BCD Travel has acquired one of North America’s biggest TMCs, Adelman Travel Group.
Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Adelman was founded in 1985 and employs 300 staff, with total combined sales of US$675 million. Its portfolio includes clients from the financial services, technology, manufacturing and retail sectors. In 2017, it joined the BCD Travel Affiliates, a network of 30 corporate travel agencies.
Adelman will continue operating under its brand as a wholly owned business unit of BCD Travel.
The purchase follows last month’s announcement BCD was taking a majority stake in Japan’s Hitachi Travel Bureau.
“We're very proud to bring a prominent TMC like Adelman into the BCD Travel family,” said Craig Bailey (pictured below), BCD Travel’s Americas president. “Our financial strength affords us the opportunity to grow our company with moves like this one that benefit our clients, employees, partners and affiliates. It fits perfectly with our strategy of growing organically through investments in products and services and through acquisitions of successful companies that share our company values and culture.”
Andy McGraw, chief executive of Adelman Travel Group, added: “As a member of the BCD Travel Affiliates program, our customers have reaped some of the global benefits of our partnership with BCD Travel. This acquisition helps Adelman secure a bright future for our loyal customers, dedicated and committed employees and shareholders.”
BCD Group employs 14,900 people and operates in 109 countries with total sales of US$29.8 billion in 2018, including US$10.7 billion partner sales.
bcdtravel.com; adelmantravel.com