Kühne+Nagel acquires majority stake in IMC Logistics

Kühne+Nagel acquires the majority stake in IMC Logistics (IMC), a leading provider of intermodal inland logistics in the USA. As both companies announced, Kühne+Nagel will take over 51% of the privately held company. IMC specializes in comprehensive intermodal transport solutions from seaports on the US coasts and rail hubs to customer locations inland.

(Schindellegi/Collierville) With this acquisition, Kühne+Nagel gains access to one of the most significant logistics networks in North America and ensures flexible transport solutions in times of increasing supply chain disruptions. The IMC brand will be retained.

IMC is headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee, and has over 40 years of experience in providing intermodal solutions for ocean freight in the USA. Kühne+Nagel and IMC are long-standing partners. IMC’s national network includes 49 locations with strategic presence at key US seaports and rail transport hubs. The company handles 2 million standard containers in intermodal freight transport annually. With around 1,700 employees and an extensive network of independent contractors, IMC generated approximately USD 800 million in revenue in 2023.

Dr. Jörg Wolle, Chairman of the Board of Kühne+Nagel International AG, commented: “Asia and North America are the key growth markets for our business. With the strategic combination of organic growth and complementary acquisitions, we have established a leading position there that we aim to further expand. We prefer partnerships where we have successfully collaborated for many years, as in the acquisition of Apex. This reduces the risk of an acquisition, creates quick success, and deepens the already successful collaboration. With the acquisition of the majority stake in IMC, we are taking another significant step in our strategy. This further strengthens our leading position in North America for our customers and partners, especially the shipping companies.”

Significant expansion of the service portfolio

Stefan Paul, CEO of Kühne+Nagel International AG, says: “International sea transport is a highly complex business with many interfaces and stakeholders, where US goods flows are of central importance. IMC’s service portfolio significantly expands our offering and allows us to develop and provide even more attractive services for the value chains of our ocean freight customers.”

Mark H. George, Chairman and Founder of IMC Logistics, adds: “We are excited to continue successfully developing our family business together with Kühne+Nagel, one of the world’s leading logistics providers. Our decades of expertise in US inland logistics combined with Kühne+Nagel’s global reach creates significant added value for our customers and opens new career opportunities for our employees.”

Completion of the transaction expected by the end of Q1/2025

The completion of the transaction is expected at the beginning of the first quarter of 2025. Both parties have agreed to keep further details of the transaction confidential at this time. The acquisition is subject to the usual contractual closing conditions, including approval by the relevant competition authorities.

Photo/Graphic: © Kühne+Nagel