Hamburg-based logistics firm Fr. Meyer’s Sohn (FMS) has finalized the acquisition of South African freight forwarding company GAC Laser International Logistics and its affiliated businesses. The move marks a strategic expansion of FMS’s footprint on the African continent.
Established in 2007, GAC Laser offers a wide array of logistics services, including multimodal freight forwarding, warehousing, road transport, and project logistics. The company operates from key South African logistics hubs such as Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
Boost in service delivery
According to a statement from FMS, the acquisition brings 246 new employees into its global workforce. Heiko Voigt, Managing Director of FMS, described the deal as a critical step in advancing the company’s Africa growth strategy, adding that the expanded team will play a vital role in enhancing service delivery and exploring new market opportunities.
GAC Laser’s operations will be rebranded as Fr. Meyer’s Sohn South Africa and will remain under the leadership of Simon Hayes and the existing management team. They will be responsible for day-to-day operations while also facilitating the integration of the company into the FMS global logistics network.
The acquisition reflects FMS’s commitment to strengthening its international presence and investing in emerging markets. Simon Hayes expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing that joining the FMS network would significantly enhance the company’s capabilities. He noted that access to FMS’s global platforms and infrastructure would allow them to offer expanded services and greater value to their customers. Overall, the acquisition positions FMS to better serve African markets and reinforces its long-term vision of becoming a more globally integrated logistics provider.