Katoen Natie and the Bils family have reached an agreement for the acquisition of an 80% stake in BILS DEROO SOLUTIONS SAS. The Bils family remain shareholders with a 20% stake.
With nearly 1,500 employees and an annual turnover of approximately €150 million, the Bils-Deroo Group is a leading logistics and transport provider in the Hauts-de-France region. A family-run business for 114 years, now led by the fourth generation, it embodies strong entrepreneurial experience and values of proximity in service to its clients and partners.
The group offers a comprehensive logistics portfolio, including multi-client and dedicated warehousing, packaging and co-packing, e-commerce fulfilment, and in-situ logistics close to customer operations. A key player in the Hauts-de-France region, where it concentrates around 90% of its logistics activity, Bils-Deroo operates across 21 sites totalling approximately 780,000 m² of managed space.
In transport, the group is a major player in the Hauts-de-France region and operates throughout France and across Europe. Its flexible strategy combines an internal fleet of over 220 trucks and 500 semi-trailers, a continuously mobilised network of independent carriers, and recognised expertise in chartering. This enables the group to meet diverse freight needs while maintaining dense coverage in its core region.
The Bils-Deroo Group sought a stable, long-term industrial partner to continue its existing operations and expand its service offering. An agreement was reached with Belgian family-owned company Katoen Natie for an acquisition that will support continued growth and broaden the range of services available to customers. Jimmy Bils, President of Bils-Deroo, will continue to lead the company alongside the existing management team.
Katoen Natie’s arrival alongside Bils-Deroo will enable joint development of logistics and transport activities. Katoen Natie will bring its portfolio of international clients seeking to expand in the Hauts-de-France region, while supporting improvements in IT and digital tools, as well as innovation in warehouse processes and intralogistics infrastructure. This collaboration will also foster growth in the e-commerce segment, leveraging Katoen Natie’s recognised expertise in tailored logistics solutions and optimised flow management. Bils-Deroo’s customers will benefit from Katoen Natie’s global network, offering expanded logistics solutions.
Katoen Natie’s transport activities, which serve various business units and are well established in Belgium and the southern Netherlands, will be strengthened by Bils-Deroo’s transport operations in northern France. This will enable tailored transport solutions for a wide range of clients.
