Software company for logistics and transportation VOICT joins forces with BlueRock TMS. BlueRock acquires a majority stake in Ede-based VOICT. Hogenhouck m&a advised the owner of VOICT in this transaction.
Smart Transportation Management Systems
TMS vendor VOICT is a Dutch organization with a SaaS solution for last-mile distribution in e-commerce and pharmaceuticals. Companies such as Brocacef, Coolblue, PostNL Extra@Home and Alliance Healthcare use VOICT’s software.
BlueRock TMS is a provider of transportation management systems (TMS) for shippers, logistics service providers and parcel carriers in more than 30 countries, also based in the Netherlands. With customers such as Heineken, Unilever, Bleckmann, Fiege, Schenker and DPD, BlueRock TMS is among the fifteen leading TMS vendors in the world.
For now, VOICT will continue to operate independently under the leadership of CEO and founder Gert van Oel.
Integrated solutions for transportation
VOICT is the developer of DireXtion, the distribution management system for transportation & logistics. This product supports companies such as Brocacef, PostNL Extra@Home and Coolblue with their daily operations in the planning and execution phase, including track & trace of the entire flow of goods.
The joining of forces gives BlueRock TMS access to VOICT’s expertise in last-mile distribution in e-commerce and pharmaceuticals. VOICT’s partnership with BlueRock TMS gives it the opportunity to realize its international growth ambitions.
According to CEOs Wouter Lammerse of BlueRock TMS and Gert van Oel of VOICT, the two companies are fully complementary to each other. “Together we can build one large integrated product portfolio that will allow us to provide our customers with even better smart transportation software.”
Buy-and-build strategy
The acquisition of VOICT is the first step in the implementation of BlueRock TMS’s international buy-and-build strategy. Wouter Lammers, CEO of BlueRock TMS: “In recent years we have grown organically by 35 to 40 percent per year. If we want to become the global market leader, that is not enough. That’s why we want to combine our organic growth with selective acquisitions. The majority stake in VOICT is the first achievement”.
The acquisition by BlueRock TMS gives VOICT access to the knowledge and know-how needed to capitalize on growth opportunities outside the Netherlands. Gert van Oel of VOICT: “The Netherlands leads the way in last-mile distribution of medicines. Also in other European countries we see home delivery of medicines and other devices increasing. With our TMS solution DireXtion we can distribute medicines temperature controlled in accordance with the GDP (Good Distribution Practice) guidelines of the RIVM and the European Community.”
Combination is the basis for further growth
Wouter Lammerse, founder and CEO of BlueRock TMS, is looking forward to working with VOICT. “We offer a TMS platform that supports transportation operations at the operational, tactical and strategic levels. With VOICT, we have the technical and functional knowledge to develop state-of-the-art last mile solutions. What we have in common with VOICT is that we try to fully put ourselves in our customers’ shoes. We keep asking until we have uncovered their real need.”
Gert van Oel, founder of VOICT, is looking forward to working with BlueRock TMS. “We have a great product that fits perfectly within BlueRock TMS’s portfolio. BlueRock’s international contacts make it possible for us to grow further. We are excited about this new chapter in our existence.”
Step-by-step integration
For now, VOICT will continue to operate under its own name and under Van Oel’s leadership from its existing office in Ede. Over the next year, the companies will begin the step-by-step integration of the products and organizations. In the future, both companies will operate jointly under the BlueRock TMS brand name.
