Irish tech logistics giant acquires US firm


5 Feb 2007

Dublin-headquartered Walsh Western International (WWI), which provides pan-European logistics services to technology players like Dell and PC World, has acquired a US-based supply chain firm that concentrates on the automotive sector.

The companies’ combined revenues will reach US$700m.

WWI, which is headed by brothers Brian and Michael Enright, employs 2,000 people and manages 18 logistics sites in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.

The company has acquired Atlanta-based TDS Logistics, which employs 7,000 people across 36 logistics sites in the US, Canada, Belgium, Brazil, the UK, China and Germany.

The combined entity will have a turnover of US$700m and will be a global provider of supply chain solutions for the technology sector and automotives industry.

“WWI specialises in providing end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions based on leading-edge technology, innovative thinking and design to deliver cost savings and competitive advantage to our customers,” said WWI chairman Michael Enright.

“This acquisition is a merging of skills which will result in Walsh Western being better equipped to service our existing client base and offer that high standard on a global scale,” Enright said.

Over the next month, the newly merged companies will roll out a full rebranding of its name and image.

WWI was advised by corporate finance firm Europa Partners, legal firms Matheson Ormsby Prentice and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and as financial advisors KPMG.

By John Kennedy