IMAP is pleased to announce that International Road Ferry (“IRF”), a leading road freight forwarder providing services between Western Europe and Great Britain, has been acquired by Culina Group Limited.

Founded in 1995, IRF specializes in unaccompanied transport between Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. It has offices both in the Netherlands, in Rotterdam and  Grubbenvorst (Venlo), as well as in Great Britain in Felixstowe and Thetford. The company has one of the largest trailer fleets in the Netherlands, including 345 curtain sided trailers and executes approximately 100 Channel crossings per day. It also has long-lasting relationships with third party charter companies ensuring capacity and quality.

Culina Group Limited (“Culina”), part of the Müller Group and owner of various brands such as Eddie Stobart Group, is the market leading provider of FMCG logistics services in Great Britain and Ireland. Culina offers warehousing, distribution, and contract packing of ambient and chilled foods & drinks. Currently, the group employs 22,000 people, operates a fleet of more than 5,500 trucks and realizes a revenue of more than £2.2 million. 

The sales process of IRF was initiated for strategic growth reasons as well as to capitalize on the favourable market conditions and outlook following the growth in demand for transport between Western Europe and Great Britain. Demand has also increased for companies specialized in the handling of the more complex customs procedures resulting from the Brexit. IRF is highly experienced in this field and has proven over the last year that they have a strong competitive advantage with their long-standing relations with local customs offices and their ability to handle customs procedures hassle-free. Culina has significantly strengthened its position in the European Logistics sector with the acquisition of IRF as the services of both companies are complementary, while both organisations are strong with well-earned reputations in the industry.