Hogg Robinson yesterday announced its acquisition of Robustelli World Travel, a Stamford, Conn.-based travel management company that will integrate with Hogg's other U.S. holding, Sea Gate Travel Group, to form one operation.
David Radcliffe, CEO of Hogg Robinson said the acquisition of Robustelli World Travel is a "perfect match" that complements Sea Gate's presence in the United States. "We're a major force in North America with Sea Gate, but if the right acquisition comes along we're going to do it," Radcliffe said.
Radcliffe said the name of the new subsidiary travel management company depends on what happens to the BTI name in the aftermath of Hogg Robinson's split from WorldTravel
(BTNonline, Jan. 3). Robustelli WorldTravel was a BCD/World Travel affiliate, a relationship that ended with Hogg's acquisition of the company. Radcliffe insisted the acquisition had nothing to do with its previous partner. "Did we do this because of their affiliation with WorldTravel?" he asked. "No, we didn't. Its just a coincidence."
Tom Gleason, COO of Sea Gate Travel, said the TMC's executive team will remain in place through the integration, with Paul Salvatore as executive vice president of sales in the United States, Dan DeFrancesco as U.S. vice president of sales and Rick Robustelli as senior vice president of business development.
"Robustelli is a very high-end corporate travel company that mixes well with our company," Gleason said. "They are a natural partner for us and we pick up some great people at the same time."
Robustelli will retain its Stamford offices, though Sea Gate's New York office will serve as headquarters for the new company that-as Radcliffe noted-will work closely with BTI Canada, a Canadian travel management company also owned by Hogg Robinson.