Oct 09, Colombo: Norbert Dentressangle, the French transport service provider has taken over the freight forwarding operations of the Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Group.

The French firm on October 1st completed the acquisition of the JKH operations that employ 120 people.

The JKH freight forwarding operations with a network of six offices in India, covering the main coastal regions, plus another two in Sri Lanka has reported earnings of US$ 10 million in 2011.

Norbert Dentressangle said the acquisition enables to strengthen its growing freight forwarding business, in line with its strategy, and to gain a foothold in the fast-growing Indian and Sri Lankan markets.

"After the acquisition of APC Beijing International in China at the end of 2011, the acquisition of a reliable, recognised major Indian and Sri Lankan freight forwarding player means the Asian continent is now well served by the Group's operations," the Company said in a release.

Norbert Dentressangle's freight forwarding business now has a network of 52 offices and 600 employees operating in 13 countries on 3 continents.