The European transport and logistics sector is undergoing a profound structural transformation. In a recent interview published in Cadena de Suministro, Pablo Gómez, Partner at Albia IMAP, shares his perspective on the dynamics reshaping the market and the role that M&A is playing as a strategic lever for growth and consolidation.
A sector driven by structural forces
As highlighted by Pablo Gómez, the industry is simultaneously facing multiple transformative drivers:
- Decarbonisation and increasing regulatory pressure.
- Recurring capacity constraints, including labour shortages and congestion.
- Rising customer expectations demanding faster, fully traceable and end-to-end solutions.
This new competitive environment is accelerating investment in fleet renewal, automation, digitalisation and value-added services, raising operational standards across the entire supply chain.
M&A as a strategic tool
In this context, the transport and logistics M&A market has become a key instrument to:
- Gain scale and network density.
- Consolidate fragmented supply chains.
- Add specialised capabilities (forwarding, last-mile, warehousing, specialised transport).
- Finance technology and ESG-related investments.
According to Pablo Gómez, well-structured transactions enable the creation of more resilient, efficient and competitive platforms in a market increasingly oriented toward service integration and broader geographic coverage.
Consolidation and mid-market opportunities
Sector consolidation will remain a dominant trend across Europe. The high degree of fragmentation in certain segments, combined with the need for sustained investment in technology and sustainability, is creating a particularly favourable environment for mid-market M&A transactions, driven by both industrial players and financial investors.
Spain, in particular, continues to stand out as an attractive market within the European ecosystem, both due to its strategic positioning and the sustained interest from international buyers seeking geographic diversification.
You can read the full interview with Pablo Gómez in Cadena de Suministro here:
https://www.cadenadesuministro.es/opinion/transformacion-consolidacion-transporte-logistica-europa_1513984_102.html
