U.K. corporate
travel agency Hogg Robinson pumped up its U.S. holdings by
acquiring sports travel management company Robustelli World Travel
and merging it with Sea Gate Travel.
The merger of New
York-based Sea Gate with Stamford, Conn.-headquartered Robustelli
will likely be followed by other moves in the U.S. by Hogg
Robinson.
We are going to
still grow, and we are looking at more acquisitions, more
opportunities throughout the U.S., said Tom Gleason, COO of Sea
Gate, which Hogg Robinson acquired last April. Where it fits, well
be making the right offers.
Hogg Robinson, which also
owns BTI Canada, did about $12 billion in 2005 sales and operates
wholly owned units in 21 countries, employing nearly 8,000
people. Through its partner network it
has a presence in about 100 countries.
When you are
sitting down with most corporate accounts today, they are looking
for a global company, a solutions company and a company providing a
total product offering, Gleason said.
He said that
Robustelli, founded by former New York Giant and Pro Football Hall
of Fame member Andy Robustelli, fits well with Sea Gate because of
its full-service offering and team-oriented culture.
Both companies,
Gleason added, have event and sports travel management businesses
and offer back-end solutions.
Robustelli
executives Rick Robustelli, Paul Salvatore and Dan DeFrancesco will
be integrated into Hogg Robinsons senior management team in the
U.S. Robustellis 100-person workforce is expected to be retained,
Gleason said.
However, the
Robustelli brand will be phased out, and Gleason said discussions
are under way regarding the name Sea Gate will use for marketing
purposes.
Hogg Robinsons
acquisition of Robustelli ends Robustellis business relationship
with WorldTravel BTI. Robustelli was a member of the WorldTravel
Affiliate program.
Sea Gate compiled
about $750 million in sales in 2004 and employs about 350 people.
Gleason declined to provide figures on Robustelli.
To contact
reporter Dennis Schaal, send e-mail to [email protected].