Grant Thornton advises the De Well Group on the acquisition of NAVIS AG
Hamburg/Düsseldorf, 3 June 2026
On 11 May 2026, the international De Well Group agreed to acquire the Hamburg freight forwarding company NAVIS AG, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. The acquisition supports the De Well Group’s vision to connect its European activities more closely with its existing operations in China, Asia Pacific, and North America. The combination of the two companies is designed to provide customers with broader access to international transport and logistics solutions while creating a platform that combines global reach with strong regional expertise.
An interdisciplinary team from Grant Thornton Germany, led by Alex Refec (financial advisory) and Dr. Stefan Hahn and Julian Tolksdorf (tax advisory), provided advice on the transaction. The services provided included financial and tax due diligence as well as advice on drafting the purchase agreement with respect to financial and tax matters.
The De Well Group is an international logistics and supply chain service provider with headquarters in both Los Angeles and Shanghai. Founded in 1992, the company offers integrated end-to-end solutions in the areas of ocean logistics, air logistics, e-commerce logistics, fulfilment, land transport and contract logistics.
NAVIS AG has established itself over decades as a trusted partner in international freight forwarding and logistics. The company operates through an international partner network for industrial and medium-sized customers in the areas of sea freight, air freight, land transport, project logistics, warehouse logistics and customs services. With offices in Germany, Belgium (Antwerp) and Spain (Barcelona), the company maintains a strong operational presence along key European trade and transport corridors.
Contact
Corporate Communications Grant Thornton Germany
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