New “primus” at the Austrian groupage market

The Supervisory Board of OEBB-Holding AG approved the merger of the groupage segments of European Contract Logistics – Austria GmbH (ECL), a 100% subsidiary of ÖBB-Holding AG, and Quehenberger Logistics GmbH in its meeting dated 24th May 2016.
During several months of analysis and evaluation, Quehenberger Logistics has been identified as a strong national partner with a high potential for synergies in order to meet the challenges of the increasing competitive pressure in groupage transportation. Quehenberger Logistics GmbH brings its business segment Groupage into the ECL. In return, the ÖBB-Holding AG cedes 40 per cent of its shares to Quehenberger Logistics. In fact, Quehenberger brings ten Quehenberger locations with all employees, many years of market know-how, equipment, and IT systems to ECL.
In this new Austrian company, the biggest enterprise in the groupage sector, it is envisaged to pool and to consolidate the networks and competences of both partners. Based on these synergies, it will be possible to act in a sustainably successful and stable way in the market, despite increasing challenges in a highly competitive market environment.
The company will focus on groupage business and warehousing logistics. The objective is to become the preferred service provider for standardised and innovative products for domestic and international customers in groupage business. The company’s offer will include logistics solutions with the respective warehousing services and individual, additional services.The new company will offer customised solutions for all business sectors, among others, for the Automotive and Pharmaceutical sectors.
The two partners will sign the contracts at the beginning of June, the merger review process is going to start immediately after the signing of the contracts. After the approval by the antitrust authorities, the company will receive its name and its operational start – which is scheduled for the beginning of 2017 – will be prepared. Each partner will appoint a Managing Director.
Josef Halbmayr, Member of the Board of Management at ÖBB-Holding AG, ‘This partnership with Quehenberger is a clear forward strategy and strengthens our position in the market. We create in the groupage segment a stable, highly performing organisation with most promising market opportunities and future growth, and a higher degree of ecology in groupage business.
Christian Fürstaller, CEO and Co-Owner of the Augustin Quehenberger Group, the holding company of Quehenberger Logistics, adds, ‘By means of this pooling of activities there arise optimal synergy effects in the groupage network. Our joint business volume, in particular, creates the pre-condition for the further, positive development in the market. The new company is the result of an advantageous combination of locations and sector know-how.‘
www.oebb.at  www.quehenberger.com