A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) will acquire two e-commerce companies as it continues to build its end-to-end supply chain portfolio.
Maersk has announced the acquisition of Visible Supply Chain Management (Visible SCM), a business-to-consumer (B2C) logistics company focused on B2C parcel delivery and B2C fulfillment services in the US and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The definitive transaction agreements for $838 million purchase of Visible SCM were signed on 28 June 2021.
Visible SCM uses a geographical network that places fulfillment centers closer to the consumer, with less distance and faster delivery.
Maersk said its customers can tap into Visible SCM’s e-commerce network to deliver goods to 75% of the US population within 24 hours and reach 95% of the market within a two-day delivery window.
Visible SCM operates nine fulfillment centers in the US, complementing Maersk’s current warehouse presence in North America. Visible SCM handles 200,000 orders a day and enables 200 million parcels a year.
Maersk has also announced the intention to acquire B2C Europe Holding B.V. (B2C Europe) a business-to-consumer logistics company focused on B2C parcel delivery services in Europe and based in the Netherlands.
The carrier will spend a further $86 million on the transaction, agreed on 5 August 2021.
B2C Europe operates a multi-carrier platform with a significant reach and volumes into all European countries through an extensive carrier network.
“Fast-changing consumer buying patterns and digital platforms are accelerating online consumption, redefining business models across the globe,” Maersk wrote in an announcement.
“Many Maersk customers are seeing strong e-commerce sales growth as they roll out digital first strategies and are looking for support of their business-to-consumer supply chain growth.
“The two acquisitions will address this customer trend and strengthen Maersk’s e-commerce logistics products suite in line with its strategic business transformation.”
Vincent Clerc, Maersk Ocean & Logistics CEO, added, “Maersk has set out to build strong e-commerce logistics capabilities that will extend and reinforce our existing supply chain offering and create growth opportunities.
“Today, customers rely on the integrated logistics approach and services which Maersk offers.
“By combining that with the operating models and value proposition of Visible SCM and B2C Europe, we will enable our customers to continue to develop their e-commerce offering, thus extending the scope and potential of our strategic partnerships.”
