"Pragma will form part of the recently established Integration Services division, which is extending the company's service offering beyond the traditional transport and warehousing services to include procurement, operations planning and international logistics management," says Cobus Rossouw, CEO of the Imperial Logistics Integration Services.
The acquisition strengthens the industrial services capabilities in physical asset management services of Imperial. One of its core competencies is the management of complex operations with its own high-value physical assets or those of its customers. Supply chain and logistics assets are applied to support customer-centred service excellence. The company is continuously pursuing opportunities to enhance its demonstrated position as one of Southern Africa's largest logistics and supply chain management service provider. By partnering with Pragma, it obtains access to a world-class physical asset management service, ie the Asset Care Centre Service.
"Pragma has recently embarked on an international growth strategy with the aim to increase market share through the establishment of global networks and partnerships," says Adriaan Scheeres, CEO, Pragma Holdings. "Imperial Logistics is well-known for its continuous improvement and value creating investments. Being a dominant player in the African physical asset management industry, our partnership with them is an exciting and strategic development.
“With significant synergies between ourselves, the deal brings numerous opportunities to strengthen our local presence across a number of industries, whilst it enables us to invest in various international projects currently underway," he says.
The investment by Imperial Logistics deepens the Imperial group's involvement in Pragma. Imperial's Black Economic Empowerment partner, Ukhamba Holdings (47% held by Imperial Holdings) last year acquired a 50% interest in Pragma Africa, the division in Pragma, which focuses on the group's South African operations.
