Trans Ocean Distribution joins JF HILLEBRAND Group to create the world’s leading company in liquids logistics.

London-JF Hillebrand Group, the world’s leading provider of logistic services to the beverage industry, has acquired 100% of the shares of Trans Ocean Distribution Limited, the leading and most innovative provider of transportation solutions to the bulk liquid shipping industry. Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, JF Hillebrand employs 1000 people in 36 offices located in 22 countries throughout the world. The company reported a €500 million turnover in 2006. 

Trans Ocean Distribution, headquartered in Southampton, UK, employs 250 people in 6 offices globally, and reported a €76 million turnover in 2006. The combination of Trans Ocean Distribution’s unique and proven expertise in designing and manufacturing flexitanks for non-hazardous bulk liquids, alongside JF Hillebrand’s leading position in global beverage logistics, will offer to the beverage industry a strong market leader that can tailor a full and unique range of service solutions to a wide spectrum of logistics requirements.  

JF Hillebrand Group’s global presence and expertise in freight forwarding, development of tracking tools and ocean freight management will supplement and support Trans Ocean Distribution’s development of their strong market position in industrial, food and latex products transportation. Considering the growth opportunities in both the market for beverage logistics, and in the development of flexitank solutions for other markets, the JF Hillebrand and Trans Ocean Distribution management teams believe the combined organizational skills of both companies will be complimentary in locations where both companies presently operate. 

Both management teams are enthusiastic about future development opportunities, and will together prepare a new organisational framework that will maintain the two existing brand names and optimise the high level of expertise existing within the two organisations. Brendan McKenna, President of Trans Ocean Distribution, will join the Executive Board of JF Hillebrand Group. The Board of Trans Ocean Distribution was advised by Houlihan Lokey in connection with the transaction.

Environmental and economic concerns force businesses to address supply chain inefficiencies

Fuel prices, interest rates, carbon footprints and long, complex supply chains are all playing a part in a new trend that is seeing more companies than ever turn their attention to supply chain inefficiencies. This trend is highlighted by supply chain experts Barloworld Optimus, who today announced impressive sales for the last quarter of 2006 as businesses realise the major benefits that can be achieved through effective supply chain planning and management. 

Barloworld Optimus has blown apart its new business sales targets, recording the highest number of new deals closed in a single quarter during its 20 year history. The period (Sep06-Dec06) saw a 70% rise in closed deals in comparison to the same period last year. Significantly, there was also a notable increase in the number of small and medium sized firms looking to improve the efficiencies of their supply chains. More

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