New developments in the goods transport sector. Deslog group, headquartered in northern France, has announced the acquisition of TRA (Transports Routiers d’Alsace) and TRA Europe, two companies based in the Bas-Rhin region. AURIS Finance, a consultancy specialising in mergers and acquisitions, provides a detailed analysis of the transaction.
At the age of 37, the Chairman and CEO of the TRA (Transports Routiers d’Alsace) group has identified an opportunity for a sale. Franck Augustin is the third generation of his family to oversee the management of the company, which was established in 1957. Having joined the group in 2008, he is now selling TRA and TRA Europe, two of the company’s entities, which collectively employ 63 people and operate 41 vehicles.
A sector in the throes of profound change
Back in 2020, the Chairman and CEO – who is now selling the company – expressed his concerns about the future of road transport. In the aftermath of the global economic crisis of 2009, he undertook a review of his business model, shifting away from subcontracting in favour of direct customer relationships. The global pandemic has had a further detrimental impact on what was previously a thriving business. In an interview with Transport Info, the CEO also emphasised the importance of placing the driver at the centre of the company’s concerns. In the post-pandemic era, the scarcity of proficient drivers is an indisputable fact. Building driver loyalty is a real challenge for this family-run business, which is struggling to retain drivers looking for a better work-life balance.
Integration into the Deslog holding company
The family business has been affected by a number of factors, including inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, fuel price pressures and the need to adapt to climate change. At the end of the summer of 2024, TRA and TRA Europe became part of Deslog Group. This company, led by Pascal Desmet, is a provider of premium logistics services for small and medium-sized businesses. In 2023, Deslog generated annual sales of €120 million and had a workforce of 380 employees. The company’s comprehensive range of transport services, which includes chartering, logistics and warehousing, as well as timber trading and processing, is what sets it apart.
An aggressive inorganic growth strategy
The group has established a national and international network, primarily through acquisitions, and currently has approximately ten subsidiaries operating under their own brand name, Deslog being the name of the holding company. Each service branch is supported by a subsidiary. LST (La Solution Transport) specialises in the transport and chartering of goods. Destock Bois and SN Palettes 34 are wholly dedicated to the trade and processing of wood, notably through the production of pallets and crates. Furthermore, the group has two international subsidiaries. The acquisition of TRA and TRA Europe will enable Deslog to reinforce its presence in the Alsace region, where the company already operates through its subsidiary SAFE. If the CEO of TRA and TRA Europe leaves his post, operational continuity will be ensured. Yannick Heinrich, Chief Operating Officer, will oversee the transition.
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