Düsseldorf/Frankfurt/Berlin/Paris—Global law firm Dentons has advised transport and logistics company GEODIS on the acquisition of logistics service provider trans-o-flex, which specializes in the temperature-controlled transport of pharmaceutical and high-tech products. GEODIS intends to further develop its integrated freight network in Germany with the acquisition. 

GEODIS, fully owned by the French railway company SNCF, is a leading global transportation and logistics services provider active in five business segments (supply chain optimization, freight forwarding, contract logistics, distribution and express, and road transport) on all continents. The company is present in 67 countries with offices and has a global network spanning 168 countries. GEODIS ranks first in France, sixth in Europe and seventh worldwide among logistics service providers. In 2022, Geodis had more than 40,000 employees and generated sales of € 8.4 billion.

Founded in 1971, trans-o-flex operates Germany’s largest temperature-controlled distribution network specializing in healthcare, handling both parcels and pallets. Trans-o-flex is headquartered in Germany and has recently expanded its activity in Austria, which offers opportunities for further development. Trans-o-flex employs around 2,000 people across 77 hubs and local agencies which enable the company to offer express logistics solutions throughout Germany.

A cross-border Dentons team from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin and Paris provided comprehensive advice to GEODIS on the complex transaction. GEODIS is a longstanding and good client of Dentons’ Paris office and the mandate came about through Paris-based partner Catherine Joffroy's long-standing relationship.

Advisors to GEODIS

Dentons (Düsseldorf/Frankfurt/Berlin): Dr. Michael Krömker (Partner, Lead), Dr. Tobias Bünten (Counsel), Tim Schinkel (Associate), Paul Sieminski (Associate, all Düsseldorf), Jeannette Meyer (Senior Associate), Mathieu Emonet (Senior Associate, all Corporate/M&A), Philipp Becker (Partner, W&I, alle Berlin), Dr. Dominik Thomer (Partner, Düsseldorf), Michael Graf (Partner, Frankfurt), Holger Hölkemeier (Senior Associate, Berlin, all Tax), Dr. Sascha Grosjean (Partner), Dr. Lukas Jäger (Senior Associate), Dr. Josef Tahmaz (Associate, all Employment), Dr. Florian Wiesner (Partner), Dr. Arne Karsten (Counsel), Dr. Paul Lemmen (Associate, all Competition, all Düsseldorf), Judith Aron (Partner), Sebastian von Haldenwang (Senior Associate), Maik Papiernick (Associate, alle Berlin, all Compliance), Dr. Christian Schefold (Partner, Berlin), Nico Winter (Senior Associate, Düsseldorf, both Data protection), Dr. Florian-Alexander Wesche (Partner), Sören Freudenstein (Associate, both Düsseldorf, both Regulatory), Dr. Christoph Blotenberg (Associate, Berlin, Real Estate) 

Dentons (Paris): Catherine Joffroy (Partner), Ralf Nitschke (Partner, both Corporate/M&A), Emmanuelle van den Broucke (Partner, Competition)

Main Geodis team involved in the project:

• Eric Boré, M&A/Corporate Legal Director at Geodis Legal & Insurance Department
• Alain Prezewozny, Head of Corporate Development at Geodis Finance Department 

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com