Kuehne+Nagel buys German road logistics Activi ES of Lohmoller

Kuehne+Nagel buys German road logistics Activi ES of Lohmoller

Kuehne+Nagel Strengthens European Overland Logistics Network Through Strategic Acquisitions

Kuehne+Nagel International AG has expanded its European overland logistics operations by acquiring two German-based companies: G.L. Kayser Spediteur seit 1787 GmbH & Co. KG and the Cordes & Simon Group. These acquisitions, announced in 2011, align with the company's strategy to enhance its market presence in Germany and across Europe.

G.L. Kayser, a family-owned logistics provider headquartered in Mainz, specializes in international and national overland transportation and contract logistics. With an annual turnover of €120 million and 700 employees, the company operates 120,000 sqm of warehouse space across four locations in the Rhine-Main region. Cordes & Simon, established in 1934 and based in Hagen, focuses on groupage services and reported a turnover of €100 million in 2006, employing 550 staff. Both companies operate in key industrial regions of Germany, including Berlin-Brandenburg and the Rhine-Ruhr area.

Klaus Herms, CEO of Kuehne+Nagel, emphasized that the acquisitions add "long-time experience and expertise" to the group, reinforcing its growth objectives and strengthening its European logistics network. The transactions, subject to antitrust approval, were not disclosed in terms of financial details.

These moves follow Kuehne+Nagel's broader expansion strategy, including the 2019 acquisition of Rottra's overland and logistics activities in the Netherlands and Belgium, which added 800 employees and €100 million in annual revenue to its operations. The company has also pursued growth in specialized sectors, such as aerospace logistics, through the pending acquisition of Eastway Global Forwarding Ltd., expected to close by late 2025.

By integrating established regional players like G.L. Kayser and Cordes & Simon, Kuehne+Nagel aims to solidify its position as a leading European overland logistics provider while diversifying into high-growth industries.