ATC Aviation Services (ATC), the German general sales and service agent (GSSA), has taken a majority stake in a South American counterpart, Pacific Feeder Services (PFS), in a deal that took three years to negotiate.
The link-up, described as «the perfect symbiosis for the South American market» was signed last week in Santiago de Chile by Ingo Zimmer, chief executive of ATC, and Mark Thiermann, managing director of PFS’ Chilean parent, GrupoPFS.
Airlines represented by ATC and PFS in South America are: Aeromexico, Aerolineas Argentinas, American Airlines, CAL Cargo Airlines, Cargolux Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, GOL Linhas Aereas, Silkway, Korean Air, Peruvian Airlines, Tame Airlines, Saudia Cargo, Royal Air Maroc and Solar Cargo.
Frankfurt-headquartered ATC said that the deal will «combine the strengths of both companies, increase global presence and create a robust portfolio that can benefit from growth trend over the long term».
Thiermann said: “PFS and ATC are now one combined company in South America. We will direct all our efforts towards ensuring that our customers will benefit from our new group. With global reach and top local expertise, we are in a good position when it comes to supporting our partner airlines’ growth.”
A joint statement by the two partners said that customers of PFS will «hardly feel these changes», adding that the GSSA’s experienced team will remain at their disposal and continue with «business as usual».
It added: «Customers will benefit from the strengths and reliability of both companies in the future, as well as through the international network with branches in Europe, USA, Canada, Africa and Asia.»
ATC’s Zimmer said: “Together we will achieve strong and complementary positions in South America’s key export markets, creating a broader and more balanced portfolio. This purchase is a further step to complete our mission to become the world leading cargo GSSA”.
PFS will eventually operate under the ATC name. Until the transition has been completed, the partners will have a joint presence in the market. After the transition period of one year, GrupoPFS will operate under the ATC Group branding.
The ATC Group, a member of World Freight Company, achieved a turnover of €350m the financial year 2017. With around 200+ employees, ATC is represented in more than 20 countries.
Established in 1993, GrupoPFS is one of the leading GSSAs in Latin America. With offices in the main cities and airports of Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia, GrupoPFS provides a variety of services, including cargo and passenger GSA, cargo handling, accounting and administration, as well as legal representation.
that the company’s experienced team will remain at their disposal and continue business as usual.
Fuente: Air Cargo News
