Scania’s corporate venture capital fund (Scania Growth Capital) is announcing a Euro seven-digit investment into Berlin-based digital freight-forwarding company sennder.
Scania Growth Capital (SCG) says sennder is a growing company that provides software that digitalises freight-forwarding processes to increase efficiency and reduce cost.
Thanks to sennder’s digital solution, the currently manual and paper-dependent road freight business gets a new level of automation, transparency and effectiveness.
The solution uses a proprietary software platform that provides immediate visibility of pricing, live tracking, customised reporting and automated alerts through API integration with the transport provider and the buyer’s current systems.
It comprises mobile apps for drivers, fleet management tools for dispatchers, and logistics management solutions for shippers.
“Digitalisation is one of the key drivers of change in the ecosystem of transport and logistics. Investing in sennder is well aligned with our strategic direction and our efforts to support our customers in digitalising their business and operations,” says Scania head of corporate management and venture business Daniel Wedberg.
“sennder has been able to secure and develop long-term contracts with some of the most demanding buyers of logistics services in Europe. By leveraging technology, sennder increases the level of customer service significantly while cutting cost for all involved parties,” says SCG management company partner Christian Zeuchner.
“With its knowledge, network and focus on digitalisation, Scania is a great fit for us. With their support, we will be able to accelerate our growth journey, expanding further across Europe in our ambition to offer the most customer-focused and efficient service in the sector,” says sennder co-founder and managing director David Nothacker.
From its head office in Berlin, Germany, sennder has built a list of customers that includes some of the largest e-commerce players in the world.
Through a virtual fleet comprising vehicles ranging from small vans to 40-tonne trucks across Europe, sennder can provide both parcel and full truckload services.
SCG invests in growing companies with strategic relevance to Scania and Scania’s ecosystem of customers and partners.
The fund invests in businesses that enable the transformation to a more environmentally friendly transport system and in ventures that can develop disruptive technologies and business models.
It is managed by an external company with a team that has extensive experience in both investments and the automotive industry.
Investments may include but are not limited to, companies with products, solutions or services in digitalisation, autonomous vehicles, connectivity, hybridisation, renewable fuels and smart factory.
Through SGC, Scania reaches a segment of complementing companies, giving it an opportunity to tap into early development and innovation that is relevant to the industry but outside its core operations.
