ECS Group has consolidated its position in Scandinavia with the acquisition of Heavyweight Freight (HWF Group), a cargo general sales and services agent (GSSA) with offices throughout the Nordic region.
Bertrand Schmoll, ECS Group chairman and chief executive, said: “Heavyweight Freight is an excellent GSSA, managed by experienced people who have come through some of the best ‘schools’ of freight and who know the market well.”
Prior to forming HWF Group in 2006, current managing director Sören Björkman worked for a number of companies, including SAS and Panalpina.
Co-owner Torbjörn Lundblad held senior roles with DHL Aviation and Martinair. In Denmark, Nicolaj Mariegaard, managing director and co-owner, has a strong background in the industry gained with DHL Aviation and Martinair.
Employing 23 people at its bases in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, HWF Group sold around 20 000 tonnes of freight capacity in 2013 on behalf of its airline partners. Its airline portfolio includes Air Canada, Centurion Cargo, DHL Aviation, Saudi, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines.
Schmoll added: “ECS Group’s strategy is to strengthen its expertise and airline relationships by working with the best people in this business. Putting flags on a map or simply gaining market share is neither a satisfactory nor a sufficient goal.”
HWF Group will complement ECS Group’s other companies in Scandinavia: Nordic GSA and Universal GSA, reinforcing links with airlines that the group already represents in other countries and connecting with airlines that are new customers within the group or the region.
Björkman commented: “ECS is a global leader in our field, with a reputation for good practice, management and systems, and so it is a privilege to become part of the group.”
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