FIRSTFLEET acquired by WERNER ENTERPRISES

Saudi Logistics Services Company (SAL) entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the entire share capital of Aviapartner Liège SA from its parent companies, Aviapartner Belgium NV and Aviapartner Holding NV. This transaction represents a key strategic step in SAL's international expansion and its ambition to build a global logistics platform. By acquiring a well-established cargo handling operation at Liege Airport, one of Europe's busiest and most important air cargo hubs, SAL gains a significant operational foothold in the European market. The acquisition is intended to enhance SAL's global service network, enabling it to offer integrated logistics solutions and create synergies for its airline partners and customers by connecting them to major global trade corridors. Management stated the move reflects SAL's strategy to diversify revenue streams and strengthen its integrated operating model. This expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia's national objective to become a global logistics hub, as outlined in the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030. The deal ensures operational continuity, with the entire local workforce being retained by the new owner. The completion of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.

BC Partners has completed a strategic investment to acquire a majority ownership stake in Fortidia, a global platform for shipping and business services. The stake was acquired from the company's founding Fiorelli family and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management. This transaction represents a partnership, as Chairman and CEO Paolo Fiorelli will continue to lead the company and will also retain a significant equity position. For Fortidia, this partnership arrives at a pivotal moment, intended to fuel ambitious plans for strengthening its competitive position, accelerating international expansion, and enhancing its financial profile. The management team believes BC Partners’ operational expertise and resources will be instrumental in achieving these growth objectives. From BC Partners' perspective, the investment aligns with its strategic focus on backing successful entrepreneurs within the route-based services sector, an area the firm identifies as having strong long-term growth potential. The private equity firm was attracted to Fortidia’s resilient business model, its extensive established network, and its compelling growth trajectory. Post-closing, BC Partners intends to collaborate closely with the management team to pursue further growth, both organically by enhancing service offerings and expanding the global network, and inorganically through strategic M&A in a fragmented market.

This transaction represents a sponsorless management buyout wherein the incumbent executive team successfully acquires full control of Wiio. To securely finance this corporate transition without relying on a traditional majority private equity shareholder, the management leveraged a bespoke mezzanine debt facility provided by Cerea. This highly flexible financial structure perfectly empowers the leadership to maintain total strategic independence while securing the vital capital backing required to seamlessly transition ownership. The primary objective is to continuously drive the target's expansion as a premier logistics IT integrator under the direct guidance of its historical management.

Ardian reached a definitive agreement to divest 100% of its interest in NHV Group to GD Helicopter Finance. This industrial exit marks the culmination of a twelve-year transformation where Ardian supported NHV's evolution from a regional player into a diversified European leader. The acquisition allows GDHF to internalize NHV's specialized operational platform, creating a vertically integrated group capable of managing the entire lifecycle of mission-critical rotary-wing assets. The combined entity is positioned to dominate the North Sea and West African offshore markets by leveraging GDHF's fleet pipeline and NHV's MRO and pilot training certifications. The transaction ensures long-term operational continuity for oil, gas, and maritime clients under the ongoing leadership of the current executive team.

In a major market consolidation move, the logistics giant GEODIS has signed an agreement to acquire the Groupe Malherbe. This "Corporate" transaction marks the exit of financial investors (Siparex, etc.) and the end of Malherbe's independent LBO cycles. By integrating Malherbe, GEODIS significantly strengthens its French road transport network, creating a combined entity with EUR2 billion in revenue solely in this segment (Road Transport), capable of competing with European leaders.

The Groupe Alaine has acquired a majority stake in Gamba & Rota, a recognized specialist in wine and spirits logistics. This acquisition allows Alaine to strengthen its "premium" service offering and integrate advanced automated warehousing capabilities (Autostore) into its network. For Gamba & Rota, joining a larger family-owned group ensures the company's durability and development while retaining its management team.

The Groupe Jardel continues its external growth strategy by acquiring the Groupe Naval, a significant player in the South-West of France. This acquisition allows Jardel to strengthen its density on the Atlantic coast and reinforce its expertise in refrigerated transport for retail chains. The integration of Naval adds approximately 250 drivers to Jardel's workforce, pushing the group's total revenue past the EUR250 million milestone.

Deal Description: The group has finalized a definitive agreement to acquire the target in a move designed to fundamentally transform its European network density. The strategic rationale for this transaction centers on a "market-unification" play, merging the target's industry-leading technical operational depth in the Czech leisure market with the group’s established global low-cost infrastructure. This structural alignment provides the organization with the scientific talent and logistical hardware (specifically an additional 47 aircraft) required to address the increasing demand for affordable cross-border travel in the CEE region. This operation allows the group to execute a definitive structural expansion of its destination portfolio, particularly targeting the robust tour operator networks in Prague.

Antin Infrastructure Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake (exceeding 70%) in Swiftair Group. The founder, Salvador Moreno, will retain a significant minority stake and continue as CEO to lead the next phase of growth. This investment represents the seventh transaction for Antin’s €2.2 billion Mid Cap Fund I. The strategic rationale focuses on capitalizing on the structural growth of the express airfreight market, fueled by e-commerce and critical logistics demand. Antin intends to support Swiftair in modernizing its fleet and pursuing further market consolidation, following the company’s previous successful acquisitions of Cygnus Air and West Atlantic. The partnership aims to optimize Swiftair’s intra-European routes while opportunistically exploring high-growth markets to meet the global needs of its Tier-1 integrator client base. The deal was supported by financial advisors Deutsche Bank and BBVA for the buyer, and Morgan Stanley for the seller.

Clareton, a refrigerated transport specialist in Occitanie, structures its first LBO ("OBO/LBO") to finance a strategic external growth operation. The group brings in Re-Sources Capital as a minority financial partner, with 3mEUR equity investment.