ECS acquires three Italian companies to create biggest GSSA in Italy

PARIS-headquartered ECS Group, the world's largest GSSA organisation, has acquired three companies in Italy founded by Glauco Martinelli of Air Transport Consultants Spa (ATC), Airfreight and Data Processing Srl (ADP) and Airline Logistics Srl (AirLog).

The acquisitions position ECS as a market leader within the Italian cargo market following on from a new presence in Venice and Florence.

"ATC and ADP are the biggest GSSAs in Italy and were arguably the biggest independent GSSA in Europe," said ECS Group president Bertrand Schmoll. "We have known these companies for many years and have always respected their professionalism and integrity."

ATC was founded in 1980 and is the leading air cargo general sales and service agent in Italy employing up to 34 staff. It is based in Milan and has offices in Rome, Venice and Florence.

ADP was launched in 1995. Together with ATC, the company has been recognised as the best GSSA in Italy for the last 10 years by ANAMA, the Association of Italian Forwarding Agents. ADP has 23 employees. ADP is based in Milan and has regional offices providing full coverage of the territory.

AirLog was established in 1996 as a cargo handling company to support the airline customers of ATC and ADP. It was founded with the aim of providing airlines with operational and administrative support for import and export air freight. AirLog's 41 staff operates from its two airport locations in Milan and Rome.