News

ATC signs agreement to be acquired by global logistics operator Arvato

Press Release

Date 26/11/2024

ATC Computer Transport & Logistics, a tech-driven Irish company providing highly specialised transport, logistics, and technical services to hyperscale data centre operators, high-tech freight forwarders, and original equipment manufacturers worldwide, has been acquired by Arvato, a leading global 3PL service provider specializing in supply chain management and e-commerce solutions and subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. The figure relating to the acquisition is not being disclosed and the deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals in Ireland.

Headquartered in Dublin, ATC has a footprint across Ireland, Europe and New Zealand, with major offices in Amsterdam, Frankfurt and London. Founded 45 years ago by Alan and Patricia Young and now led by their son Keith Young, ATC now employs over 280 people from over 31 nationalities, with plans to increase headcount to 300 by 2026, and add two further international offices. There are currently 40 open positions at the company.

Arvato offers handling services for the entire supply chain, with a keen focus on e-commerce, omnichannel distribution, classic logistics and transport solutions. In 2023, Arvato employed over 17,000 team members across 90+ locations worldwide, generating a revenue of €2.5 billion.

ATC has had a decades long working relationship with Arvato and by joining forces, this powerful partnership will fulfil evolving client needs, drive growth and create a range of collaborative possibilities that will ensure the overall business remains at the forefront of advancements in the domestic and international logistics sector.

ATC, which will retain its brand name, will be integrated into Arvato as a standalone complimentary service to the wider business. Keith Young will continue to lead the ATC team and will also join Arvato’s international management team.

Earlier this year, ATC unveiled a landmark investment of €22.5 million over five years to support its companywide ‘Driving Green Strategy’ including the ongoing transition of its HGV fleet from traditional combustion engines to battery-electric power. The announcement, which was one of Ireland’s most significant private investments in a zero tailpipe emission transportation fleet, positions the business as a global leader in the Green Logistics sector. It is also an important milestone in ATC’s ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2030.

Keith Young, Managing Director of ATC, says:

“This announcement marks a significant milestone in our growth journey, and aligns perfectly with our core values of sustainability, a people-first approach, and a strong commitment to cultivating a positive company culture. Our team has always been at the heart of our success, and I’m delighted that I will continue to work alongside them as we build on everything we’ve already achieved together. We will continue to invest in our people, because it is their passion and dedication that will fuel our success as we navigate this next chapter.

We have ambitious plans for the future, and this acquisition will help accelerate our progress. With 40 open roles currently available, we are focused on continuing to attract top talent who share our passion for excellence. This is a time of tremendous opportunity, and I am confident that, with the continued dedication of our current team and the fresh perspectives Arvato will bring, we will achieve remarkable success.  I’m looking forward to the many exciting opportunities ahead.”

Mitat Aydindag, President TECH at Arvato, says:

‘An important step in a rapidly growing market.’

‘The planned acquisition of ATC Computer Transport & Logistics is a significant milestone in our strategy to develop new growth areas. Our joint portfolio will enable us to offer more comprehensive and innovative services to our customers worldwide. With the combination of our global expertise and the strong network of ATC Computer Transport & Logistics, we are strengthening our position in a dynamic market segment.’

Advisers to ATC during the process included John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner, Mazars.

Insights from Our Managing Director, Keith Young, on the Enterprise Ireland Leadership 4 Growth Programme

Recently, we sat down with Keith to learn more about the Enterprise Ireland Leadership 4 Growth programme that he completed. We explored how this programme has influenced ATC Computer Logistics & Transport as a business and his management style.  

Tell us about the Leadership 4 Growth programme? 

Sure, Enterprise Ireland runs the Leadership 4 Growth programme for CEOs of growing companies, It equips them with the leadership skills and strategic insight necessary to scale their businesses both domestically and internationally. The programme offers a comprehensive blend of workshops, coaching, experiential learning, and invaluable networking opportunities that is backed by serious academic rigour delivered by the IESE business school in Barcelona. 

Why did you decide to participate in the Leadership 4 Growth programme?  

Taking over as Managing Director for my family business was exciting but challenging. While I have an intrinsic understanding of the business having been involved from an early age, I also recognised that we had bold ambitions for the future that needed to be formalised and that we needed to be open to some innovative perspectives from peers and other business leaders who have ‘walked the walk”, so to speak. 

What sets this programme apart for you from others?  

For me, the Leadership 4 Growth programme is the only one in Ireland tailored for executive development, specifically for global business expansion. Its international recognition as a leading executive development programme was a major draw for me, and it is recognised as one of the leading executive development programmes globally.

Another reason the programme appealed to me was that ATC has a strong relationship with Enterprise Ireland, and I greatly appreciated their support and expertise. For example, In June 2022, we were proud to be one of a small number of Irish businesses asked to participate in the Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission in Frankfurt, where a delegation visited our Operations HQ.  

Reading case studies from previous participants also showed me that this programme had an excellent track record for delivering results.  

Did you have any key objectives when you set out to do this course?  

Absolutely, a couple. 

From a business perspective, we aimed to bring ATC to a global stage while scaling our team carefully and strategically. However, we needed a clear roadmap to translate our ambition into simple, actionable steps for the entire team.  

One of my priorities was building a leadership team capable of overseeing the growing and diverse functions of the business, teams and services.  

I sought advice on the best tools to implement to support our teams. Even seemingly minor changes, like introducing Microsoft PowerPlatform, has revolutionised our internal processes and communications. As a company with a reputation for exceeding our client’s expectations, we had to do the same for our team and our own business.  

Lastly, on a personal level, I wanted clarity on the direction of the business and the role I needed to play as Managing Director. Participating in this programme has afforded me a unique opportunity to learn from peers facing similar challenges, which reassured me that we were on the right path. 

Can you tell us about any key highlights of participating in the course, e.g., a trip to New York City?  

Some of the standout moments on the programme were the trips to Barcelona, Munich and New York where we got to be fully present for entire weeks at a time. The team from IESE were strict on getting us to disconnect from day-to-day work and immerse ourselves in the tour programme, group activities, and interactive events with visiting CEOs. It’s fair to say that as our cohort, we connected more and more, and learned as much from each other as from the formal sessions. Hearing of common challenges and sharing solutions that have worked elsewhere was eye-opening and empowering. By the time we got to the last week in New York, we were a tight-knit group, able to share openly, give fair advice (and even critique).  

How has this programme supported the strategic planning in ATC as you drive towards being a global business?  

The Strategic Growth Plan developed through the programme has given us the roadmap and step-by-step actions to drive forward agreed-upon KPIs, which hold us all accountable. The KPIs have greatly supported us in making data-driven business decisions, and we can iterate as needed based on real-time results.  

The Strategic Growth Plan helped me create the Leadership Team we now have in place with their own responsibilities that align with the ‘big picture’ of the business.  

Additionally, we are just at the final stages of developing our revised brand mission, vision, and values, which reflect the SGP. We look forward to sharing this very soon.

We have also expanded our range of services and reached that all-important milestone of operating beyond Europe, which we will also share more about soon.  

Most recently, we held a very special event in our Dublin HQ to mark the launch of our EV fleet. On the day, we announced our commitment to spend €22.5 million over five years across our operations, primarily targeted at our trucks to support in our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. You can read this story in full over on The Irish Times.   

What would you say to someone considering participating in the L4G programme?  

I encourage anyone who is considering the L4G to go for it. Participating in this programme has helped us to solidify our ambitions and make strides towards reaching those goals. 

On a personal note, it has given me the clarity and confidence to deliver on the big ideas we have always had, and I couldn’t be more excited about the business’s future.  

I want to take this opportunity to thank our mentors, my fellow participants, and friends for their support, as well as the whole team at ATC for sharing this vision and working with the leadership team and myself to make it happen.

Together, we move forward. 

 

Listen to Keith Young on Down to Business with Bobby Kerr

Listen back to Keith Young, PhD, on Newstalk’s Down to Business with Bobby Kerr, where he spoke about growing up in the family business, completing a PhD in Mobile Learning, and ATC’s latest milestone investment in Electric Vehicles 🚛

https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/486049?%24deeplink_path=podcast%2F36%2F486049&%24og_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goloudplayer.com%2Fepisodes%2F486049&%24og_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goloudplayer.com%2F&_branch_match_id=1359529252729995439&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA6WO0QrDIAxFv8Y96mht2QZl9GW%2FIaKhSt0SNEX297V729tgcAkknBxuYKZyU4r8ELW0RDLF16ruotMegI7FkOUwEXpnC4vu0Y9t6Mt41tfTBysrI5ktpykcNtHPDWiptcoFE26ekn1Dlg6f7QwUC7avLwsuJoOPGRz%2FZ%2Fm5xg4FBnMD%2BgAAAA%3D%3D

 

ATC announces landmark €22.5 million investment to support transition of global transportation fleet to zero emission Heavy Goods Vehicles over next five years

ATC has unveiled a landmark investment of €22.5 million over five years to support its companywide ‘Driving Green Strategy’ including the ongoing transition of its HGV fleet from traditional combustion engines to battery-electric power.

The announcement, which is one of Ireland’s most significant private investments in a zero tailpipe emission transportation fleet, positions the business as a global leader in the Green Logistics sector. It is also an important milestone in ATC’s ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2030.

As part of the announcement, ATC has recently taken delivery of five state-of-the-art battery-electric Volvo HGVs and two additional Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s for their Irish cloud logistics and technical services operations, adding to their European fleet of 142 vehicles. Four further battery-electric Volvo HGVs have also been integrated into the European fleet.

ATC availed of the Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme, funded by the Department of Transport and administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to support the acquisition of battery-operated HVGs for the Irish-based fleet. The €500,000 grant is awarded to facilitate companies and enterprises who wish to purchase zero-emission HGVs.

Headquartered in Dublin, ATC has a footprint across Ireland, Europe and New Zealand, with major offices in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and London. Employing over 250 people from over 31 nationalities, the business plans to increase headcount to 300 by 2026, and add two further international offices.

As pioneers in the cloud logistics and technical services industry, ATC has significantly strengthened its commitment to its ‘Driving Green Strategy’ this year to create a more sustainable business model for the future. The business has grown its ‘Driving Green Strategy’ to assist clients in reaching their own sustainable goals by reducing emissions across services and decarbonising the final mile of customers’ supply chain.

The ‘Driving Green Strategy’ is designed to help ATC clients gain visibility of their carbon emissions in their Scope 3 emissions for subcontracted transport and logistics services. ATC works with clients to design decarbonisation strategies, ranging from strategic supply chain management and sustainable warehousing, to alternative fuels, zero emissions, and waste and recycling management. The ‘Driving Green Strategy’ enables clients to implement emissions reduction options into their operations without constraining business growth.

Keith Young, Managing Director of ATC, says: “Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for ATC, and we are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of a more sustainable future in the logistics industry. Since ATC was founded 45 years ago, customer service, quality, and innovation have been at the heart of what we do and now, with these investments, sustainability is also at the very heart of what we do.

By integrating state-of-the-art battery-electric vehicles into our operations, we are reducing our environmental impact and enhancing the efficiency of our services across Ireland and Europe. ATC will continue to be an important partner for our clients as we continue working together to meet their sustainability goals by decarbonising the final mile of their supply chains.”

Rainer Hoerbst, Head of Green Logistics at ATC, says: “ATC’s investment in zero tailpipe emission vehicles is a significant step towards meeting our net zero 2030 targets. The addition of five new battery electric Volvo HGVs to our global fleet positions us at the forefront of green logistics both at a national and international level. ATC is aligning with global environmental standards and setting new Green Logistics targets.

By transitioning to a greener fleet, we are helping our data centre clients to decarbonise their supply chain, showcasing that a more sustainable business model is possible for the logistics business. It also proves for our business that decarbonisation can be decoupled from economic growth. As a result, we look forward to seeing this investment’s positive impact on our operations and clients.”

James Lawless, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, says: “This significant investment by ATC is a strong testament to the private sector’s role in driving Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy. The move towards zero emission HGVs is crucial in achieving Ireland’s climate goals, and it’s encouraging to see industry leaders, like ATC, take proactive steps to be more sustainable. This announcement not only supports our national sustainability targets but also sets a benchmark for others in the transport and logistics sector.”

 

Associated Media Coverage:

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/0830/1467374-atc-invests-22-5m-in-zero-emissions-hgvs/

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/08/30/transport-firm-atc-to-spend-225m-on-cutting-carbon/

https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/atc-hgv-fleet-electric-net-zero-investment/

ATC: Data centre booms and decarbonising the supply chain

ATC switching to electric HGV fleet as part of €22.5m green investment

Transport firm ATC to invest €22.5 million in battery electric heavy goods vehicles

 

 

 

 

ATC EV Fleet Launch

Join us in celebrating an exciting milestone for ATC as we launch our battery-electric HGV fleet in Ireland.

We are invested in zero-tailpipe battery electric HGVs, in a big way showcasing our commitment to sustainability. Join the ATC team, industry leaders, and policymakers at our Baldonnell headquarters in Dublin to discuss the future of green logistics.

James Lawless, Minister of State for Transport and Environment, Climate and Communications, will officially open the event. and the Event will be attended by a number of other thought leaders and VIPS.

 

It will be a great opportunity to learn about decarbonising supply chains, but also a great chance to meet everyone and celebrate this milestone.

Event Details:

• Date: 30th August 2024
• Time: 14:00 for 14:30 until 17:00
• Location: Unit A1, Baldonnell Business Park, D22 K0V1

Your presence would mean a great deal to us, and we’re eager to celebrate this achievement together. Please let us know if you’ll be able to attend.

Click Below to register you interest in attending

 

 

 

ATC: Leading the Charge in Reducing Vehicle Emissions

On May 13th, 2024, the European Union countries approved a groundbreaking law to cut truck carbon dioxide emissions. This law mandates that most heavy-duty vehicles sold in the EU from 2040 must be emissions-free—a significant milestone in the battle against climate change. – RTE News.   

Research has shown that heavy-duty vehicles contribute to a quarter of Europe’s road transport emissions, which has been linked not only to climate change but also to severe health issues such as lung cancer and respiratory illnesses. At ATC, we recognise the urgent need to address these challenges, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this critical transition to cleaner transportation. 

Electric Vans: A Game-Changer for ATC 

Two years ago, in 2022, ATC took a bold step by introducing our first electric vans as part of our commitment to sustainable transportation. From the outset, we conducted a thorough cost-of-ownership comparison between diesel and electric light goods vehicles. While the initial investment in electric vehicles was significant, the long-term financial and environmental benefits have been remarkable. 

Our data shows that driving 400 km with an electric van at 77 kWh over five years costs 80-82% less than a diesel engine. This translates to a reduction in expenses from nearly €40,000 to just €7,000 to €8,000. These figures highlight the economic advantages of electric vehicles and reinforce our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint. 

The full article can be read here.   

HVO Vehicles: Pioneering Sustainable Fuel Alternatives 

Our exploration of sustainable fuel alternatives led us to pilot Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement for diesel across a select number of trucks and vans. The results were intriguing and overwhelmingly positive, and we quickly expanded this initiative across our fleet as far as possible. Switching to HVO has resulted in a remarkable 69% reduction in emissions. 

You can read more about our HVO journey here. 

Building a Green Infrastructure: 100% Renewable Energy 

A common question in the industry concerns the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles. At ATC, we’ve proactively addressed this challenge by securing a 100% renewable energy supply for our vehicle charging stations. Additionally, we are expanding our solar power capabilities, with plans to boost energy production by 40% by installing additional solar panels. These efforts ensure that our fleet operates on the cleanest energy possible, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. 

Looking Ahead: ATC’s Ongoing Commitment to Green Logistics 

The landscape of sustainable logistics is dynamic, and ATC is committed to staying ahead of the curve. Our electric vans, HVO-powered vehicles, and green energy projects are just the beginning. As we expand our fleet and enhance our operations, we remain dedicated to transparency and leadership in this vital industry. 

We  will be officially launching our Electric Vehicle fleet at our headquarters on August 30th,  

 

Join us as we celebrate our investment into zero tailpipe emissions vehicles.  The event will take place at our headquarters in Baldonnell, Dublin, where guest speakers including , industry leaders, and policymakers will explore the future of green logistics. We invite you to join us to learn more about decarbonising cloud supply chains. 

 

Details: 

Date:                    August 30th 2024  

Time:                   14h00 for  14:30  

Venue:                 ATC Headquarters, Unit A1, Baldonnell Business Park, Dublin, D22 KOV1   

Map:                     https://maps.app.goo.gl/pUn4GEvuiutmBgY8A 

  

RSVP: 

We will be delighted to see you there; please use the link below to accept the invitation and register additional guests. 

Link:                     https://forms.office.com/e/XhAD65G91N  

Queries:              Max Henderson, max.henderson@atc-logistics.com

 

Stay tuned for more updates and exciting announcements as ATC continues to lead the charge toward a more sustainable future. Together, we’re not just adapting to the changing landscape of transportation—we’re shaping it. 

Rainer Hoerbst

Head of Green Logistics

ATC Computer Logistics & Transport