Culina Group, a leading shared-user logistics provider for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), announced that it has agreed to acquire International Road Ferry (IRF). The terms of the agreement, including the price of the deal, have not been disclosed. IRF is a well-known player in the transport industry with offices in Rotterdam, Grubbenvorst (Venlo), Felixstowe, and Thetford, and specializes in the unaccompanied transport of full and partial loads between Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. The company has over 25 years of experience in this market and is known for its excellent customer service, thanks to its local offices and efficient communication.
The acquisition of IRF will significantly strengthen Culina Group’s position in the European logistics sector. IRF will benefit from being part of the larger Culina Group, which will provide investment and job security while fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. “International Road Ferry and Culina Group are complementary businesses, both with strong reputations in the industry and similar values,” said Thomas van Mourik, CEO of Culina Group. “This acquisition will be beneficial for both our staff and our clients, and will make Culina Group a key player in European transport.”
After the acquisition, IRF will continue to operate as usual and will be integrated into Culina Group’s Stobart Intermodal division, led by Arthur Koutstaal as Managing Director. Raff Hustinx, Managing Director of Stobart Europe, will assist with finance and reporting. “Culina Group recognizes that it is investing in a highly successful business with its own unique culture,” said Antoine Ligtvoet, CEO of IRF. “Our aim is to support our growth with the added resources of Culina Group. The combination of our two businesses will create major opportunities for significantly growing market share.”
Culina Group is a leading provider of ambient and chilled food and drink third-party logistics services, including warehousing, distribution, contract packing, and bonded goods services in the UK and Ireland. The group, which has an overall turnover of more than £2.2 billion and employs more than 22,000 people at peak, includes well-known businesses such as Culina Logistics, Great Bear, Stobart, iForce, The Pallet Network, Logistics People, Fowler Welch, CML, Morgan McLernon, IPS, MMiD, and Warrens. It has over 20 million square feet of warehousing and a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles.
Source: Culina Logistics