NEW YORK -- Hogg
Robinson acquired Sea Gate Travel Group here and will operate the
brand independently even though the U.K.-based travel management
company already does business in the U.S. through Business Travel
International (BTI).
WorldTravel BTIs
parent, Dutch-owned BCD Holdings, and Hogg Robinson each own 50%
stakes in BTI, a corporate travel business operating in more than
100 countries. World Travel BTI runs the U.S. portion of the BTI
business.
Hogg Robinson didnt
disclose the price of the acquisition, which includes Sea Gates
interest in Advanced Meeting Planners. Sea Gates management will
stay on, Hogg Robinson said, although the name of a new COO will be
announced April 25. In addition, Sea Gates new chairman will be
Roger Westwood, Hogg Robinsons overseas investment
director.
Hogg Robinson said the
acquisition of Sea Gate, which realized $730 million in sales in
2003, gives it a U.S. market entry for its expense and loyalty
management programs.
Asked whether Sea Gate
will compete against BTI in the U.S. and whether Hogg Robinson and
BCD are jockeying for control of BTI, Jackie Higgs, Hogg Robinsons
marketing director, said its business as usual and both parties are
committed to BTIs future.
BTI clients who want a
global solution will continue to work through BTI, if that is what
they want, Higgs added.
To contact
reporter Dennis Schaal, send e-mail to [email protected].