The Kivits Logistics Group B.V. has reached an agreement with Belgian New Fruit Wharf nv (BNFW) concerning the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Rotterdam Fruit Wharf B.V. (RFW). The takeover has been completed with immediate effect.
Both parties had been in talks for some time about possible cooperation and this has led to a complete takeover by Kivits Logistics Group. Because BNFW mainly focuses on water bound operations and its current location in the Merwehaven in Rotterdam is planned for urban development and there are no prospects for a suitable quay for BNFW in the Port of Rotterdam, BNFW has decided to sell its position in the Netherlands.
Therefore, BNFW was looking for a strong partner who could guarantee the same high-quality service to customers and who would pay attention to the staff. Kivits Logistics Group has a strong position in adding value in the entire logistics chain of fruit and other fresh foods in Ridderkerk (new cold store Nieuw Reyerswaard), de Meern, Elshout, Waalwijk and Asse-Zellik (B).
Kivits Logistics Group will continue to use RFW's current locations for the time being, but will be able to offer its customers alternative locations. In addition, RFW's clients can, with immediate effect, call upon the expertise of Kivits Logistics Group for, among other things, Value Added Services (packing and repacking) and make use of the transport and distribution network of Kivits-Drunen.
Initially, RFW's locations at Korte Vaart Pier and Midden Pier in the Port of Rotterdam will be added to Kivits Logistics Group 's network. In consultation with the Port Authority, the Municipality of Rotterdam, customers and other stakeholders, Kivits Logistics Group is looking for the most ideal future location for RFW's customers. BNFW will continue to focus on its operations in Hamburg, Antwerp, Zeebrugge and South Africa (3 locations).
Rob van Opzeeland, CEO of Kivits Logistics Group : "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with BNFW. The parties had a good relationship for some time and found each other in the interest of customers and employees. The talks eventually led to a sale."
Johan Claes, director of BNFW: "The network of Kivits Logistics Group and the fact that this is also a family business with the same attention to quality make this the perfect new home for the RFW customers and employees. In the meantime, BNFW is continuing to invest in its facilities in the other ports."
Kivits Logistics Group B.V. is a more than 75 year old family business. Kivits Logistics Group is a group of companies which, over the last 20 years, has developed into a major player in the field of logistics for chilled food products, with chilled food products and fruit and vegetables as its main products. Kivits Logistics Group distinguishes itself in the market by offering transparent partnerships and high added value. Kivits Logistics Group has about 500 employees, about 10 cold stores and a transport branch with about 150 refrigerated trucks. In addition, Kivits Logistics Group has interests in various import, repackaging and packaging companies and in Boostlogix, a company that focuses on process, quality and ICT improvements in logistics. All companies belonging to Kivits Logistics Group strive to do so in the most sustainable way possible.
Belgian New Fruit Wharf N.V. is part of the SEA-invest group, SEA-invest is active in 8 countries and 25 ports in Europe and Africa. BNFW has operations in Hamburg (FKZ and U. Stein) with storage and transhipment of fruit and vegetables and customs activities, in Antwerp (BNFW/Belfruco) with container transhipment and fruit storage, as well as customs and forwarding activities, in Zeebrugge with storage and transhipment and packaging of fresh products (BNFW - Belfruco) and Flanders Cold Center for the storage of juices and vegetables in chilled and frozen. In South Africa (SAFT) with cold stores in Cape Town (Atlantic Hills and Killarney) and Paarl.
For more information:
Rob van Opzeeland
Kivits Logistics Group
Tel: +31 6 10900658
Rob@kivitslogisticsgroup.nl
www.Kivitslogisticsgroup.nl