In nearly 60 years of existence, FM Logistic had never established operations in Germany, Europe’s largest logistics market, despite being headquartered in Phalsbourg, in Alsace. The agreement signed on 22 June 2026 to acquire a majority stake in Schäflein, a Bavarian logistics group founded in 1967, marks both the group’s entry into this strategic market and its first M&A deal in ten years.
Analysis by the experts at Auris Finance, advisors in mergers, acquisitions and financial engineering.
FM Logistic has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire a majority stake in the share capital of German logistics group Schäflein. The current executives, Achim and Bernd Schäflein, will retain a share of the capital as well as their operational roles. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance from the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt). The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
The acquisition follows a 320 million euro fundraising round completed by FM Logistic in May 2026, confirming that the entry into Germany had been planned and financed well in advance.
A target with the right industrial profile
Schäflein has around 2,500 employees across more than 35 logistics sites in Germany, Austria and Poland, and more than 500,000 square metres of warehouse space. The company generates close to 40% of its revenue in industrial markets and 27% in mobility. According to S&P Global Capital IQ, Schäflein posted revenue of 211.4 million euros and EBITDA of 23.4 million euros at the end of 2024, giving an EBITDA margin of 11.1%.
The Bavarian group also brings a high level of automation through its in-house unit LOCIT, recognised know-how in reusable container management through its subsidiary SprintBOX, and a well-defined commitment to decarbonisation. It is precisely this technical profile that drove FM Logistic’s choice.
Jean-Christophe Machet, Chairman of FM Logistic, puts it plainly: “Our aim was not simply to acquire capacity, but above all valuable industrial know-how.”
A pan-European growth strategy
FM Logistic generates 1.87 billion euros of revenue and employs more than 28,000 people across Europe, Asia and Latin America. The group intends to roll out the Schäflein industrial model across the countries where it is already present, namely Poland, Slovakia, Spain and France, while integrating FM Logistic’s transport flows into Schäflein’s groupage network, including the Röthlein hub. Schäflein is also set to expand geographically into new high-potential hubs such as the Ruhr and Leipzig.
Jean-Christophe Machet sets out the vision behind the combination: “FM Logistic and Schäflein share a common DNA: that of family-owned businesses driven by a long-term vision and thinking in generations. Our entry into the German market rests on the strategic choice of a best-in-class partner. Our ambition is to invest for growth, to preserve and grow the Schäflein model, and to build together a leading pan-European player.”
A defining family succession
The deal fits within a succession pattern typical of the German Mittelstand. Achim Schäflein, CEO of Schäflein, confirms: “As we were preparing the handover to the next generation, we were looking for a strategic and industrial partner capable of accelerating the international growth of our model, while preserving its long-term vision and values. Joining FM Logistic gives us that international reach, while allowing us to preserve our identity, our management team and our commitment to our long-standing clients.”
On completion of the transaction, Schäflein’s operational governance will remain unchanged. Achim Schäflein, Bernd Schäflein and Christoph Heller, chief financial officer, will retain their positions. The Schäflein brand will be preserved, with a gradual alignment to FM Logistic’s identity rolled out over several years.
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