The international logistics specialist, Rhenus, is taking over 51 percent of the shares in the LBH Group with retrospective effect from 1 January 2024. As the LBH Group has almost 100 offices around the globe, it is one of the leading port agencies in the world. Thanks to the cooperation, the Rhenus Group is now able to act as a port agent in the rapidly growing Latin American region. Rhenus is aiming to extend the takeover to include 100 percent of the shares during the next few years, provided that the responsible authorities agree to this.
With the acquisition of 51 percent of the shares in the LBH Group, Rhenus is expanding its service portfolio in terms of products and geography. The global orientation of the LBH Group enables Rhenus to enter and cover the Latin American and African markets as an internationally oriented port agency. As part of the acquisition the international logistics specialist is taking over all the employees at the globally active maritime shipping agency. “We’re deliberately strengthening our shipping activities by integrating the portfolio of services provided by the LBH Group and we’re making full use of our potential in the growth market of Latin America,” says Thomas Maassen, the Managing Director of Rhenus Transport, explaining the move. The Rhenus Group and the LBH Group have been cooperating in a relationship of trust for many years. “We’re looking forward to successfully pressing ahead to develop our business together. Thanks to this step, our extremely competent partner, Rhenus, will become a permanent feature in our future orientation,” says Bert Lagendijk, the Managing Partner of the LBH Group. In order to implement further growth together, the two founders Jan and Bert Lagendijk will initially remain actively on board.
The Dutch brothers founded the LBH Group in Rotterdam in 1984. The company originally specialised in transporting coal, but quickly expanded its operations to
include the movement of different bulk commodities and it opened other business sites in 24 countries around the world – with a strong focus on the regions of Australia and Africa. In Latin America, the port agency has seven alliances and has offices in twelve countries, including Argentina, Brazil and Chile, among others. The individual branches have been combined under the LBH Group brand since 2008. The group mainly focuses on dry and liquid bulk commodities.
The port agency supports shipping and charter companies in all matters related to ship management. It also provides all-inclusive freight coordination as well as extensive project management and development services. Alongside its classic agency tasks, the LBH Group also takes on numerous control and quality assurance functions on behalf of and for the benefit of the owners of the cargo. The takeover strengthens Rhenus service portfolio in the port agency sector, which includes all the services associated with processing incoming and outgoing vessels – regardless of whether they are carrying bulk goods, liquid cargo, containers or general cargo.
