A.P. MOLLER Capital, an infrastructure fund manager affiliated with Denmark’s A.P. Moller Holding, the parent of shipping and logistics company A.P. Moller-Maersk, has accomplished its acquisition of a 40% stake in AC Logistics Holdings Corp., the logistics arm of Ayala Corp.
In a joint statement dated July 7, the businesses said the investment was accomplished through EMIF II Holding III B.V. after the success of all closing conditions, including merger control clearances.
The businesses said the partnership is anticipated to support AC Logistics’ expansion by increasing its nationwide capability, broadening its service offerings, strengthening operations, and adopting international operating practices.
Founded in 2021, AC Logistics provides supply chain services, including cold chain management, freight forwarding, national distribution, and contract logistics.
The corporate operates a nationwide network of distribution centers and maintains a fleet of temperature-controlled trucks and other transport assets, supported by an agent network.
“This partnership reflects Ayala’s long-standing strategy of working with world-class corporations to scale our businesses, strengthen execution, and serve customers higher,” Ayala President and Chief Executive Officer Cezar P. Consing said.
A.P. Moller Capital Senior Partner Lars Reno Jakobsen said the firm sees growing demand for more integrated and resilient supply chains within the Philippines and expects the partnership to support AC Logistics’ long-term expansion.
Earlier this 12 months, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) approved the transaction between Ayala and EMIF II Holding III B.V., saying it was unlikely to substantially lessen competition within the freight and logistics sector.
The PCC said the domestic and international freight forwarding markets remain highly fragmented, with customers typically engaging multiple service providers.
Individually, AC Logistics earlier accomplished its acquisition of an 84% stake in Glacier Megafridge, Inc. (GMI), expanding its cold chain business.
The acquisition builds on the prevailing partnership between AC Logistics and GMI through their three way partnership, GMAC Logitech Refrigeration Corp., which operates a chilly storage facility in Cagayan de Oro and is expanding one other in Davao.
AC Logistics said it plans to integrate GMI into its network, initially specializing in aligning operations and capturing operational synergies.
“The completion of those transactions marks a transformative step in constructing a number one integrated logistics platform within the Philippines,” AC Logistics President and Chief Executive Officer Erry Hardianto said.
“Along with A.P. Moller Capital and GMI, we’re augmenting our scale, enhancing our capabilities, and expanding our reach across the country. These enable us to offer customers with seamless access to a more comprehensive and interconnected network of logistics nodes across the Philippines,” he added.
On Wednesday, shares of Ayala Corp. fell 0.37%, or P1.80, to shut at P485. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno