PHILADELPHIA, Pa., USA, ANTWERP, BELGIUM, January 28, 2004 —BDP International® (BDP), a leading privately held global logistics and transportation services company, has acquired a majority interest in the transportation division of Merlin Logistics GmbH, Kriftel, Germany, and full ownership of ACTA S.A.S., Paris, France. The new subsidiaries will be registered and conduct business as BDP International, GmbH, and BDP International S.A.S. respectively.
In addition, following the approval of its Board of Directors earlier this month, BDP will complete the phased acquisition of T.I.nv, a Belgium-based international logistics firm, in which it acquired a 50 percent equity interest in 2002. Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of BDP International effective February 1, the company, with offices in Antwerp, Bangkok, Brussels and Singapore, will begin conducting business as BDPti and serve as the headquarters/hub for BDP operations in Europe.
“BDP has been taking progressive steps to build upon its infrastructure and service portfolio in Europe to help our multinational customers globalize their logistics processes and grow,” said Richard J. Bolte, Jr., president of BDP International. “Acquiring a majority stake and ownership in the Merlin Logistics Transportation unit and ACTA and completing the T.I. combination represent key steps in this customer-driven strategy.
“Since the inception of our Global Network more than a decade ago,” he added, “BDP has been guided by a goal to pool our strengths with organizations which we complement, companies with good reputations and solid infrastructures within their geographic spheres of operation, and proven competence in what they do and where they do it. Merlin Logistics and ACTA embody those qualities. As a company whose strategic path is driven by its customers, we want to sustain those same values as we prudently broaden the BDP footprint in Europe.
“We place high value on the management teams and employees of these two fine companies and respect the in-depth knowledge of the European business environment, which they possess. As we integrate to make our combined service portfolio stronger for international companies doing business in Europe, BDP will provide the technology tools and support necessary to help our united organization become even more effective. We look forward to learning and growing together.”
Established in 1994, Merlin Logistics has 200 employees with headquarters and central warehousing facilities in Kriftel, Germany near Frankfurt. The company also has offices in Hamburg, Duesseldorf, Stuttgart and Munich. Its service portfolio comprises a range of transportation / logistics services, as well as value-added competencies including cost analysis, process control and procurement, manufacturing, storage, dispatch and recycling of industrial goods.
“The formal establishment of BDP International, GmbH raises the joint venture between Merlin Logistics and BDP in Europe to a new level of effectiveness for our customers, trade allies and employees,” said Alexander Ruf, managing director, Merlin Logistics, GmbH and the newly formed company BDP International, GmbH. “It is a combination that will extend value through process improvements and economies of scale, adding a sustainable competitive edge to the supply chains of our customers who do business between Germany and major markets around the world.”
ACTA S.A.S. specializes in export and import logistics in France, where it operates a hub in Paris. Its core service portfolio includes freight forwarding, Customs brokerage, ocean break-bulk, project and energy logistics and multi-modal transport to landlocked countries. Among ACTA’s industrial clients are the auto parts aftermarket, worldwide hydroelectric power plant construction and well drilling, computers and electrical equipment. The company has developed regional expertise in African transport infrastructures with a substantial track record of experience in Angola, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
“In joining the BDP family of companies, ACTA and its customers will enjoy the benefits of an extensive Global Network, which leverages upon its volume transportation procurement and information infrastructure,” said Michel Henrotte, managing director of ACTA SAS. “This is a progressive step forward for our company and its valued customers.”
For further information in Europe, South America and North America, contact:
Arnie Bornstein,
Director - Marketing and Corporate Communications,
BDP International, Inc..
Phone: 215-629-8493
fax: 215-629-8995
e-mail: abornstein@bdpnet.com
For further information in Europe, contact:
Sigrid Juergens,
BDPti,
Braderijstraat 11, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
Phone:32-3-234-57-11;
fax: 32-3-232-31-20;
e-mail: sjue@ti.be
About BDP
BDP International is one of the leading privately held freight logistics / transportation management firms in the U.S. It operates freight logistics centers in more than 20 cities throughout North America and a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures and strategic partnerships in 140 countries. The company serves more than 4,000 customers worldwide. Clients include Bayer, Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, Heineken USA, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Osram Sylvania, Revlon, Rohm & Haas, Trek Bicycle, Wacker, and others. BDP provides a range of services, including ocean, air and ground transportation; 4PL lead logistics process analysis, design and management; export freight forwarding; import customs brokerage and regulatory compliance; project logistics; warehousing/consolidation/distribution; and Internet shipping transaction/tracking management systems.
