Hillebrand, a transport and logistics provider to the alcoholic beverage industry, recently acquired Braid, which specializes in bulk liquid logistics.
The Mainz, Germany-based company said the acquisition strengthens its expertise in handling non-hazardous liquids in bulk, such as wine, olive oil, non-hazardous chemicals, juices and edible oils, which adds to its long-established experience in full-service logistics services of cased goods.
“Braid offers an exciting opportunity for Hillebrand to strengthen its network of services, products, skills, knowledge and teams,” said Cees van Gent, CEO and chairman of Hillebrand’s executive board. “With its global reach, wide range of customized logistics solutions in bulk liquids transportation, as well as its manufacturing and technology know-how, the acquisition of Braid supports Hillebrand’s strategy to not only lead the market in logistics services for alcoholic beverages but also for non-hazardous bulk liquids.”
Braid is a diversified group offering bulk liquids logistics services worldwide, which Hillebrand said will complement its array of bulk liquids solutions and expand its manufacturing capabilities, adding two facilities in the United Kingdom and China. The combination of Hillebrand’s bulk liquids services and Braid will create a “world-leading, end-to-end service provider” for bulk liquids, and one of the largest food-grade ISO tank operators globally.
“Hillebrand’s acquisition of Braid provides a major growth opportunity for both businesses,” said Allan Leddra, CEO of Braid. “The two companies will achieve more as a unit, increasing value for customers, given both companies’ high reputation for providing a leading customer experience in bulk liquids logistics.”
Leddra and his management team will join Hillebrand to drive a successful integration and continue to grow the consolidated bulk liquids business of Braid and Hillebrand. “We also share the same values and culture, so we are confident that our employees will smoothly integrate in the new organization and will find new growing opportunities within Hillebrand,” Leddra added.
The companies say they also share a commitment to safe and sustainable transportation of goods, with high investments in R&D to create innovative and environmentally friendly solutions for their customers. The shared knowledge and expertise in non-hazardous commodities, the aim to provide an end-to-end service to even more customers, in addition to a wider product offering, are part of the benefits of bringing the two companies under one corporation.
“This marks a further step in our journey to make Hillebrand an even more robust, bigger and better company than it is today, through our buy and build strategy,” van Gent said.
The acquisition is Hillebrand’s third in the past year, following 3W-Logistik (Germany) and Royal Logistics (USA), and is expected to result in greater efficiencies and an increased product offering.
Hillebrand’s bulk liquids services and Braid will, for the time being, continue to run their operations separately. The companies said they will bring their businesses together gradually within the next 12 months.
“It goes without saying that our customers will continue to receive the same high-quality service, which they have come to expect,” van Gent concluded.