Frigoscandia Distribution (Acquired by Norway Post 2005)

Note: This company is no longer trading as a separate enterprise.

November - Norway Post entered into an agreement to acquire Frigoscandia. Frigoscandia had a strong Nordic position within the market for temperature-controlled third-party logistics and transport, and its acquisition represented an important contribution to Norway Post’s continued development of its logistics operations in the Nordic countries.

Norway Post acquired 100 per cent of shares in the company. The seller was Scandinavian funds manager Triton and the management of Frigoscandia. Agreement had been reached subject to approval by the competition authorities in Norway and Sweden.

Since it was established in 1950, Frigoscandia had been a market leader within the field of temperature-controlled logistics in the Nordic countries, albeit with limited operations in Norway. The company provided third-party logistics services, international and Nordic transport, as well as outsourcing services for a large part of its customers' supply chains. The company recorded sales of SEK2bn (€190m) in 2004 and its customers included major Nordic companies, largely concentrated in the food and groceries industry.

The acquisition of Frigoscandia strengthened Norway Post’s position in the logistics market. The market for temperature-controlled logistics services was growing strongly in the Nordic countries. Achieving a strong position in respect of temperature-regulated transport solutions strengthened Norway Post’s opportunities for growth within general and bulk cargo and third-party logistics services.

Frigoscandia provides integrated logistics services for temperature controlled food manufacturers and producers throughout Europe.  The company initially started in Sweden but soon expanded to cover the entire Nordic region and further a field into other major European markets. The company has undergone a number of changes recently, including its ownership. 

In early 2002 Prologis, the most recent parent, announced that it intended to withdraw from parts of the temperature controlled business. The private equity investment firm Triton together with the Management acquired Frigoscandia Distribution's activities in the Nordic countries together with the trademark Frigoscandia from ProLogis.