Swiss private equity firm Partners Group, acting on behalf of its clients, has agreed to sell its 24.9 percent stake in Apex Logistics, an integrated global logistics solutions provider headquartered in Singapore, to majority shareholder Kuehne+Nagel.

The transaction values Apex at an enterprise value of over $4 billion, Partners Group said in a statement on Wednesday.

Partners Group’s stake sale, which is scheduled to close in 2025, marks a full exit from its investment in 2021 and a strong return for the firm’s clients.

“With support from Partners Group, we have transformed from a China-based logistics firm to a global freight forwarder with comprehensive one-stop supply chain solutions,

“We have navigated multiple headwinds and global shocks in recent years to emerge as a stronger, more dynamic, and better integrated business,” said Tony Song, Chief Executive Officer, Apex Logistics.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Singapore, Apex offers logistics solutions centered on air and sea freight transportation, with warehousing and distribution as auxiliary services.

Kuehne+Nagel and Partners Group have worked together on a shared ambition to transform Apex into a global logistics platform, driving strategy and value creation from board level in partnership with management.

The firm’s key initiatives included enhancing technology and capabilities to serve global blue-chip clients, increasing charter-flight capacity to enable greater agility and customer responsiveness, and investing in operations.

This has helped drive strong growth at Apex, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) surging 151 percent over the last five years.

Today, Apex has 48 sites worldwide that serve over 20,000 customers in more than 70 countries.

The firm serves customers across a range of industries including semiconductors, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, retail and fashion, perishables, and chemicals.

Apex moved 420,000 tons of airfreight and 300,000 TEU of ocean freight in 2024.

“The transformation at Apex that we achieved together with our outstanding strategic partner Kuehne+Nagel is a great example of entrepreneurial governance in action,

“From board level, our combined expertise across logistics operations and private equity investing acted as the foundation for driving strong bottom line growth at the company,” said Dr. Marcel Erni, Co-Founder, Member of the Board of Directors, Partners Group.

Sheng Liu, Managing Director, Private Equity, Partners Group, and its representative on the board of directors of Apex Logistics, said despite the uncertainties in global trade, they sourced this great company and executed a value creation plan centered around expanding operations internationally, increasing exposure to fast-growing freight sectors and regions, and growing accounts with global businesses.

“Apex is now well-positioned to continue its growth as an independent and entrepreneurial company under the global Kuehne+Nagel platform,” he added.

Partners Group’s Private Equity business has $83 billion in asset under management globally.

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