sennder Acquires C.H. Robinson’s European Surface Transportation Operations
sennder Technologies GmbH ("sennder"), the leading digital road freight forwarder in Europe, has announced the acquisition of the European Surface Transportation (EST) operations of C.H. Robinson, one of the world’s largest logistics providers. C.H. Robinson manages USD 22 billion in freight annually and handles 20 million shipments worldwide.

sennder Technologies GmbH ("sennder"), the leading digital road freight forwarder in Europe, has announced the acquisition of the European Surface Transportation (EST) operations of C.H. Robinson, one of the world’s largest logistics providers. C.H. Robinson manages USD 22 billion in freight annually and handles 20 million shipments worldwide.
This strategic acquisition will integrate EST into sennder, offering substantial growth potential for the European road freight industry. It will enhance network density and technological capabilities, and significantly support decarbonization efforts. The combined entity will become a Top 5 Full Truck Load (FTL) provider in Europe, boasting a combined revenue of EUR 1.4 billion and a workforce of 1,700 across more than 20 European locations. This move aligns with sennder’s mission to create an efficient and sustainable road freight network, essential for the European economy.
David Nothacker, CEO of sennder, highlighted the importance of this acquisition in advancing sennder’s strategic goals. “This acquisition will be pivotal in advancing sennder’s roadmap. With its vision to accelerate global trade to deliver products and goods that drive the world’s economy, C.H. Robinson aligns strongly with sennder’s mission and values to create an efficient and sustainable road freight network in Europe. sennOS, the technological powerhouse behind sennder, requires scale and volume density to unlock its full potential. This M&A transaction gives us that scale,” Nothacker said. He further added that the integration of the EST team from C.H. Robinson will bring substantial growth and operational scale, enhancing sennder's European expansion in road freight and increasing network density and digital capabilities.
David Bozeman, President and CEO of C.H. Robinson, expressed confidence in the decision, stating, “I am convinced that sennder will be a great home for the EST business and will provide good continuity of service to EST customers. We are confident in this strategic decision to drive more focus in our organization and pleased to see the potential for growth and opportunity that this transition brings for the EST team. To win, we need to focus on what sets us apart and build upon our competitive advantages.” He emphasized the importance of this transition for the long-term success of their business, employees, and the value they offer their customers and carriers.
The EST unit is recognized as one of the leading FTL providers in Europe, bringing over 30 years of industry expertise. The acquisition will see over 6,500 shippers and more than 15,000 carriers join the sennder network. Both sennder and C.H. Robinson are committed to ensuring a seamless transition that maintains high service standards for all customers and employees.
This acquisition allows sennder to enhance and broaden its service offerings, furthering its mission to create a sustainable and efficient road freight network in Europe. The combined business will benefit from increased network density and enhanced data capabilities. sennder’s proprietary platform, sennOS, will provide EST customers with access to advanced technology, improving efficiency in load management, and offering full control and visibility over trucking operations. Shippers will benefit from better utilization, fewer empty kilometers, faster payments, and reduced administrative workload.
The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2024, pending the completion of corporate structuring of the EST business unit, mandatory employee consultations, and applicable merger control proceedings. sennder was advised by Evercore on the financial side and Taylor Wessing on the legal side. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
sennder is a leading digital road freight forwarder in Europe, offering shippers access to a connected fleet of thousands of trucks. The company manages over 40,000 trucks across Europe and has a team of over 1,000 employees. By leveraging its proprietary technology, sennder aims to revolutionize the logistics industry with enhanced transparency, efficiency, and sustainability. The company is supported by investors like Baillie Gifford, Accel, HV Capital, and Lakestar, as well as industry experts such as Poste Italiane and Scania.
C.H. Robinson is a global logistics leader, trusted by over 90,000 customers and 450,000 contract carriers to manage USD 22 billion in freight annually. With a focus on sustainable supply chains, C.H. Robinson continues to innovate and provide tailored logistics solutions worldwide. For more information, visit chrobinson.com (Nasdaq: CHRW).