Cargo-partner buys ACF for expansion

Cargo-partner has continued its expansion with the purchase of Australia-based forwarder Associated Customs & Forwarding (ACF).

ACF is an IATA-accredited service provider for air and sea freight, customs brokerage and contract logistics.

The company operates 3,000 sq m of warehouse space in Sydney, including a bonded warehouse with in-house customs clearance as well as a quarantine warehouse serving the requirements of Australian import procedures.

Cargo-partner, which is already present in the country with a Melbourne office, said ACF’s “key fields of expertise lies in e-commerce” which is also one of its strategic focus areas.

“Having already made similar steps in Germany by acquiring the e-commerce specialist Repalog in April 2021, this merger is an additional commitment from cargo-partner to further invest and strengthen its presence and expertise in this segment,” cargo-partner said in a press release.

“With the addition of ACF’s comprehensive local handling and customs services to its portfolio, cargo-partner can now offer efficient end-to-end e-fulfillment solutions for customers throughout Australia.”

Stefan Krauter, chief executive of cargo-partner, added: “Our partnership with ACF complements our existing service and product portfolio thanks to ACF’s expertise in logistics, value added services as well as domestic transport solutions.

“With the addition of Sydney and Brisbane to our network, we can now cover the entire east coast of Australia. At the same time, customers of ACF will benefit from cargo-partner’s comprehensive network of offices, warehouses and experienced teams around the globe.”

Both companies use the CargoWise logistics platform which cargo-partner said would help simplify the integration of ACF.