SEKO Logistics is looking to build on a year of growth in 2017 by expanding its global footprint, recruiting new partners and making strategic acquisitions in both the forwarding and technology sectors.

Spearheading this focus will be William J. Wascher, who takes over as Chairman of the company – a move that also sees James Gagne, President, assume the additional post of CEO.

James Gagne was promoted to President in January 2017, succeeding Bill Wascher, SEKO’s President & CEO since 2002. Given the growth of SEKO’s award-winning 3PL business, its thriving cross-border eCommerce services and demand for its unique supply chain software solutions, James’ appointment was designed to enable Bill to focus on the strategic vision for SEKO. Over the last 12 months, this has involved identifying new ways to grow the business and opportunities for its employees and Strategic Partners.

His first major project as Chairman, due to be formally announced at the end of Q1 2018, will see a watershed expansion for SEKO in terms of its global reach.

Commenting on Chicago-headquartered SEKO’s strategic plans, James Gagne said: “We are in the most exciting period for SEKO in its 40-plus year history, with new opportunities being presented to us around the world by customers, partners and suppliers. We are continuing to focus on organic growth but this alone is not going to be fast enough to satisfy our ambitions in the coming years. We couldn’t ask for a better qualified Chairman than Bill Wascher to be working full-time on ensuring we continue to leverage our reputation as a supply chain disruptor which isn’t afraid to do things differently to benefit our customers and which is ready to be judged on its results.”

Bill Wascher added: “We’re ready to grow at an even faster pace as our upcoming news will demonstrate. We’re evaluating tuck-in acquisitions, partners and ‘out of the box’ expansion opportunities. This includes engaging with small independent forwarders that want to hear about the value of joining our network as well as technology companies in the logistics space that want to join forces with SEKO. We may partner, we may buy. The first thing for other companies to realize is that we’re ready to listen – and able to demonstrate what coming together with SEKO can do for them and their customers.”