Wedoany.com Report-Dec 26, The agreement covers the full transfer of shares and voting rights of Ermewa Holding and its subsidiaries.
SNCF has completed the sale of Ermewa, a leading provider of freight wagon and tank container leasing services, to a consortium formed by global investment firms DWS and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ).
The transaction follows the required regulatory approvals, including clearances from the European Commission and the French Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Recovery, along with consultation processes with relevant employee representative bodies at both SNCF and Ermewa.
Under the terms of the deal, DWS and CDPQ each hold an equal share in Ermewa and will jointly oversee its operations. This acquisition represents the fourth investment from DWS's Pan-European Infrastructure III fund. SNCF retains a commercial partnership with Ermewa while the company transitions under the new ownership structure.
Ermewa operates a fleet of 100,000 freight wagons and tank containers, serving over 1,000 customers across 80 countries. The company specializes in asset design, optimization, and management, supporting global supply chains across sectors such as steel, energy, construction, chemicals, food and beverages, and logistics.
Headquartered in France, Ermewa maintains 40 international offices and focuses on providing localized expertise to diverse industries. The company’s operational focus includes fleet management, asset maintenance, and logistics support tailored to specific sector needs.
The sale is expected to contribute to SNCF's financial objectives, including a reported net debt reduction of approximately €3.2 billion through proceeds from the sale and the assumption of Ermewa’s debt by the new shareholders.
The transaction reflects ongoing investment interest in rail-based logistics and leasing services, with Ermewa positioned to continue serving European and global freight transport markets under its new ownership.
At the end of 2022, the same consortium finalized the acquisition of the rolling stock leasing company, Akiem.
