International corporate services company Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) has today announced that it has acquired the business of Executive Travel Associates (ETA), the US corporate travel specialist based in Washington DC.
Building on HRG’s existing owned presence in the US and Canada, the acquisition provides an important operational base in one of the country’s leading business centres, and demonstrates HRG’s commitment to expand and strengthen its existing North American offering.
ETA provides highly tailored and flexible programmes to a client portfolio of professional companies, executive groups and government related departments which seek exceptional service in high-touch corporate travel management.
ETA has an experienced management team, led by CEO Ray Pierce, and has achieved consistent growth and a client retention profile very similar to HRG’s. ETA will initially remain operating autonomously but will report to HRG’s North American Division, headed by Regional President, Tom Gleason.
The acquisition of ETA adds to the Group’s owned presence in the USA following its purchase of Sea Gate Travel Group (April 2005) and Robustelli World Travel (February 2006) which, together with HRG’s existing operation in Canada, are now fully integrated and operating as HRG North America with a workforce of approximately 1,600.
David Radcliffe, CEO of Hogg Robinson Group said:
“I am delighted to announce our acquisition of ETA today. ETA’s culture of high client retention and exceptional service has great synergies with HRG. Acquiring a further operational base in North America, particularly in one of the country’s leading business centres, strengthens significantly our presence in the region and is core to our growth strategy. We are fortunate to have acquired a company with the calibre of Ray Pierce and his team and I look forward to the benefits I know they will bring to the Group.”
Ray Pierce, CEO of Executive Travel Associates, said:
“My colleagues and I are delighted to be joining the Hogg Robinson Group. ETA is a business that has been built on providing an extremely high quality service to its clients by a dedicated and highly professional group of employees. As a result, we have a loyal portfolio of clients and members of staff who have been with ETA for many years.
“ETA continues to be a very successful company but we have reached the stage where we need to broaden our horizons to service better our clients’ expanding needs. As part of HRG, ETA’s clients will now have access to a worldwide network which has proven international expertise, advanced technology solutions and a range of services which bring real value to clients corporate travel expenditure. HRG has a very warm culture which mirrors that of ETA. This will not only ensure that the ETA professionals are comfortable with our new ownership but that we embrace the new opportunities presented to us.”
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For further information:
Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
Pippa Lawrence
Tel: +44 (0)20 7467 9211
Email: pippa.lawrence@bisslancaster.com
Hogg Robinson Group enquiries
Jacqui Higgs
Tel: +44 (0) 1256 312619
Email: jacqui.higgs@hrgworldwide.com
Notes to Editors:
Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is the award-winning international corporate services company. Founded in 1845, HRG has over 60 years specific corporate travel expertise. Its corporate services interests include wholly-owned or majority controlled corporate travel operations in 24 of the key driver and growth markets throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Supported by contracted partners, the HRG worldwide network extends to nearly 100 countries.
Totally committed to a value offering for clients, HRG offers a comprehensive range of corporate services which includes travel management, fulfilment services and low cost transactions as well as Consulting, Expense Management, Sports and Events & Meetings Management.