Services, Industrial Tech, and Healthcare.
Triton Partners has over 150 investment professionals and value creation experts across eleven offices and invests through three complementary “All Weather” strategies: Mid-Market Private Equity, Smaller Mid-Cap Private Equity, and Opportunistic Credit.