DB Schenker’s Future Comes Down to Two-firm Bidding War

German logistics giant DB Schenker is reportedly commanding a hefty price tag.

Denmark-based freight forwarder DSV and a private equity consortium led by CVC Capital Partners put in individual bids to acquire the company from European railway Deutsche Bahn for 14 billion euros ($15.6 billion), according to separate reports from Bloomberg and Reuters.

More from Sourcing Journal

The CVC-led group also simultaneously submitted an offer of as much as 16 billion euros ($17.9 billion) that would include 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion) from the German government. That investment would give the government a roughly 25 percent stake in DB Schenker.

Deutsche Bahn is currently evaluating both final offers and needs to discuss CVC’s proposal with the government, according to both reports. A decision expected in the coming weeks, according to Reuters.

“The sales process for DB Schenker is confidential,” a representative from Deutsche Bahn told Sourcing Journal. “The most important criterion remains that a sale must be economically advantageous for Deutsche Bahn.”

The representative would not comment on bidders, details of discussions or the amount of the bids, but said DB would provide information of any decisions “in due course.”

Sourcing Journal reached out to DSV. CVC would not comment on the matter.

Deutsche Bahn first unveiled that DB Schenker was officially up for sale in December 2023 after spending a year considering options for the rail company. The sale is largely to help the transportation firm cut debt, the company has previously stated. Additionally, proceeds would help Deutsche Bahn focus more on the core rail business and help it modernize its domestic railroad business.

“Our goal is to serve the climate, people and the economy by substantially increasing the cargo and passenger volumes handled by eco-friendly rail services,” Deutsche Bahn said last December amid the sale announcement.

DB Schenker reported a 7 percent sales decline to 9.4 billion euros ($10.5 billion) in the first half of 2024, experiencing some similar demand problems that have befallen major logistics players during the global freight recession that has lasted since late 2022.

The company generated operating profit of 520 million euros ($582 million) in the half, down 17 percent from the year prior. But despite DB Schenker’s profitability—making it the best forming unit for Deutsche Bahn—the parent company’s wider problems make offloading the segment a priority.