Allport merges with CS Logistics

Allport merges with CS Logistics    U.K. freight forwarder Allport will merge with CS Logistics Holdings Ltd., the parent company of Cargo Services Far East Ltd., which has operations in Hong Kong and China.
   The two companies have worked together for 20 years by creating the Far East Cargo Line non-vessel-operating common carrier network; setting up joint ventures in countries such as South Africa, Singapore, Thailand and Korea; and providing services to shippers in Australia-New Zealand, South America, North America, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.
   Allport was founded about 50 years ago by Will Toye and John Clayton, who retain a minority stake in the new venture. CS Logistics Holdings, which was started in 1990 by John Lau, with Allport taking a shareholding from its inception, now has 28 offices in Hong Kong and mainland China with more than 4,200 staff.
   The restructured business, which will continue to operate under the two existing names, manages more than 700,000 ocean container movements worldwide annually, as well as operating air freight services and pre-retail origin logistics.
   Allport's senior management has implemented a succession plan, with current group managing director and deputy group managing director — Derek Davis and Danny Toye — moving to non-executive roles, giving way to Chris Cargill and Jerry Gray, respectively.
   Allport's founders, together with Cargill and Gray, will retain a 10 percent stake in the company. In addition, HSBC has become a strategic financial partner of the group.