FAN Courier acquires 60% of shares in romanian customs brokerage firm Marian’s Trading

FAN Courier, the leader of the local courier market, plans to acquire a majority stake in Marian’s Trading (MST), a customs brokerage firm with over 20 years of experience. By adding customs brokerage services, FAN Courier aims to expand its capabilities in the supply chain/logistics sector. The agreement, which grants FAN Courier a 60% share in the customs brokerage firm, was signed in December and is to be completed, one of the aspects being the approval process specific to the Competition Council.   Marian’s Trading is the second Romanian company, following the acquisition of a majority stake in SLS Cargo in 2020, that FAN Courier founders Felix Patrascanu, Adrian Mihai, and Neculai Mihai have chosen to integrate into the company’s long-term strategy.   “Customs brokerage was the only service in the supply chain/logistics sector that FAN Courier did not offer to its clients. It has become increasingly important to help clients outsource all processes and activities, providing an end-to-end solution and fulfilling our mission in client relationships. The agreement with Marian’s Trading is a strategic partnership, beneficial to both parties. The founder of Marian’s Trading will remain a minority shareholder and Managing Director of the customs brokerage company because his over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and expertise are extremely valuable. We are thrilled that, after three years of close collaboration, we are now partners in a project where our shared values will drive future growth,” said Adrian Mihai, CEO and co-founder of FAN Courier.   Founded in 2003, Marian’s Trading specializes in customs brokerage, offering a full range of services, from pre-clearance and after-hours clearance to onboard courier services, payment of customs duty on behalf of customers, and handling fee payments. In 2023, the company reported a turnover of 18.7 million lei and a profit of 4.1 million lei. Marian’s Trading has extensive experience in customs brokerage services tailored to the courier industry, serving prestigious international clients. The company’s team comprises specialized personnel, certified experts, most of whom hold degrees in Customs Law and Legislation, Transportation, and Economics.   “FAN Courier is a benchmark in the Romanian entrepreneurial environment, and partnering with the market leader provides an opportunity to learn from the best and grow alongside them. Over three years of collaboration, we identified shared values that brought us to this point and convinced us that, together, we can better meet client needs and accelerate the growth of both companies,” said Marian Staicu, founder and Managing Director of Marian’s Trading.   By incorporating the services provided by the customs brokerage firm, FAN Courier will expand its portfolio in Romania’s supply chain/logistics market, integrating new services into its medium- and long-term development strategy. FAN Courier plans to open new customs clearance points for non-EU courier volumes and non-courier volumes, which are Marian’s Trading’s core business.   In this transaction, FAN Courier was assisted by an integrated team of consultants from PwC Romania and D&B David and Baias, together with Dragos Atanasiu, an independent consultant. They provided comprehensive M&A services, financial, tax, and legal due diligence, as well as legal assistance on competition law matters.   At the same time, Marian’s Trading was assisted by an integrated team from bnt Gilescu, Valeanu & Partners, including Ovidiu Valeanu, Managing Partner, and Oana Brotac, Of Counsel. They provided extensive legal assistance, including the analysis and protection of contractual interests, contract negotiation, evaluation of the corporate situation, and advice on the transaction’s impact on key factors.