The acquisition marks the latest phase of SEKO’s global expansion. In under 12 months, SEKO has expanded into Mexico, with the opening of locations in Laredo/Nuevo Laredo, McAllen/Reynosa, Mexico City, Monterrey, Toluca and Queretaro, announced a new strategic partnership with Hermes Germany and acquired a majority shareholding in longstanding strategic partner Omni-Channel Logistics.
GoodShip International provides customs brokerage, compliance, air and ocean freight solutions to a broad spectrum of clients with emphasis on the Trans-Pacific Eastbound cargo movements, across the aerospace, automotive, electronics, FMCG, healthcare, pharma and retail industries.
“GoodShip is a perfect example of the type of company we had in mind when we announced our expansion strategy earlier this year,” said SEKO’s President and CEO James Gagne. “2018 has been another strong year for SEKO but after 42 years of organic growth, it is time to enhance our strategy to step up to the next level by working with the right types of strategic partners and undertaking acquisitions to enhance our technology, network and capabilities.”
The addition of GoodShip International will also build the capabilities of SEKO’s Chicago Gateway, which offers support to international shippers. Further expansion of SEKO’s Midwest operations will be announced in the second quarter of 2019.
Ryan Villiard, President of GoodShip, also commented. “We are genuinely excited by SEKO’s ambition and the pace with which it intends to grow. We can clearly see how we fit into SEKO’s business to support its growing portfolio of value-added forwarding solutions. Most significantly, GoodShip’s clients will now have access to the resources and expertise of a single logistics company that possesses a worldwide footprint, key technology differentiators, and award-winning forwarding, omni-channel, cross-border e-commerce, and White Glove services. This is a great move for our company, our employees and customers.”