Vuna Partners Fund I, a fund managed by Vuna Partners, has acquired an 80% equity stake in 4PL Group, a South African provider of logistics solutions.

Siya Nhlumayo, CEO of Vuna Partners, said: “4PL has reported consistent revenue and operating profit growth over the medium-term period, despite facing significant economic headwinds. The high quality of its earnings, impressive return on invested capital, and its experienced founding management team with strong capital allocation discipline, has made 4PL Group an attractive investment for the Fund. The enhanced empowerment credentials afforded by the Fund’s investment also advances 4PL Group’s transformation goals.” 

Founded in 2006, 4PL Group is a rapidly growing provider of third-party logistics and fourth-party logistics, serving clients throughout the southern African region.

Headquartered in Irene, Pretoria, 4PL Group is an integrated supply chain company with a national and international footprint.

The logistics solutions span specialised and bulk road, rail, sea and air freighting, import/export clearance and forwarding, crossborder services, warehousing, as well as tracking and reporting technology.

4PL Group’s 260-strong team are responsible for the successful transportation of more than 240 000 tonnes of cargo per month, servicing over 450 clients with a fleet of owned and subcontracted vehicles.

The Fund is acquiring its equity stake from the Mergon Group, which has served as 4PL’s investment partner since the company was founded 13 years ago.

“We enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Mergon under the stewardship of its COO, Gauche Radley,” said Brendan Pearson, CEO of 4PL Group.

“We are now embarking on the next chapter of 4PL’s journey together with Vuna Partners, with whom we anticipate a future of transformative, empowered growth, sustainable expansion into new markets and long-term mutual success.” 

4PL Group is the first investment by the Fund. 

Vuna Partners is a South African private equity investor focused on medium-sized businesses across a range of sectors.

Vuna Partners leverages off the collective experience of its investment team, matched with its bespoke partnership strategies, to forge companies with enduring value.

The firm presents investors with a compelling value proposition that allows for capitalisation of the under-serviced regional small to mid cap unlisted equity market.