Panalpina extends perishables network to South Africa, acquiring Skyservices


Following last month’s acquisition in Argentina, Panalpina is now expanding its Perishables Network to South Africa. The company is acquiring a majority stake in perishables specialist Skyservices. With the latest acquisition, Panalpina sets foot in a strategic market with its own presence in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The move will enable end-to-end solutions for perishables from South Africa to Europe, the Middle East, Far East and the USA.

Stefan Karlen, CEO of Panalpina. “The acquisition of Skyservices allows us to rapidly become a major player in South Africa’s perishables market. The majority of the company’s export volumes go to London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, where we have a strong perishables expertise and can therefore offer end-to-end solutions to customers. Given the strategic role that South Africa plays for the global trade of perishables today and tomorrow, it is only logical that we establish our own presence there and further strengthen the ever-growing Panalpina Perishables Network.”

Skyservices started operations in May 2000 and is fully owned by Bernd Julicher, Frik van Rooyen and Jaco van Zijverden. Julicher will continue to lead the company’s 52 employees in Johannesburg and Cape Town as managing director. Skyservices runs a 2,000 sq m warehouse inside O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, and a purpose-built, new 1,700 sq m warehouse just outside Cape Town International Airport. Both companies have agreed not to disclose any financial details of the deal.

Source: Panalpina