For
Immediate Release
PBB
Global Logistics Acquires Clarke Logistics
Creates
leading provider of cross-border logistics,
transportation management services
Fort
Erie, Ontario –July 5, 2004 –Today’s
shipper is looking increasingly to third
party transportation management providers
to handle the complexities of moving
freight across the continent. Such providers
are proving highly effective in managing
long-distance shipments on behalf of
customers, often implementing an ideal
intermodal mix that combines expeditious
truck transportation with cost-efficient
rail transportation.
PBB Global Logistics’acquisition
of Clarke Logistics, a division of Clarke Inc.,
completed earlier today, takes advantage of
this emerging trend and positions the company
as a leading force in cross-border North American
logistics.
“This is a
very large and important acquisition for PBB,”says
Mike Scott, President and CEO, PBB Global Logistics. “It
expands our service offering, enlarges our
network of locations and enhances our logistics
resources, particularly by adding intermodal
service to our North American Transportation
capabilities.”
Clarke Logistics
manages the movement of goods through rail,
truck and intermodal transport between Canada,
the United States and Mexico, as well as domestically
in the United States.
It is one of the largest transportation management
provider in the North American transborder intermodal
rail market, handling freight for over 2,200
customers through a supplier network of 650 trucking
carriers and all major railroads across the continent.
The breadth of these
rail and trucking carrier relationships, combined
with volume-buying power, are key to obtaining
cost-effective rates for customers, while ensuring
top-notch delivery performance. By comparison,
many shippers who are used to dealing directly
with only a handful of carriers report facing
recent availability and cost challenges as
their traditional suppliers are forced to cope
with rising diesel costs, higher insurance
premiums, driver shortages fueled by new Hours
of Service regulations and traffic-related
delays at key border points.
In addition to introducing
key rail and intermodal capabilities to PBB’s
service offering, the acquisition triples its
North American Transportation volumes. PBB’s
North American Transportation service currently
delivers highly flexible door-to-door FTL and
LTL transport throughout the continent, while
ensuring cost effectiveness, shipment visibility
and customer service. Through this service,
PBB provides transportation management for
customers in almost all sectors of the economy,
including those with stringent temperature-controlled
requirements such as food and beverage.
Clarke Logistics
also enhances PBB’s capacity and flexibility
in providing complete supply chain solutions
on behalf of its customers, typically involving
integrated logistics services such as Customs
Brokerage, International Freight Forwarding,
Warehousing & Distribution and Trade & Regulatory
Services.
“With Clarke
Logistics, we are extending PBB’s leadership
in cross-border logistics,”says Mr. Scott. “From
trade planning to transportation, from customs
clearance to warehousing, PBB has the expertise
and capacity to plan and execute integrated
cross-border supply chain solutions customized
to our clients’needs.”
Clarke Logistics’130
employees brings PBB’s total workforce
to 1,100 and adds 14 locations to its North
American network. This includes major operations
in Philadelphia and Memphis, key U.S. logistics
hubs, as well as a presence in Mexico with
two locations. With these additions, PBB’s
network of offices grows to 85 locations in
North America and China.
“Clarke Logistics
is excited to be joining forces with PBB,”says
Doug Payne, President, Clarke Logistics, who
assumes a senior management position with PBB.
The acquisition introduces important synergies
to Clarke Logistics’operations. PBB’s
customs brokerage and distribution expertise
represent an opportunity for customers to generate
efficiencies through an integrated northbound
and southbound supply chain. PBB also offers
significant global logistics capabilities to
Clarke Logistics’customers, particularly
in the burgeoning China-North America trade
lane.
PBB Global
Logistics is a leading provider of third party
international logistics services, facilitating
the movement of goods across North America
and around the world. Founded in 1946, PBB
has expanded its core customs brokerage and
freight operations and now provides supply
chain solutions, from the point of origin of
goods to the point of consumption, as well
as corporate travel management and professional
trade services. With approximately 1,100 employees
in over 80 strategic locations throughout North
America and an established global network of
logistics service providers, PBB has the technology,
expertise, and infrastructure to meet every
supply chain need. PBB Global Logistics is
a wholly owned subsidiary of PBB Global Logistics
Income Fund with units trading on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol PBB.UN.
For
more information contact:
1-800-924-4466 ext.3634
info@pbb.com
www.pbb.com
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