Partners Group sold its 24,9 percent stake in Apex Logistics to the majority shareholder, Kühne+Nagel. The firm exercised its option to sell to the logistics group based in Schindellegi, according to a statement released on Thursday.

The transaction values Apex at more than 4 billion dollars. Partners Group is thus fully exiting the investment it made in 2021. Over the past five years, Apex has recorded strong growth, with EBITDA increasing by 151 percent during this period.

The purchase was made at the buyback obligation of 886 million francs stated in the balance sheet and will be financed through available funds and credit lines, the statement continued. The transaction is expected to be completed later this year.

Kühne+Nagel acquired Apex in the spring of 2021 for 1,1 billion francs, bringing Partners Group on board as a minority shareholder. At that time, the Chinese company was considered the world’s seventh-largest air freight provider. Together, they worked to develop Apex into a global logistics platform by driving strategy and value creation at the board level alongside management. Key initiatives included improving technology and expanding capabilities to serve global key accounts. The company also increased its charter capacity to provide greater flexibility and customer focus, as well as investing in operations.

Today, Apex reportedly operates 48 locations worldwide, serving over 20'000 customers across more than 70 countries. Its clients come from a wide range of industries, including semiconductors, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, retail and fashion, perishables, and chemicals. In 2024, Apex transported 420'000 tons of air freight and 300'000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) of ocean freight.