Czech investment firm PPF is contemplating the purchase of Packeta, the parent company of prominent Czech logistics firm Zásilkovna. PPF’s CEO, Jiří Šmejc, has stated that their interest lies in acquiring the entire company rather than a partial stake. In May, Packeta’s founders, Simona and Jaromír Kijonkovi, who currently hold 48.6% of Packeta’s shares, announced their intention to sell the company. Additional major shareholders include Notino, which owns nearly 21% of Packeta, while Lukáš Bílek, a former Zásilkovna programmer, and entrepreneur Martin Kukačka each hold a 10% stake.

Packeta has consistently reported operating and net profit, with revenue for 2022 experiencing a notable increase of 23% to 6.1 billion CZK. The number of shipments transported by the company rose by a quarter to almost 90 million last year. With over 15,000 pick-up points in four countries, Packeta aims to maintain double-digit revenue growth in the years to come.

Recently, PPF announced its acquisition of a 15% stake in the Polish firm InPost, which operates self-service lockers and logistics centers for online stores, primarily in Western Europe. With a current stake of 16.75%, PPF has become the second-largest shareholder in InPost, trailing only Advent International. The agreement includes an option for PPF to purchase an additional 15% of InPost shares from Advent International.

PPF CEO Šmejc believes that pick-up boxes represent the future of delivery and expresses confidence in InPost’s potential to replicate its success in Poland on Western markets.

Zásilkovna, founded in 2010, initially aimed to streamline the transportation of goods from e-commerce stores to customers. Over time, the company expanded its operations and now boasts a network of over 15,000 pick-up points in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Notably, Zásilkovna witnessed significant growth in the volume of shipments transported, nearing 90 million shipments in the previous year.

PPF, established by Petr Kellner, is an investment firm with diverse holdings in sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and real estate. The company has previously invested in logistics enterprises, including DHL Parcel, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post, in 2019.

Regarding future plans, Packeta’s founders expressed their desire to capitalize on the heightened investor interest and leverage their financial resources and expertise to fuel further growth and strengthen their market position. Expansion of the pick-up point network and investments in new technologies are pivotal components of their strategy to sustain growth in the years ahead.

PPF’s potential acquisition of Packeta underscores the firm’s ongoing interest in the logistics sector. With Packeta’s impressive revenue growth and consistently rising shipment volumes, the company is poised to maintain its upward trajectory by expanding its pick-up point network and embracing innovative technologies. If PPF secures the acquisition, it will emerge as a major player in the logistics industry, not only in Central Europe but also beyond.

Article by Prague Forum