A.P. Moller - Maersk to add last mile, middle mile and border crossing solutions to customer offering with U.S. acquisition

We are pleased to share that we have acquired Pilot Freight Services, a leading U.S. based last mile, middle mile, and border crossing solutions provider specializing in the big and bulky freight segment in North America for B2C and B2B distribution models.

Headquartered in Glen Mills, PA, Pilot provides for the big and bulky segment through its national network of freight stations in the U.S. This segment includes items like mattresses or furniture, home appliances and consumer electronics that weigh more than 70 kg (154 lbs.). Full mile delivery involves moving goods from a port to a warehouse or distribution center and then on to the end customer, while last mile delivery brings goods from a warehouse or distribution center to a consumer’s front door and installation of certain items via white glove services.

Pilot offers both B2C and B2B solutions that are very attractive to Maersk and its existing customers where we both service consumer verticals such as retail, lifestyle and technology.

Starting with B2C, Pilot offers non-conveyable full- and last mile capabilities, which are well known in the industry and are perceived to be among ‘best in-class’ across interviewed shippers, customers and industry peers. When combined with Maersk’s current last mile capabilities in the parcel space (through Visible SCM), subject to regulatory approvals, this will offer a unique opportunity to offer a true end-to-end integrated service to our customers on big and bulky and parcel cargo.

Pilot is known for expedited service and consultative support (e.g., optimizing for best route to reduce mileage) and better rates for odd sizes and consistent flows for this segment.

Further, Pilot has a network presence in major and secondary markets in the United States. The network coverage by way of stations and hubs is set up to cover most continental ground deliveries within 24 hours and will complement our existing footprint in this region.

Finally, Pilot also offers value-added service such as white glove, assembly and installation and will allow us to further enhance the customer experience, catering for time sensitive shipments and logistical challenges with a fully connected supply chain fuelled by global scale and subject matter expertise, also when crossing borders.

Upon closing the transaction in Q2, our increased capacity will help customers looking for supply chains solutions to meet growth demands. The scope encompasses white glove service for B2C and B2B full container loads (FCL), less-than-container loads (LTL) and heavy and bulky shipments that require normal or time sensitive delivery speeds.

The combined Pilot and Maersk scale will offer customers over 150 facilities in the U.S., including distribution centers, hubs and stations that will offer an integrated supply chain network of first mile, middle mile, last mile and cross border services for both parcel and heavy and bulky cargo. This landside logistics network depth, combined with Maersk’s international depth, creates tremendous new, end-to-end supply chain performance capabilities. Pilot’s acquisition of American Linehaul Corporation in July 2021 was instrumental in creating this leading market expertise in middle mile, LTL expedited capabilities.

Overall, we see tremendous opportunities to offer a truly end-to-end integrator value as it relates to domestic transportation in North America while Pilot’s customers will be able to benefit from the vast, global network of ocean and L&S solutions from Maersk.

Pilot has more than 2,600 employees and the Pilot network operates 87 locations, including warehouses, hubs and stations, which are all multi-client facilities. Several of Pilot’s facilities are strategically located near air and ocean gateways with CFS capabilities. Pilot’s network is composed of stations and hubs. A station performs first and last mile services, customer service, quoting and other. Stations act as freight forwarding units. A hub is a gateway, performing consolidation and deconsolidation activities, building truckloads. See map of Pilot’s U.S. locations below:

There is little overlap. Performance Team – a Maersk Company has fulfilment capabilities to larger customers whereas Visible SCM has small-to-medium-size customers and brings in B2C fulfilment and parcel delivery competencies for this segment. Pilot will bring a completely different set of capabilities that Maersk does not possess today in the B2B and B2C space for big and bulky goods, with full mile and last mile only solutions. Ultimately, they complement each other very well and all contribute to a connected supply chain for customers.

No. We maintain current account teams, terms & conditions (contracts, pricing, payment terms, etc.). No changes are expected to how customers interact with Pilot.

Yes. No changes to any commercial terms and agreements are made as we remain two separate companies until the transaction closes.

We intend to close the transaction during Q2 2022 as soon as we obtain all the required regulatory approvals. On closing day, Pilot will become a Maersk company and we will be able to begin collaborating together to drive operational and commercial synergies that will benefit our customers in the long run. We will be able to communicate more on what this means for our people and our customers then. Until closing, Maersk and Pilot shall continue operating as separate entities.