Heppner, a Strasbourg-based transport and logistics group, has announced the acquisition of Dutch company Segers Internaational Transport. This move forms part of Heppner’s strategy of internationalisation and inorganic growth, with a particular focus on the Spain-Netherlands axis. AURIS Finance, a consultancy specialising in mergers and acquisitions, provides an in-depth analysis of this latest market move.
This acquisition marks Heppner’s entry into the Netherlands market with the addition of a significant competitor. The company is taking over a family-run business specialising in international transport flows. Established in 1974, Segers Internaational Transport employs 30 individuals and recorded a turnover of €24 million in 2023. The company has a 14,000 m² warehouse based in Oosterhout in the Netherlands, a town situated between the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp (Belgium).
Strengthening the Dutch market
Another major advantage is that the Segers Internaational Transport warehouse is located 12 km from the Heppner branch in Gilze. In recent years, the Strasbourg-based company has significantly expanded its presence in the Netherlands through inorganic growth operations. In 2017, Heppner acquired HaCas Transport, a transport and logistics company with an established customer base in the Dutch market. In the same year, the company acquired a 40% stake in Spanish carrier Eurobeta Internacional. In 2021, the French carrier acquired DINA Logistics, a Belgian family business established in 2007 with an annual turnover of €12 million at the time of the acquisition. The company, headquartered west of Brussels, boasts a 12,000-square-metre facility comprising an office building, 5,000 square metres of logistics warehousing and 32 dock doors.
A European giant
Heppner has a presence in nine European countries, including Northern Europe, Spain and the UK. This provides the group with comprehensive coverage of the entire European market. Following the acquisition of Segers Internaational Transport, the carrier has reinforced its presence on the Spain/Netherlands route, which now represents 70% of the group’s business. The haulage company, which will celebrate its centenary in 2025, has expanded through organic growth and acquisitions. Although the small haulage firm originally started out with five hitches for local deliveries, the group soon expanded its operations to include international business. During the 1960s, Heppner expanded its network in Germany and made several acquisitions in France. In this way, the company established a strong presence throughout Europe. By 2024, Heppner employed 3,570 staff and served 10,000 customers, with a turnover of almost one billion euros.
Our experts at your service
Since its foundation in 1925, Heppner has experienced significant growth and development. The company’s growth has been driven by a series of strategic acquisitions. The Strasbourg-based group is now a significant player in the transport and logistics sector. This rapid growth demonstrates the value of mergers and acquisitions for companies aiming to enhance their expertise and expand their geographical reach. AURIS Finance’s team of experts is sector-specific. They provide comprehensive support throughout the buyout and disposal process, assisting in identifying targets and structuring financial aspects of deals.
