The transport and logistics sector is undergoing a period of profound transformation: globalization of supply chains, rising energy costs, margin pressures, decarbonization challenges, and a growing need for innovation to remain competitive. In this environment, SMEs and mid-sized companies – which make up the majority of market players – must find strategic partners capable of supporting them in their growth, transfer, and transformation decisions.
It is in this context that AURIS Finance announces its partnership with the Astre Group, the leading European network of transport and logistics operators, to support its members in their strategic and financial projects.
The Astre Group: a major player in transport and logistics in Europe
Founded in 1992, the Astre Group brings together independent SMEs around a simple yet powerful idea: “The flexibility of SMEs, the strength of a large group.” This strong European network enables its members to innovate, pool their strengths, and remain independent while benefiting from the impact of a major group.
With more than 160 member companies and over 400 locations across Europe, Astre covers a wide range of transport solutions, from local to international services, as well as tailor-made logistics offerings.
Astre is not just a network: its purchasing service, deployed with more than 90 partners and concrete collaborations with suppliers such as Michelin for sustainable mobility, demonstrates the group’s ability to offer operational solutions to its members.
Furthermore, in July 2024, Astre’s shareholders voted for a reorganization of its entities to accelerate its European development, including the creation of a dedicated structure for France to better support its members in their growth and internationalization projects.
In 2025, the Astre Group also strengthened its collaborative momentum with major events such as the first edition of the Astre France Congress at the Circuit Paul Ricard, bringing together more than 300 participants to discuss innovation and cooperation challenges in transport and logistics.
For more information about the network, please visit their official website: https://www.astre.fr/en/.
A response to the current challenges facing SMEs and mid-sized companies
Transport and logistics companies must anticipate regulatory changes, optimize their value chains, and structure transfer or financing operations. The partnership between AURIS Finance and Astre meets this need by offering dedicated expertise to leaders for:
- full or partial business divestment
- acquisition or merger with other players
- fundraising or capital restructuring
- strategic advisory to support growth or transfer
AURIS Finance combines sector expertise with financial engineering to turn leaders’ ambitions into concrete and sustainable projects.
A changing environment that demands agility and anticipation
The transport and logistics sector in France represents a significant share of national economic activity, with a majority of medium-sized companies and a strong dependence on road transport.
However, it faces several structural challenges:
- increasing pressure to decarbonize operations, illustrated by Astre’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan aligned with European energy transition objectives;
- strong international competition requiring collaborative growth models to remain competitive;
- regulatory and economic pressures, particularly in road transport, which require precise strategic management.
At the national level, a new logistics and transport roadmap for 2025–2026 has been unveiled, highlighting the strategic importance of these sectors for France’s competitiveness, economic resilience, and ecological transition.
Experts available to support your strategic projects
To provide tangible support to sector leaders, AURIS Finance mobilizes its experts specialized in the transport and logistics markets. They are available to discuss your projects and respond to your strategic needs. Whether you are considering a growth operation, a transfer, a review of your capital structure, or a financing need, our experts support you at every step of your project.
To learn more and discover how this partnership can support you, please do not hesitate to contact us.
