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Autumn 1999
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FSS, the UK’s leading travel technology systems provider, acquired rival systems supplier Travellog Systems in late July 1999 for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition was with the full agreement and support of the Travellog board.
Travellog is widely respected within the travel industry for its res2000 system and will remain a separate company and brand within the enlarged FSS Group. The enlarged Group will offer exciting opportunities to the staff of both companies - which is now nearly 160.
With the acquisition of Travellog, the enlarged FSS Group will be the largest supplier of integrated reservation systems in the UK. It will now have access to a creative pool of travel technology expertise that will give FSS a world beating poduct portfolio. The enlarged Group will focus on continuing development of new technology platforms and e-commerce application software. Group strategy will be to develop world class reservation systems for FSS’ traditional market of tour operators and airline consolidators as well as Travellog’s market of ferry, train and specialist tour operators.
The combined Group will have a customer base in excess of 145 travel principals operating both in the UK and internationally. A key attraction in the acquisition was Travellog’s significant growth in overseas markets with some 40% of its current revenue being generated outside the UK travel sector.
Travellog’s chairman, David Stern, will retire from full time company involvement. Travellog’s managing director, Keith Adams, and his fellow directors, Andrew Osborne, Margaret MacDonald amd Paul Gooch, will all remain as directors of Travellog. Ed Spiers, chairman and managing director of the FSS Group will become chairman of the company.
Commenting on the announcement, Ed Spiers said:
“The product fit between the two companies is complementary. Both companies are customer focused with similar views about the future development of the travel technology market. The pooling of expertise and systems talent from both companies will provide the UK and global travel industries with world class, innovative reservations systems.
“This acquisition provides the opportunity for a UK based group to be a world leader in technology in international travel markets.”
He continued: “This consolidation in many ways reflects recent activity within the wider travel industry. The complementary nature of the two companies products provides a comprehensive portfolio of travel system software and market dominance.”
Keith Adams, managing director of Travellog said: “I believe that this is an excellent moment to be broadening the base of Travellog and securing an exciting future for all our staff.
“We now have a superb opportunity within the FSS Group to continue to suport our existing customer base, whilst positioning ourselves to provide technological platforms for every segment of an industry that will increasingly rely on technological innovation and distribution as we enter the e-commerce age.”
Travellog SystemsLast Updated: 08 December 1999