FedEx and Advent Consortium to Acquire InPost in Major €7.8 Billion Transaction
Parcel locker operator InPost is poised for acquisition by a consortium led by global delivery firm FedEx and private equity group Advent in a landmark deal valued at €7.8 billion, equivalent to approximately £6.8 billion. This strategic move is designed to accelerate InPost's aggressive growth strategy across the United Kingdom and broader European markets.
Premium Offer and Shareholder Structure
The consortium has presented an offer of €15.60 per share, which translates to £13.59. This price represents a significant 17.3 per cent premium over InPost's closing share price on the Amsterdam Euronext exchange last Friday. Notably, this valuation is 50 per cent higher than the share price in January, before an earlier, undisclosed takeover approach was revealed.
Following the acquisition's completion, expected in the second half of 2026, the ownership structure will shift dramatically:
- Advent and FedEx will each hold 37 per cent stakes.
- A&R, the private investment firm of InPost founder Rafat Brzoska, will secure 16 per cent.
- PPF, the Czech Kellner family's investment company, will retain the remaining 10 per cent.
Prior to this agreement, Advent owned 6.5 per cent, A&R held 12.49 per cent, and PPF controlled 28.75 per cent of InPost.
Strategic Expansion and Operational Independence
InPost will maintain its brand identity and operate as a standalone entity, with its headquarters remaining in Poland. Founder and chief executive Rafat Brzoska will continue to lead the company, although he did not participate in boardroom discussions due to his interest in the takeover.
The acquisition will fuel substantial expansion across InPost's existing European markets, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Benelux, and the United Kingdom. The UK, as Europe's largest e-commerce market, is a particular focus. The group plans to more than double its UK locker network from 14,000 to 30,000 points, complementing its existing 5,500 pick-up and drop-off locations nationwide.
Leadership Perspectives and Future Vision
Hein Pretorius, chair of InPost's supervisory board and the special committee, stated: "We believe that the transaction provides a solid foundation for the future of InPost, with the consortium that has a long-term perspective on value creation and fully endorses the strategy."
Rafat Brzoska commented: "Building on our success in Poland, this transaction will support our next phase of growth as we continue to grow across Europe. By partnering with the long-term financial and strategic investors of the consortium who know our business and the industry well, we benefit from the expertise, stability and resources needed to capitalise on the strong tailwinds including increasing e-commerce penetration, rising consumer demand for speed and convenience and the shift towards more sustainable delivery solutions."
He added: "Together, we will strengthen our network and reach more consumers with enhanced fast and flexible delivery options as we continue our objective of redefining the European e-commerce sector."
Company Background and Synergies
Founded in 1999 by Rafat Brzoska, InPost has established an extensive network across nine European countries: Poland, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The company operates over 61,000 lockers and more than 33,000 pick-up and drop-off points. In 2025, InPost delivered an impressive 1.4 billion parcels and also provides courier and fulfilment services for online sellers. The firm went public on the Amsterdam Euronext in 2021.
Raj Subramaniam, chief executive of FedEx, highlighted the strategic synergies: "We will be entering into agreements with InPost following completion of the transaction that will provide our customers access to InPost's last-mile B2C (business-to-consumer) capabilities while bringing FedEx's global network and logistics expertise to support InPost's next phase of growth."
Financial Implications and Efficiency Gains
The companies have indicated that there are "no immediate costs identified" for reduction following the deal. However, taking InPost private is expected to enhance operational efficiency by eliminating costs associated with stock market listing, such as those linked to "dependency on market expectations driven by short-term performance outlook and periodic reporting." This move will allow InPost to focus on long-term strategic goals without the pressures of quarterly earnings reports.
