MAERSK announced it had come to an agreement to acquire US-based customs brokerage and logistics business Vandergrift.
Maersk North America regional managing director Narin Phol said the New Jersey company would enable Maersk to provide customers with individualised customs brokerage and compliance programs that identify risk.
“This customer advocate role, coupled with our supply chain assets and global scale creates winning end-to-end solutions for companies intent on competing better in 2019,” he said.
Vandegrift CEO Mitch Scher said joining Maersk represented an important opportunity to grow Vandergrift’s customs brokerage business by combining the companies’ professional services into one team.
“Maersk’s role in global trade is truly special and we are thrilled to join them on their journey as the integrator of container logistics,” he said.
Maersk head of global logistics and services Klaus Rud Sejling said customers had been asking to simplify the complexity of their global supply chains and reduce their risk.
“So, we analysed the North America market to see who had the best reputation in the brokerage/trade compliance industry and deliver immediate results to all vertical segments of our account base,” he said.
“Our findings identified Vandegrift’s top tier, professional service provider reputation, strong operating platform of services, stellar people and culture ideally fit our expectations and commercial approach as one company.”
Vandegrift is a customs brokerage business established in 1951 which has evolved to meet the changing needs of international trade, industry trends and client commitments. Based in Clark, New Jersey US, the core business is customs brokerage with 170 people in twelve offices.
The company also specialises in trade compliance with a team of former US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials as well as individuals with backgrounds in customs brokerage, retail and law.
“We believe we have an opportunity to better design a more holistic customs brokerage and trade compliance plan and overarching strategy for customers,” Mr Sejling said.
“This will set them up for long term success, improve their cost and risk structures and use our combined team expertise, digital tools and process improvement thanks to this acquisition.”
