Imperial Logistics
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA South African logistics and supply-chain solutions provider serving automotive, consumer, healthcare, chemicals, and industrial markets.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
Imperial Logistics is a South African logistics and supply-chain services company operating under the Imperial brand. Its activities include freight and transport management, warehousing, contract logistics, distribution, procurement, and market-access services. The company developed from a Johannesburg car dealership founded in 1948 into a diversified group involved in vehicle importing and distribution, automotive retail, industrial services, financial services, and logistics. Its logistics business became particularly significant in Africa, where Imperial built capabilities in consumer-goods distribution, healthcare logistics, warehousing, and cross-border movement of goods. Imperial was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1987 as Imperial Holdings. During the following decades, the wider group expanded through organic growth and acquisitions, becoming one of South Africa’s largest diversified companies by revenue. A major strategic shift began with the 2010 purchase of CIC Holdings, a consumer-packaged-goods distribution business active across the Southern African Development Community. This transaction accelerated Imperial’s expansion beyond South Africa and strengthened its position in African distribution networks. In 2013, the group entered Nigeria by acquiring a minority stake in MDS Logistics, a warehousing and distribution business. Imperial subsequently increased its ownership in MDS in stages. The group reorganized its portfolio during the middle of the 2010s. In 2016 and 2017, its logistics and automotive activities were consolidated into two separately governed businesses: Imperial Logistics and Motus Holdings. Motus later separated from Imperial and listed independently on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2018. After the separation, Imperial focused more clearly on logistics, distribution, and market-access services across Africa and selected international markets. Imperial’s operating scope covers automotive logistics, consumer goods, healthcare and pharmaceutical distribution, chemical logistics, and industrial and commodities supply chains. Its service model combines transportation, storage, inventory and distribution management, freight forwarding, sourcing, procurement, and sector-specific supply-chain design. The company has operated in 26 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with a strategic emphasis on connecting international suppliers and manufacturers to African markets. The business expanded its healthcare and pharmaceutical platform through several 2020 transactions, including investments in Kiara Health in South Africa and Geka Pharma in Namibia. It also broadened its African distribution portfolio through investments in Far East Mercantile in Ghana and increased ownership of MDS Logistics in Nigeria. An investment in Axis Group International added sourcing and procurement capabilities in Asian markets, while a partnership with Turkish freight forwarder M Ekspres created a multimodal freight-management operation focused on traffic involving Turkey. In 2022, South Africa’s Competition Tribunal approved DP World’s acquisition of Imperial. The transaction was valued at approximately R12.7 billion and included public-interest conditions concerning employee ownership, employment protection, and black economic empowerment requirements. Following completion of the transaction, Imperial was delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange after approximately 35 years as a listed company. Imperial therefore became part of DP World’s wider global logistics platform while retaining its identity and regional operating capabilities. Beyond commercial logistics, Imperial has supported programs in healthcare, education, road safety, sport, and skills development. Its Unjani Clinics initiative, established in 2010, supports affordable primary healthcare in low-income communities in South Africa. Imperial has also participated in education and refugee-school programs and has e…
History
Imperial began in 1948 as a Johannesburg car dealership. The business later expanded into vehicle importing, distribution, dealerships, and associated services, eventually becoming a diversified South African group. Imperial Holdings listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1987 and used acquisitions and portfolio expansion to build operations across automotive, logistics, industrial services, and financial services. Logistics became an increasingly important part of the group’s identity. Imperial moved beyond vehicle-related activities into the transportation and distribution of goods, developing capabilities in warehousing, contract logistics, freight, and sector-specific supply-chain management. The acquisition of CIC Holdings in 2010 was a major step in this transition. CIC distributed consumer-packaged goods across the Southern African Development Community, giving Imperial a broader regional platform and helping accelerate its expansion into the rest of Africa. In 2013, Imperial entered Nigeria through a 49% investment in MDS Logistics, a company focused on warehousing and distribution. The investment gave Imperial access to a large and strategically important market. Imperial increased its stake to 57% in 2019 and to 65% in 2020. By 2014, the wider group employed more than 52,000 people and generated annual revenue above R100 billion across its different sectors. That year, management began a significant portfolio restructuring, disposing of 55 businesses and 90 properties while acquiring 17 new assets. The group subsequently simplified its structure. In July 2016 and January 2017, logistics and automotive assets were consolidated into two large multinational businesses, Imperial Logistics and Motus Holdings. Each business received its own board, chief executive, and executive committee, while group head-office functions were progressively devolved. In July 2017, the former group executive committee was disbanded and authority transferred to the boards of the two operating companies. Motus was unbundled from Imperial and listed separately in January 2018. Imperial then concentrated on logistics, distribution, and market-access services. Its activities extended across automotive, consumer goods, healthcare, chemicals, industrial products, and commodities. The company operated in 26 countries spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Its African strategy emphasized helping international manufacturers and suppliers reach local markets through transportation, storage, distribution, procurement, and other supply-chain services. The company expanded its healthcare and pharmaceutical activities in 2020. It acquired a 49% interest in Pharmafrique, trading as Kiara Health, a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare-services company focused on generic and biosimilar medicines. It also acquired 65% of Namibian pharmaceutical distributor Geka Pharma. In the same year, Imperial increased its MDS Logistics stake to 65%, bought a 51% interest in Ghanaian company Far East Mercantile, and acquired 60% of Axis Group International, which specializes in sourcing and procurement in Asian markets. A partnership with Turkish freight forwarder M Ekspres created a multimodal freight-management business serving traffic to, from, and through Turkey. Imperial also developed social and environmental initiatives. The Unjani Clinics program, founded in 2010, supports affordable primary healthcare in low-income South African communities. Imperial’s community activities have included education, road safety, sport, skills development, refugee education, and support for children’s organizations. The company also investigated lower-carbon long-haul transport by investing in fuel-cell electric trucks using green hydrogen and partnering with Sasol. In March 2022, South Africa’s Competition Tribunal approved DP World’s acquisition of Imperial after finding that the transaction was unlikely to substantially reduce competition in South African markets. Approval included public-interest conditions, including an employee share-ownership program, a three-year restriction on retrenchments, and black economic empowerment commitments. DP World acquired Imperial for approximately R12.7 billion. Imperial was subsequently delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, ending its 35-year period as a listed company and placing it within DP World’s global logistics network.
- 2022
DP World acquisition and JSE delisting
[1]DP World acquires Imperial for approximately R12.7 billion after regulatory approval, and Imperial leaves the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
- 2020
Healthcare and African distribution expansion
[1]Imperial expands through investments in Kiara Health, Geka Pharma, MDS Logistics, Far East Mercantile, and Axis Group International.
- 2018
Motus is unbundled and listed separately
[1]The automotive business separates from Imperial and becomes independently listed on the JSE.
- 2016
Logistics and automotive operations are consolidated
[1]The group begins separating its logistics and automotive activities into Imperial Logistics and Motus Holdings.
- 2013
Imperial enters Nigeria
[1]Imperial acquires a 49% stake in MDS Logistics, a Nigerian warehousing and distribution company.
- 2010
CIC Holdings is acquired
[1]The acquisition adds consumer-packaged-goods distribution capabilities and supports expansion across Southern Africa.
- 1987
Imperial Holdings lists on the JSE
[1]The company becomes publicly traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
- 1948
Imperial is founded as a Johannesburg car dealership
[1]The company begins as an automotive dealership in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Products and positioning
International logistics and supply-chain partner with a strong African market-access and distribution focus.
Supply-chain services
Contract logistics
Imperial designs and operates outsourced logistics programs combining warehousing, inventory handling, transportation, distribution, and sector-specific operational processes. These services are intended for customers that need an integrated logistics partner rather than isolated freight or storage services.
Transportation
Freight and transport management
The company provides transportation coordination and freight-management services for domestic, regional, and international supply chains. Its capabilities include multimodal management and cross-border movement, including a Turkey-focused partnership with M Ekspres.
Healthcare logistics · 2020
Healthcare and pharmaceutical logistics
Imperial serves pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chains through distribution, logistics, and related investments. Its 2020 investments in Kiara Health and Geka Pharma broadened the group’s participation in pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare services, and medical-product distribution.
Procurement services · 2020
Sourcing and procurement
Through its interest in Axis Group International, Imperial added sourcing and procurement capabilities focused on Asian markets. This complements transportation and distribution by helping customers identify, source, and move products through international supply chains.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Unjani Clinics initiative
South Africa
Imperial established the Unjani Clinics initiative to support affordable primary healthcare in low-income communities. By 2020, the initiative reported 80 clinics, more than 300 employees, and 1.5 million patient engagements; it also supported COVID-19 screening.
Outcome. The initiative expanded into a substantial community-health network and reported 220,000 COVID-19 screenings in 2020.
- Education libraries and resource-centre partnership
South Africa
Imperial and the Motus Community Trust partnered with South Africa’s Department of Basic Education to support libraries and resource centres.
Outcome. The partnership committed R5 million per year for five years from each of Imperial and Motus Community Trust.
- Kenyan Refugee Schools Undertaking
Kenya
Imperial worked with the Caring Women’s Forum and UNHCR on an education initiative serving refugee communities in Kenya.
- Green-hydrogen heavy-duty transport initiative
South Africa
Imperial invested in fuel-cell electric trucks using green hydrogen and partnered with Sasol to explore lower-emission options for heavy-duty, long-haul logistics.
Brand decisions
2022
Sale to DP WorldM&ABackground
DP World sought to expand its global logistics platform through the acquisition of Imperial and its African and international operations.
Action taken
DP World acquired Imperial after Competition Tribunal approval, subject to employee-ownership, employment-protection, and black economic empowerment conditions.
Aftermath
Imperial was acquired for approximately R12.7 billion and subsequently delisted from the JSE.
Acquisition value. Approximately R12.7 billion (2022)
2016
Creation of separately governed logistics and automotive businessesStrategyBackground
The diversified group aimed to give its major operating platforms clearer accountability and more focused governance.
Action taken
Logistics and automotive assets were consolidated into Imperial Logistics and Motus Holdings, each with its own board and executive structures.
Aftermath
Motus later separated from Imperial and listed independently in 2018.
2014
Portfolio restructuringStrategyBackground
Imperial sought to simplify and refocus its diversified portfolio across logistics, automotive, industrial, and financial activities.
Action taken
The group disposed of 55 businesses and 90 properties while acquiring 17 new assets.
Aftermath
The restructuring preceded the later separation of the logistics and automotive businesses.
Recent events
- 2022
Competition Tribunal approves DP World acquisition of Imperial[1]
M&A · Regulation
South Africa’s Competition Tribunal approved DP World’s acquisition of Imperial subject to public-interest conditions involving employee ownership, employment protection, and black economic empowerment.
- 2022
Imperial is acquired by DP World and delisted from the JSE[1]
M&A
DP World acquired Imperial for approximately R12.7 billion. Imperial subsequently ceased trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange after 35 years as a listed company.
- 2022
Competition Tribunal approves DP World acquisition[1]
M&A · Regulation
South Africa’s Competition Tribunal approved DP World’s acquisition of Imperial subject to public-interest commitments covering employee ownership, employment protection and transformation requirements.
- 2022
Imperial is acquired and delisted[1]
M&A · Leadership change
DP World acquired Imperial for approximately R12.7 billion, after which Imperial ceased to be an independently listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
- 2020
Imperial expands healthcare, distribution, and procurement portfolio[1]
M&A
Imperial acquired or increased interests in Kiara Health, Geka Pharma, MDS Logistics, Far East Mercantile, and Axis Group International, and formed a Turkish freight-management partnership with M Ekspres.
- 2020
Imperial expands healthcare and pharmaceutical interests[1]
M&A
The company acquired interests in Kiara Health and Geka Pharma, increasing its exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare services and medical-product distribution.
- 2020
Imperial enters a freight-management partnership with M Ekspres[1]
Other
Imperial partnered with Turkish freight forwarder M Ekspres to establish a multimodal freight-management business focused on traffic to, from and through Turkey.
- 2019
Imperial increases ownership of MDS Logistics[1]
M&A
Imperial raised its holding in Nigeria-based MDS Logistics from 49% to 57%.
- 2019
Imperial increases its stake in MDS Logistics[1]
M&A
Imperial increased its ownership of Nigerian warehousing and distribution company MDS Logistics from 49% to 57%, strengthening its position in West African logistics.
- 2018
Motus Holdings lists separately after separation from Imperial[1]
M&A
Motus Holdings was unbundled from Imperial and listed separately on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, leaving Imperial focused on logistics and related services.
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