29th June 2023

Leading UK freight forwarder acquired by Dutch multinational

Maltacourt Global Logistics, a prominent UK player in the air and ocean freight forwarding industry, has been acquired by Janssen Group of Companies, the Dutch multinational which is a leading provider of logistics solutions.Leading UK freight forwarder acquired by Dutch multinational

Dow Schofield Watts’ corporate finance team in London advised Maltacourt on the deal.

Maltacourt is based in Runcorn near Liverpool Airport, with additional sites located close to six other major airports – London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford.

The company has a dedicated team of 65 skilled professionals and operates under the brands Maltacourt, Mandarin, and Extraordinair. Established in 1981, it was acquired by Matt Beech in 2011.

The deal further expands Janssen’s capabilities in the UK market following its acquisition in March of Norman Global Logistics, which is based near London Heathrow with sites in Felixstowe, Northampton, Manchester and St Helens.

Janssen said the combination of Norman and Maltacourt would create an industry leader with numerous opportunities for additional growth in the near future.

“The acquisition of Maltacourt aligns with Janssen’s strategic growth plans and underscores our commitment to a strong positioning in the UK,” said Rob Linders, CEO of Janssen. “Especially due to post-Brexit complexities, our seamless logistics operation covering both the EU and the UK provides numerous benefits for our clients”.

Matt Beech, Chairman of Maltacourt, added: “We are delighted to become part of Janssen, and we strongly believe there is no better fit for our business, culturally or strategically”.

The Dow Schofield Watts team consisted of Mark Watts, Dave Graham and Phil Hodgson. Dave Graham said: “Matt and the team at Maltacourt have done an excellent job in growing the footprint and capabilities of the business to become a key player within the industry. This deal will provide an exit for Matt, while the remaining management team will stay with the business and continue to lead its growth within the Janssen Group”.

Congratulations, all!