8/22/2006

Polish Acquisition for Hogg Robinson Group

International corporate services company Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) has further strengthened its presence in Eastern Europe with the acquisition of BTI Polska.

BTI Polska was founded in 1984 by current Managing Director Katarzyna Hryniewicz and is regarded as one of Poland’s leading independent travel management companies. It has a network of offices across the country and extensive experience servicing both national and multinational clients.

With immediate effect, BTI Polska will trade as HRG Polska and will have migrated completely to the HRG brand by the end of November in line with all Hogg Robinson owned companies and its worldwide network.

The company’s positive approach to client service, combined with Hogg Robinson’s integration expertise, will help to ensure a smooth and successful transition for HRG Polska into the Hogg Robinson Group.

Coming just weeks after Hogg Robinson’s acquisitions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this latest development consolidates the company’s capabilities across this developing region. In recent years, and following its accession to the European Union (EU), the Polish economy has experienced continued development and now provides over half the economic output of the enlarged EU’s new members*. Industry experts** noted an acceleration in the Polish economy during the latter half of 2005, combined with significant foreign trade throughout the year, and this positive trend is expected to continue.

Commenting on the acquisition, David Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Hogg Robinson Group, commented:

- I am delighted to welcome Katarzyna and her colleagues to the Hogg Robinson Group. Katarzyna and the management team have built an excellent reputation for their company - one that is synonymous with quality service. We have worked well with Katarzyna over the last twelve years and have established a good working relationship with her and her people. We are all looking forward to welcoming them into our Company.” * Index of Economic Freedom 2006 **Polishmarket.com, Poland.gov.pl, Polandtrade.com. He continued:

- Coming soon after our Czech and Slovakian acquisitions, this is yet another example of our commitment to having a strong presence in all the key driver and growth markets worldwide. Eastern Europe is becoming an increasingly important market and having a strong presence in Poland is essential for us. BTI Polska’s expertise in corporate travel and its specialist knowledge of the events and meetings market will add to the range of services we are able to offer to our clients.”

Katarzyna Hryniewicz, Managing Director of the Polish operation, added:

- For us, this change in ownership is a new chapter in our development and has obvious mutual benefits: we will become an integral part of one of the largest and most respected global travel management organisations and HRG will gain a highly respected TMC in the Polish market with an impressive portfolio of clients with whom we have long-term relationships. I believe our staff will have wider opportunities to develop their careers and the company will benefit from HRG’s technology and global expertise.

- All of this will, I believe, be advantageous to our existing and future clients by providing them with access to quality travel solutions, higher levels of professional service and increased cost effectiveness.

- This latest acquisition brings the number of countries in which Hogg Robinson has wholly owned and majority controlled companies to twenty-four. Together with the contracted partners covering a further sixty-five countries, the HRG worldwide network extends to almost ninety countries. It is one of the leading corporate service providers, specialising in business travel, in the world.

Source:boarding.no



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