Simon Hegele achieves new milestones during EMZ’s holding period:
- Entered the Pharma segment in addition to its existing Healthcare, Industry & Retail divisions
- Completed four add-on acquisitions, further expanding its international presence
- The 2021 succession plan initiated by Dieter Hegele and the management team has now been successfully finalized
- This transaction marks EMZ’s fourth exit from the Munich office since its inception
EMZ Partners (“EMZ”), a leading European investment firm, along with the management of Simon Hegele Group (“Simon Hegele” or “the Group”), has entered into a sale and purchase agreement to transfer 100% of the shares in Simon Hegele to Nippon Express Holdings, the listed Japanese parent company of NX Group (“Nippon Express” or “NX Group”).
Simon Hegele is a prominent provider of contract logistics solutions within the Healthcare, Pharma, and Industry & Retail sectors. With a global footprint of 50 locations, the Group caters to a blue-chip customer base, deeply integrated into their clients’ value chains.
In 2021, EMZ structured a management-centric transaction alongside Dieter Hegele and the management team, marking the first phase of a succession plan that allowed management to acquire significant ownership in the Group. Since then, the Group has thrived, achieving organic growth, particularly in the Healthcare segment, and entering the highly attractive Pharma market. This growth was complemented inorganically by several add-on acquisitions. The sale to Nippon Express not only completes the succession from the Hegele family but also enables Simon Hegele to capitalize on synergies with Nippon Express while maintaining its existing organizational structure and leadership team.
Stefan Ulrich, CEO of Simon Hegele Group, said, “We highly value the partnership with EMZ, which has enabled us to reach significant milestones over the last three years. This foundation will support our continued growth and international expansion as part of the NX Group in the future.”
Klaus Maurer, Senior Partner at EMZ, added, “Our investment in Simon Hegele, and our collaboration with Dieter Hegele, Stefan Ulrich, and the broader management team, exemplifies our strategy of investing alongside committed, visionary managers. We are deeply grateful for the successful partnership over the last few years and wish the team the best in their new chapter with Nippon Express.”
The agreement was signed on September 30, 2024, and is subject to standard regulatory approvals.
EMZ and Simon Hegele were advised by Lincoln International (M&A), Latham & Watkins, Seitz (Legal), Deloitte (Financial & Tax), and ERM (ESG).
About the Simon Hegele Group
The Simon Hegele Group is one of the most innovative service providers in the field of complex supply chain processes. For years, the principles of “Logistics Thought Ahead” and “We Make Healthcare Work” have driven the Group’s continued development. With more than 50 locations worldwide (in Europe, the USA, South America, Asia/Singapore, and Australia), Simon Hegele provides highly specialized value-added services tailored to the needs of customers in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, industrial, and retail sectors. Learn more at www.simon-hegele.com.
About the NX Group
The NX Group is a Japan-based global logistics provider with a strong global network spanning more than 50 countries. The company offers air freight, ocean freight, heavy lift transportation, warehousing and distribution handling, logistics design, IT services, truck charter services and relocation services. For more information, please visit www.nipponexpress-holdings.com.
