North and south united
The pandemic also offers consolidation opportunities. The Copenhagen-based Scan Global Logistics Group is continuing its unabated shopping spree. The Contenosa Group is an interesting choice, also beyond the borders of its domestic Spanish market.
Since 2020 Denmark’s Scan Global Logistics Group (SGL Group), from Copenhagen, has continued with its ongoing international expansion strategy – irrespective of the current global trade flows. The group recently acquired the Grupo Contenosa in Spain, from its owner Augustin Rubio, a family-owned Spanish logistics services provider that was established in 1978 – no less than 43 years ago. The enterprise was a subsidiary of Naviera del Odiel de Contenedores.
The Grupo Contenosa is quite a multifaceted entity. It set out in the industry as a shipping agency for liner services to and from Spanish ports; in the meantime it has diversified very strongly over the years. Since 2006 the Grupo Contenosa has run its own automobile division, amongst other things; it is the exclusive representative for all CKD traffic for Volkswagen Logistics in Spain, amongst other clients. In 2013 it added another division, headquartered in Bilbao in the Basque Country, which focuses on project cargo and special logistics needs. It is apparent that the group has a strong network in the Spanish logistics market.
Looking across the ‘Big Pond’
The new Danish owners know what they’re doing. Despite the global pandemic Scan Global Logistics has recently expanded into new markets in Poland, Czechia, Mexico, Peru and Myanmar.
Its vision across the ‘Big Pond’ plays a key role. Thus SGL Group CEO Allan Melgaard said that “this latest acquisition of a subsidiary with international activities will help us to expand our network and our presence in Spain – as well as in Mexico too.” Naviomar, a logistics services provider for maritime, air and multimodal services, is Contenosa’s international business arm. It operates in Barcelona, Bilbao – and Mexico.
