6
B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
Tank Containers
May/June 2019
Vervaeke snaps up Dohmen
B
elgian tank operator Vervaeke is buying Dutch tank
container specialist Jan Dohmen.
The acquisition provides Vervaeke with a stronger position in
multimodal transport, not only in Europe but also globally.
Family-owned Jan Dohmen has grown since it was founded in
1912 in Herkenbosch, Netherlands, into an important European
intermodal service provider for bulk liquids and gases. Dohmen runs
a fleet of over 700 tank containers and specialises in intermodal,
deepsea, gas and on-site logistics.
The company has a turnover of more than €20 million and 70
employees in several locations. In Herkenbosch, the company runs
an important storage site and maintenance centre. All directors and
staff remain on board.
The takeover lifts Vervaeke’s turnover to around €140 million with
a fleet of 750 trucks, more than 1,000 tank trailers, 750 tank
containers and a team of 950 employees. The group offers tank
transport out of 13 sites spread around the Benelux, France and
Germany and is focused on logistics services for the chemical and
petrochemical industries.
Vervaeke had already doubled its core business through a prior
takeover, transport company van der Lee in 2017, and as a result
Dohmen runs a fleet of over 700 tank containers
has extended its geographical presence in the biggest chemical
cluster in Europe.
Thanks to the acquisition of Dohmen, Vervaeke is now able to
offer intermodal tank container transport. “Unaccompanied
transport to destinations faraway gives an additional asset to
guarantee our continuity of services taking into account the
shortage of drivers, traffic congestion and growing climate
awareness,” said Frederic Derumeaux, CEO of Vervaeke. “This
takeover fits perfectly in our strategy to offer to our demanding
customer base more flexible and quality solutions in logistics.”
From their side, the former owners of Jan Dohmen, Joost
Sonnemans and Roel van Heugten were equally pleased with this
development and look forward with confidence. “Thanks to the
market intelligence and the customer base of Vervaeke we are
convinced a lot of possibilities lay ahead to expand our specific
services,” they said.
Red Dot bought
by Frans de Wit
M
oerdijk-based Frans de Wit International BV has
acquired the Belgian company Red Dot Services bvba.
Red Dot is a third party logistics provider specialising in freight
forwarding and shipping of chemicals and gases in ISO tank
containers, with a focus on traffic between Asia and Europe. Red
Dot Services was founded by Inge Karlberg in 2007, and who is now
retired.
The company’s mission is to assist customers with their logistics
requirements involved in the import and export of freight. Red Dot
Services will retain its company name and its site in Antwerp.
For the time being, former CEO of Red Dot Steve Govers will
continue to be involved to ensure a smooth transfer.
Lars de Wit, CEO of Frans de Wit International BV, commented:
“By means of these new forwarding and shipping activities, we have
expanded our range of services. This means that we can now be of
service to our customers not only in Europe, but also in Asia. This is
an extension of our one-stop-shop concept, where all services fit
together seamlessly and reinforce one another.”
Cooperation and synergy
Govers added: “Based on our co-operation, I am convinced that
the synergy that exists between the two companies will be
strengthened by this acquisition. As Frans de Wit has its own
forwarding services, the logistics process will be much more efficient
and faster for our customers. This means that the rapid service to
which Red Dot customers are accustomed will be safeguarded.
Brigitta van der Sloot, who has been working at Frans de Wit for
some time, is the new single point of contact for customers and
suppliers.
For Steve Govers and Inge Karlberg, the path to ISO tank leasing
opens up again, with their company MIMU ISO Tank Leasing which
was established in 2016. They will now take on the specialised tank
container market with a fleet ranging from 12,000 to 21,000 litres,
to include mainly T14 and lined tanks.
Govers said: “We are doing very well in this niche market and we
ideally want to be known for our specific expertise in this segment.
This is demonstrated by our recently purchased 17,500L and
21,000L lined tanks. We also realise that as a new player it is very
difficult to compete with the established lessors in an already
saturated market for standard tanks.”
RedDot Services will have a booth at this year’s transport logistic in
Munich (Hall B4, booth 221/322).
www.mimu-tankleasing.com
www.reddotservices.net