ID Logistics, an international contract logistics group, has announced the signature of a preliminary agreement to acquire CEPL, a French logistics provider specialising in automated solutions for retail order fulfilment.

With this acquisition, ID Logistics strengthens its offering in this business segment and becomes the leading French logistics provider in retail order fulfilment. The combined entity will leverage on 168 facilities in 14 countries, representing 3.1 million square meters in operation, with a workforce of 12,300 employees. The group is expected to record pro forma revenues in 2013 above €800 million. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of July 2013.

Hogan Lovells advised ID Logistics with a team led by Corporate partner Jean-Marc Franceschi, assisted by Thomas Saint-Loubert-Bié, as well as Olivier Fille-Lambie, partner, and Ariane Berthoud, senior associate, for the financing aspects, Pierre de Montalembert, partner, and Charles Saumon, senior associate, for the competition law aspects, and Bruno Knadjian, Counsel, for the tax aspects.

Hogan Lovells had already advised ID Logistics in relation to its IPO in 2012 on NYSE Euronext.

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