UPS Reportedly Considering Purchasing TNT

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PS Inc. is considering buying Netherlands-based logistics giant TNT NV, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing reports in a German newspaper.

UPS officials said the deal was a possibility, according to the German newspaper Die Welt, Bloomberg reported.

"At no time during these discussions did UPS executives specifically discuss individual companies as acquisition targets," a UPS spokesman told Transport Topics Friday in an e-mail statement.

"While press reports have sought to link UPS to a number of European companies, including Exel and TNT, UPS continues to follow its strict policy of never discussing rumors or speculation about specific merger or acquisition targets," the official wrote.

UPS is ranked No. 1 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers. UPS Supply Chain Solutions is ranked No. 2 on the TT Logistics 50 listing of the largest North American logistics companies.

Earlier this month, Deutsche Post, the German parent of DHL, No. 4 on the TT 100, said it would purchase U.K. logistics firm Exel Plc for about $6.5 billion. (Click here for previous coverage.)

Exel unit Exel Americas is ranked No. 1 on the TT Logistics 50, while TNT Logistics North America is ranked No. 7.