The French group Walden has been for sale for several months. In March, Bloomberg thought that DHL was at the longest end, but now the Japanese group Yusen Logistics announces that it has begun exclusive conversations to take over Walden’s health branch.
The conversations do not relate to all Walden activities, but only to the activities in the health sector called Walden Health. This is the historical activity of the group founded in 1951, but also the most important activity, since Walden Health is responsible for three -quarters of the group’s turnover. According to estimates, Walden would have around 6,000 people worldwide.
In Belgium, the activities of the health branch represent more than 80 % of the activity, through companies Movianto Belgium, Ivemar, Eurotranspharma Belgium, CSP Benelux and Transpharma International. Walden has approximately 40,000 m² of health care warehouses in our country, mainly in Erembodegem (30,000 m²) and Houdeng-Goegnies (10,600 m²). Yusen Logistics continues to strengthen its position in health logistics: it operates the GSK distribution center in Gembloux and also manages its own Healthcare Center in Antwerp. In 2020, Yusen also took over the Pierre group, which specializes in the logistics of pharmaceutical products.
“We are proud of the road that Walden has traveled to become a reliable partner in the field of health care logistics throughout Europe,” said Stéphane Baudry, chairman of the Walden group and grandson of Marcel Baudry, founder of Walden. “Thanks to the Yusen Logistics group, Walden Health becomes a real global player who can offer its customers end-to-end services, supported by a strong innovative DNA that is aimed at improving patient care and a non-reversing dedication to quality. I look forward to the strong cultural and strategic complementarity of both organizations.”
Walden will continue his activities in the field of express transport (where it owns Ciblex, which is active in Belgium with around 60 employees) and digital solutions.
