Global Transport Solutions Holding (GTS) has completed the first of four planned acquisitions in 2020 after buying Airsped Logistics, a 3PL logistics service provider in Norway.
Netherlands-based GTSÂ is the holding company of Singapore-headquartered Marinetrans Group and Best Global Logistics Group of Netherlands.
GTS confirmed that it is working on three other acquisitions, part of a global “buy-and- build strategy” that is expected to be finalised during the first quarter of 2020.
GTS chief executive Michel Loots said: “We are excited about this acquisition in the Norwegian market. As a 3PL logistics service provider, Airsped has been the logistics partner of Marinetrans in Norway for over 25 years.
“We already worked closely together with regards to warehousing and time-critical logistics via air, ocean and trucking, which made this a logical next step in our collaboration.
“Having Airsped on board of our logistics group strengthens our position in the Norwegian market and will give GTS more opportunities to service our Norwegian and international customers locally in Norway.”
Loots added that Airsped and Marinetrans are “strongly intertwined” and have a long history of mutual cooperation. The combined deal of Airsped and GTS with the support of Waterland Private Equity Investments is an important step for both companies.
Said Loots: “We see great opportunities to grow our combined business in the Norwegian market. This is our first acquisition since we have teamed up with Waterland Private Equity and a first step in our buy-and-build strategy to globally expand and strengthen GTS in marine spare parts and other complex and critical logistics.”
Petter Fausko, chief executive of Airsped Logistics, commented: “After 36 years of ownership, it feels natural to join GTS and its growth ambitions in marine spare parts and other complex and critical logistics services. I am excited to take part in this adventure and add Airsped’s qualities to the group.”
Waterland is an independent private equity firm founded in The Netherlands in 1999.
To date, Waterland has raised seven investment funds with a combined €6bn in assets under management and has executed more than 650 acquisitions in more than 100 different markets.
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