TRX Buys Its European Ops, Plans Expansion In India

TRX Inc. is exploring the creation of fulfillment operations in India as part of a global expansion plan that, in the coming year, also will include Australia and Italy. TRX revealed the plans today as it announced the purchase of its own European operations from joint venture partners Hogg Robinson Plc. and Kuoni. The transaction includes businesses in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, whose clients include Expedia, Hogg Robinson BTI, Portman Travel and Rosenbluth.

"The structure we set up in 1999 with our joint venture partners was designed to get a footprint in Europe and a program with our big clients, and we hit an A-plus in terms of success over the past four years," said TRX president and CEO Trip Davis, noting that the company is "going where our major clients ask us to go."

TRX executive vice president for Europe Peter Grover will continue to lead its 600-employee European team. Meanwhile, TRX recently hired Vic Pynn, who helped set up operations in India and the Philippines during a 15-year career at American Express, to be vice president of global solutions. Although he declined an interview with Business Travel News because of "all the irons he's got in the fire," said a spokesperson, it's clear that Pynn is onboard to jumpstart offshoring at TRX and potentially such client agencies as WorldTravel BTI.