D.J. Powers acquires Norfolk-based customs broker

The freight forwarder and customs broker has merged with Fred P. Gaskell Co. of Norfolk, Va., effective Nov. 1, 2016, according to a statement from the company.    Savannah, Ga.-based freight forwarder and customs broker D.J. Powers Company, Inc. has merged with Fred P. Gaskell Co. of Norfolk, Va., effective Nov. 1, 2016, the company said in a statement.
   Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
   “Gaskell has built a solid reputation in the maritime industry throughout the many years it has been in operation, and has maintained a strong customer base developed through its reputation for consistent, quality work and high level of customer service,” D.J. Powers President Rhett Willis said in a statement. “These are the qualities that we value at D. J. Powers, and our similar philosophy of quality service, high level of integrity in our operations, and strong customer service made this merger work so well.
  “We are also very focused on the future, and this merger allows D. J. Powers to provide enhanced support with industry leading IT, industry expertise and compliance services to complement Gaskell’s experienced personnel and loyal customer base,” he added.
   D.J. Powers, which specializes in global logistics services for a wide variety of commodities such as chemicals, minerals, machinery, frozen foods, vehicles, consumer goods and bulk minerals, has offices in Charleston, S.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga; Brunswick, Ga; and Memphis, Tenn.; along with four overseas offices in Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Shanghai, Shenzhen and Ningbo, China.