TruckandTrackWinter2019FB

Truck and Track Winter 2019 www.truckandtrack.com 12 BUSINESS NEWS In the light of its strategy of growth, DKV Mobility Services Group, one of Europe’s foremost mobility service providers, has acquired Dutch companies Alfa Transport Service VoF (ATS) and Alfa Commercial Finance BV (ACF). The acquisition of ATS complements the present refund business operations of DKV Group – reclaiming and refunding of VAT on goods and services purchased abroad – and broadens its customer basis. To DKV, its acquisition of ACFmeans an extension of its service portfolio by way of new financial services like factoring – in which a company assigns outstanding debts to a financial services institute. Marco van Kalleveen, CEO of DKV Mobility Services Group comments: “To us, both these acquisitions mean a substantial expansion in line with our strategy of growth. Apart from our core activity, fuel cards and toll services, we also discern great potential in areas like VAT-refunding and Financial Services. As Europe’s leading mobility service provider we can expand our integrated service portfolio this way.” The Group is confident that these acquisitions will mean reinforcement of the core business and this investment will expand our portfolio by adding financial services. ATS directors Frank and Bert Dijkstra: “In the past 30 years, and together with all our people, we have developed ATS into a prominent and internationally reputed partner of haulage and oil companies and fuel card providers. In DKV Groupwe have found the ideal partner on our way to continued fruitful development of our enterprise.” Bart Romeijn, CEO of ACF: “ACF is a prominent bank-independent provider of factoring services. Our financial services help our customers on their way to sustainable business operations and a minimised risk of insolvency due to outstanding customer debts. Together with DKV we will be able to further reinforce and expand this business.” ATS and ACF are to be accommodated as independent entities under the umbrella of DKV Group. The acquisitions will not involve any change to be introduced among existing customers of either company. Parties have agreed to treat the transaction amount as confidential. DKV continues growth by acquisition of Alfa Transport Services VoF & Alfa Commercial Finance BV in the Netherlands Reinforcement & expansion of VAT-refunding & financial services From left: REMOBIS director Michiel Stekelenburg, DKV CEOMarco van Kalleveen, DKV CFO Dr. Werner Grünewald together with Frank and Bert Dijkstra, both of them directors of ATS (3rd and 2nd from right) and Bart Romeijn, CEO of ACF (right) are all of them looking forward to their new cooperation. (Photo DKV) Transport management system leaders, Fargo Systems, is maintaining its pioneering position in the logistics industry with its adoption of /// what3words geocoding technology. With the company’s TOPS platform currently storing the what3words address against its location records, Steve Collins, explains: “ what3words divides the world into three-metre squares and gives each one a unique address - made of three dictionary words. For example, the precise 3 word address for Fargo Systems, Ipswich is /// legend.atomic.park . It is enabling people to be found easily in emergencies, for example, but also brings considerable benefits to the logistics sector. “We believe using these three unique words to identify a delivery location will significantly reduce those last-mile logistics problems experienced across the industry. While a postcode gets you close, what3words identifies an exact location – whether that’s a loading bay on a trading or industrial estate, an area of a building to access, or a residential address. This translates into cost and efficiency savings as a driver knows exactly where he is heading and an improved customer experience. “The next stage for us is to integrate what3words into our collection and delivery notes and roll out the technology into our TOPS…on the go and ePODmobile solutions.” With a reputation for taking the technological lead, for both its clients and their customers, Steve continues: “Being proactive has secured our position as transport and logistics software market leaders. Embracing this technology is the next step for us and the 1,750 end users we work with around the globe. Back in August the app topped the download charts, confirming a genuine interest in its capabilities. With the potential to supersede traditional addressing and GPS coordinates, we believe what3words is an exciting development.” Pierre Francois, Senior Partnerships Manager at what3words , concludes: “As forward-thinking innovators inbothof our respective markets, we are delighted to link with Fargo Systems. Our location technology offers a very simple way to communicate any precise location, providing a clear and easy way to combat the last-mile logistics challenge.” Find your 3-word address at: www.what3words.com Fargo Systems’ TOPS embraces latest technology, what3words Potential to make ‘last-mile’ logistics a problem of the past CGI image of the newly announced Felixstowe Logistics Park. Credit Courtesy of the Port of Felixstowe LOADS MORE FOR THE PALLET NETWORKS 01543 420 121 www. deker .co.uk