VERVAEKE Acquires Transports Bertout to Strengthen French Market Presence

VERVAEKE, a leading tank transport company active in the chemical, petroleum, and gas industries, has acquired Transports Bertout, a French transport firm based in Nesle specializing in hazardous goods. The acquisition, announced on April 28, 2026, aligns with VERVAEKE’s strategic objective to deepen its presence in the French market and broaden its service offerings.

While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, VERVAEKE assumes full ownership of Transports Bertout. The existing operations of Bertout will continue without interruption, with owner-manager Francis Bertout remaining involved during the initial integration phase to ensure a smooth transition.

Transports Bertout operates a fleet of 20 trucks powered entirely by biofuel (B100), achieving a CO₂ emissions reduction of up to 60%. This complements VERVAEKE’s sustainability initiatives, which include investments in alternative propulsion technologies such as hydrogen. Following the acquisition, VERVAEKE reports consolidated revenues of €175 million and manages a fleet exceeding 800 trucks, over 1,100 tankers, and more than 900 tank containers.

VERVAEKE’s CEO, Frédéric Derumeaux, highlights the strategic fit: “This acquisition is a perfect match between two companies that place a strong emphasis on quality. Bertout shares our expertise in the transport of hazardous materials, operates high-quality and modern equipment, and relies on experienced drivers from the region.” He adds that the deal strengthens VERVAEKE’s capacity in France and signals a commitment to customers.

Derumeaux also points to Bertout’s location near the future inland port of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal as a significant advantage. “It creates opportunities to further expand our service portfolio and develop intermodal logistics solutions,” he says, indicating plans to leverage multimodal transport capabilities.

Transports Bertout specializes in transporting dangerous goods, focusing on chemical, petroleum, and gas product segments—areas that closely align with VERVAEKE’s core operations. The acquisition thus represents a logical extension of VERVAEKE’s existing services and supports cross-selling opportunities to a broader client base.

Francis Bertout emphasizes the importance of continuity for customers: “By joining VERVAEKE, we are deliberately choosing a strong industrial group that shares our values and will safeguard the long-term future of our company, our employees, and our activities.”

The transaction is expected to generate operational synergies through fleet optimization, shared maintenance resources, and consolidated administrative functions. Integration challenges include aligning corporate cultures and retaining key personnel during the transition.

In the broader market context, this acquisition strengthens VERVAEKE’s competitive position in the French hazardous goods transport sector, which is experiencing consolidation and increased demand for sustainable logistics solutions. Competitors may respond with similar acquisitions or investments in greener fleets and intermodal capabilities.

Looking ahead, VERVAEKE plans to integrate Bertout’s operations fully while maintaining service quality and exploring new logistics solutions enabled by the strategic location near the Seine-Nord Europe Canal. The acquisition underscores VERVAEKE’s commitment to sustainable growth and market expansion in Europe.