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LEADING ADVISORS IN TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS M&A

Lightning speed delivery, 24/7 order management, and real-time transparency. The demands of online shopping and e-commerce are outpacing Transport & Logistics companies’ capacity to adjust their own processes. Many are turning to acquisition strategies to stay ahead of the game. This ‘buy over make’ mentality creates the perfect context for major M&A opportunities, with new business models and innovative partnerships cropping up along the whole supply chain.

With our unmatchable global contacts and track record in the Transport & Logistics industry, IMAP advisors give you access to the smartest strategic opportunities, ahead of time, with the executional excellence to close the optimal deal.

We advise clients operating in:

Air Freight & Logistics

Contract Logistics

Ground Freight & Logistics

Marine/Water Freight & Logistics

Passenger Transportation Services

Warehousing

Industrial M&A Market Trends and Insights

2024 recorded 1,750 deals, marking a decline from 2,592 transactions in 2023 due to economic uncertainty.

The median transaction value in 2024 was €17M, aligning with the trend of mid-market acquisitions.

85% of completed transactions involved majority stake acquisitions, while 15% were minority deals, asset purchases, or spinoffs.

Geographical Market Trends

North America and Europe dominated M&A activity, contributing to 83% of total deal volume between 2019 and 2024.

The US (45%) led transaction volumes, followed by the UK (9%), China (4%), France (4%), and Germany (4%).

Cross-border transactions accounted for 30% of total activity, while 70% remained domestic.

Buyer Type and Investment Trends

Strategic buyers dominated the space, accounting for 80% of all transactions.

Financial buyers (20%) have maintained a steady presence, focusing on larger assets with an average deal size of €85M, compared to €17M for strategic buyers.

Private Equity (PE) activity remains robust, with 52% of European PE fundraising coming from the UK & Ireland in FY23.

Latest trends:

Industrial M&A Market Trends and Insights

The industrial sector remains a cornerstone of global M&A activity, recording over:

18,000 completed transactions between 2019 - 2024

combined reported value exceeding

€580 billion.

Key Investment Trends

Industrial M&A continues to evolve amid shifting economic conditions, geopolitical uncertainty, and rapid technological change. Although deal volumes have fluctuated, investor appetite, particularly within the mid-market, remains strong.

Impact of Macroeconomic Conditions

Higher interest rates and inflationary pressures contributed to a decline in total deal value, from:

€69B in 2023 to €57B in 2024.

Geopolitical instability has introduced caution among investors, leading to slower deal flow compared to previous years.

Shift Toward Mid-Market Transactions

Mid-sized transactions now dominate industrial M&A, reflecting investor focus on strategic growth opportunities and operational synergies that deliver faster value creation.