Vuna Partners Delivers on Deal to Acquire 80% of Logistics Leader 4PL Group
Press release
September 2020
Vuna Partners Delivers on Deal to Acquire 80% of Logistics Leader 4PL Group
ROSEBANK, Johannesburg, South Africa (September 2020) – Vuna Partners Fund I, the en commandite partnership managed by Vuna Partners Proprietary Limited (“Vuna Partners”) (collectively referred to as “Vuna Partners Fund” or “the Fund”), announces its acquisition of an 80% equity stake in 4PL Group Proprietary Limited (“4PL”), with the remaining 20% shareholding held by the management of 4PL Group.
Headquartered in Irene, Pretoria, 4PL Group is an integrated supply chain company with a national and international footprint, providing end-to-end logistics solutions that span specialised and bulk road, rail, sea and air freighting, import/export clearance and forwarding, crossborder services, warehousing, tracking and reporting technology. 4PL Group’s 260-strong team are responsible for the successful transportation of more than 240 000 tonnes of cargo per month, servicing over 450 clients with a fleet of owned and subcontracted vehicles.
The Fund is acquiring its equity stake from the Mergon Group, which has served as 4PL’s investment partner since the company was founded 13 years ago. “We enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Mergon under the stewardship of its Chief Operating Officer, Gauche Radley,” said Brendan Pearson, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO” of 4PL Group). “We are now embarking on the next chapter of 4PL’s journey together with Vuna Partners, with whom we anticipate a future of transformative, empowered growth, sustainable expansion into new markets and long-term mutual success.”
“4PL has reported consistent revenue and operating profit growth over the medium-term period, despite facing significant economic headwinds. The high quality of its earnings, impressive return on invested capital, and its experienced founding management team with strong capital allocation discipline, has made 4PL Group an attractive investment for the Fund. The enhanced empowerment credentials afforded by the Fund’s investment also advances 4PL Group’s transformation goals.”
First to take its place in the Fund’s investment portfolio, 4PL Group embodies the caliber of company with which Vuna Partners selectively aligns itself – one that boasts a best-of-breed management team, possesses a demonstrable track record, and which is strategically positioned to contribute to, and benefit from, the unique growth opportunities presented by the country and continent’s nuanced economic and developmental needs.
With 87 years of collective private equity experience across its executive and independent investment team, Vuna Partners is primed to navigate complex and challenging environments, unlock superior outcomes and deliver on a legacy of long-term value to the benefit of investors, the management and employees of investee companies, its strategic partners and the broader society.
