Global Critical Logistics acquires Asesores de Flete

Los Angeles-based Global Critical Logistics has acquired Madrid based forwarder Asesores de Flete (ADF), a provider of mission-critical logistics services to the live event, entertainment, sports, and broadcast industries.

ADF will be integrated under GCL’s Rock-it Global brand, one of the leading providers of logistics to the global live touring industry.

Together with Rock-it Global’s expansive presence in Latin America, the ADF acquisition solidifies Rock-it Global’s in-house capabilities to serve customers throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Rock-it Global is a provider of high-touch, mission-critical air, ocean, and surface freight forwarding and logistics services for the live entertainment and music touring, sports, broadcasting, corporate events, and tradeshow end markets.

“Establishing a company-owned presence in Spain not only strengthens our geographic footprint in continental Europe but also gives us direct access to customers in key end markets within the region,” says Paul J. Martins, Global Critical Logistics’s CEO and president.

“We are always looking for strategic opportunities to grow the business, enhance our value proposition to customers, and expand service offerings across the world.

“Establishing a company-owned presence in Spain gives us direct access to customers in key markets in the region”

“The acquisition of ADF builds on our strategy of enhancing capabilities to target customers in high growth industries such as live events, music touring, sports, broadcast, and film and television production.”

ADF will continue to be led by founder and MD Carlos Arauz Sanchez.

“For more than 30 years, ADF has focused on providing a customised service to very demanding clients,” says Arauz.

“Joining the GCL family of companies and spearheading Rock-it Global’s efforts in Spain is an exciting step for our team since we are culturally aligned and have the same passion for providing outstanding service.

“We believe this partnership will further allow us to leverage a global network and shared resources for our existing customers, whilst continuing to deliver critical solutions in Spain and the region.”

Founded in 1987, ADF includes an experienced team of authorised in-house Customs experts and specialises in critical, zero-tolerance for failure projects serving customers around the globe.

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KB Events appoints Richard Burnett as MD

UK-based specialist transport firm KB Events has appointed veteran Richard Burnett as managing director.

Burnett joins from the Road Haulage Association, where he spent seven years transforming the organisation and growing the company’s profile and membership.

During his 37-year career in logistics, Burnett has worked for well-known businesses including TDG, Wincanton, Hays and Samworth Brothers, looking after high street names such as Heinz, GSK, Tesco and Adidas.

Burnett has also served as an expert voice on the challenges faced by European concert hauliers, post-Brexit.

“Richard’s appointment brings with it a fresh approach and heralds the start of a new and exciting era for us all”

KB Event’s current MD, Stuart McPherson, will remain in the business as the firm’s CEO, supporting Burnett and the rest of the team.

“As KB Event continues to adapt and to overcome the challenges presented by both Brexit and the pandemic, Richard’s appointment as managing director brings with it a fresh approach and heralds the start of a new and exciting era for us all,” reads a statement from the company.

KB events, based in Derbyshire in the UK, has “vast experience” of trucking music events, from festivals and concerts, to operas and worldwide stadium tours.

Clients include V Festival, Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, Download, Isle of Wight, T in the Park, Wireless, Stereophonics, The 1975, Rod Stewart and Ed Sheeran.

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Industry vets launch freight forwarding company

Freight Minds, a new freight forwarding company for live events, has been established.

The UK-based company will offer services including air passenger and cargo charter, warehousing and logistics, couriers, ATA Carnets, and Brexit-related customs clearance services both into and out of the UK via road.

Located at London’s Heathrow Airport, a statement from Freight Minds says it’s “perfectly positioned for all air freight imports and exports, both into and out of the UK and around the world”.

The new venture was founded by industry veterans Alan Durrant, Geoff Knight and Matt Wright, and is completed by fellow expert Chris Jenkins.

“Between us, we have worked with some of the biggest names in the business in recent years, and we are delighted to be putting all that experience and knowledge into our new company,” says Wright.

“This is a brilliant opportunity to build a new post-Brexit and post-Covid business from the ground up”

“This is a brilliant opportunity to build a new post-Brexit and post-Covid business from the ground up in the way it should be done — with our clients’ priorities at the forefront.”

Knight adds: “It’s a whole new ballgame coming out the other side of Brexit and Covid, and we look forward to working with customers old and new over the coming months.

“Volumes are starting to ramp up again and, with well-publicised problems regarding freight logistics at the forefront of many people’s minds, we have the expertise and experience to continue to get the job done.”

Durrant comments: “Freight Minds allows us to establish a brand new company that is lean, agile, and responsive from the start.

“The ever-shifting patchwork of international regulations have only been made more complex by Covid, but we have over 120 years of combined experience at the forefront of this business and the expertise to make sure our clients’ shipments get where they need to go on time and within budget.”

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