Abris-backed Alsendo invests in Czech platform Zaslat
Acquisition will accelerate shipping services business’ expansion into Central European markets
13 September 2022, Warsaw – Abris Capital Partners (“Abris”), the ESG transformation specialist private equity investor, has supported Alsendo, a Central European technology shipping solutions business, in acquiring a majority stake in Zaslat, a technology-enabled parcel delivery platform focused on consumers and corporate clients in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The acquisition has strong strategic rationale, supporting Alsendo’s international expansion and giving the business an immediate footprint in the Czech and Slovak markets, with the potential for further expansion across Central Europe. Additionally, Zaslat’s shipping system can be replicated across other Central European markets and further afield, as demonstrated by a recent pilot in South Africa.
Edgar Kolesnik, partner at Abris Capital Partners, commented:
“The acquisition of Zaslat is the latest step in our ambitious buy-and-build strategy for Alsendo, allowing us to expand the business into the Czech Republic and Slovakia and solidify Alsendo’s position as the leading Central European player in the e-commerce shipping solutions market. It also strengthens the wider leadership team and enables synergies in go-to-market and product development.”
Central European investor Abris invested in Alsendo (previously apaczka), an e-commerce shipping solutions business, in 2020. It has since partnered with the firm, which offers SaaS and reselling delivery solutions for SMEs and individual consumers, to expand organically and through acquisition as it seeks to build the leading technology-driven provider of shipping services in Central Europe. The acquisition of Zaslat follows 2021’s add-on of Sendit, a parcel delivery platform for individual customers in Poland, as well as a number of smaller tuck-in acquisitions.
In addition to unlocking the potential for further consolidation in the Czech and Slovak markets and expansion into new geographies, the acquisition of Zaslat will support Alsendo’s transition towards a technology-driven business with a scalable platform, providing the potential to further accelerate the international rollout.
Marcin Susmanek, COO of Alsendo, commented:
“We continue to pursue our strategy of transitioning to a technology-driven business model and expanding internationally. This transaction accelerates our growth into the Czech Republic and Slovakia and, as demonstrated by the recent pilot in South Africa, brings the potential for wider expansion across other markets.”
Miroslav Michalko, CEO of Zaslat, commented:
“This is an exciting development for Zaslat, and we look forward to our partnership with Alsendo and Abris. The tie-up with Alsendo will allow us to build on the best practices of both companies, increase the product suite and scale the combined business. In addition, we will take a number of steps to further professionalize our operations and develop our team.”