Equistone Partners Europe sells IN tIME to South Africa’s Super Group

Funds managed by Equistone Partners Europe Limited ("Equistone") have sold their majority holding in IN tIME Express Logistik GmbH ("In Time") to Super Group Limited ("Super Group"). IN tIME, with its head office in Hanover, is one of the leading suppliers of direct express shipments across Europe. Super Group is a South African international logistics business and offers solutions for supply chain management.

“Since acquiring IN tIME we have invested in positioning the business for future growth, for example by strengthening the organisational structure of the company, the expansion of the decentralised branch network, and through the acquisition of LTE Transport GmbH. By entering the express air cargo business, creating an internet sales platform and through a SME-client initiative we were able to further expand the strong market position of IN tIME and its product offering. We wish the Directors, Torsten Prelle and Gerd Röttger, their management team and the employees continued success in the future,” commented Michael H. Bork, Managing Director, Equistone.

Equistone took a majority stake in IN tIME following a secondary buyout in September 2011. Since then, IN tIME’s annual turnover has increased from 105 million Euros (2010) with approximately 400 employees to 140 million (2014) with approximately 550 employees. Most recently, clear gains have been achieved by IN tIME for internet-based sales, the special cargo market and the smaller customer business. In addition, the company was able to develop new business areas in pharmaceutical logistics, complying with the EU Good Distribution Practice Guideline.

“Equistone provided the impetus for our growth and helped set the course for the future,” said Torsten Prelle, Director of IN tIME. “With Equistone’s help we have gained a broader positioning, not least through the expansion of the branch network and our base of subcontractors. On behalf of our whole team I would like to thank Equistone for what has been a successful collaboration,” adds Gerd Röttger, Director of IN tIME.

Michael H. Bork, Oskar Schilcher and Alexis Milkovic were responsible for the transaction for Equistone. Equistone was advised on the transaction by Lincoln International (M&A), P+P (Legal), KPMG (Financial & Tax) and PWC (Commercial Vendor Due Diligence).

The transaction should complete in the autumn after approval by the central bank of South Africa.