Parcel locker group InPost has formally agreed to a substantial acquisition by a consortium spearheaded by global delivery titan FedEx and private equity firm Advent. The deal, valued at 7.8 billion euros (approximately £6.8 billion), is set to fuel significant expansion across the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Financial Details and Shareholder Structure
The consortium has presented an offer of 15.60 euros (£13.59) per share for the Polish-headquartered company. This price represents a premium of 17.3% over InPost's closing share price in Amsterdam on the preceding Friday and a notable 50% increase above its valuation in January, prior to the disclosure of initial takeover interest from an undisclosed party.
Following the transaction's completion, anticipated in the latter half of 2026, the ownership structure will shift significantly. Advent and FedEx are each poised to secure 37% holdings in the company. Existing stakeholders A&R, a private investment firm founded by InPost's chief executive, will retain a 16% stake, while PPF, the investment vehicle of the Czech Kellner family, will hold the remaining 10%. Prior to the deal, Advent, A&R, and PPF held stakes of 6.5%, 12.49%, and 28.75% respectively.
Strategic Expansion and Market Growth
InPost will continue to operate as a standalone entity under its established brand, maintaining its headquarters in Poland with founder and chief executive Rafat Brzoska remaining in leadership. The primary strategic objective is aggressive expansion within its existing European markets, which include France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Benelux nations, and the United Kingdom.
The UK, recognised as Europe's largest e-commerce market, is a focal point for growth. The consortium plans to more than double InPost's UK locker-point network, escalating from the current 14,000 to an ambitious 30,000 locations. Additionally, the company's infrastructure includes 5,500 pick-up and drop-off points across its operations.
Leadership Perspectives on the Deal
Hein Pretorius, chair of InPost's supervisory board and the special committee overseeing the transaction, expressed confidence in the consortium's long-term vision. "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," Pretorius stated.
Rafat Brzoska, who recused himself from boardroom discussions due to his vested interest in the takeover, highlighted the synergistic benefits of the partnership. "Building on our success in Poland, this transaction will support our next phase of growth as we continue to grow across Europe," Brzoska remarked.
He further elaborated, "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. 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."
