Vienna-based info-logistics provider cargo-partner group is expanding its footprint in the land down under, after the forwarder acquired local customs broker and forwarder Associated Customs & Forwarding or ACF.

The acquisition, officially completed on 1 August, will see cargo-partner gain two new locations in Sydney and Brisbane and grown its team in Australia to 35. The company said it has had success in its operations in Melbourne, which it started in July 2019.

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With the expanded network, the company can now cover the whole east coast of Australia, leveraging on ACF’s expertise in e-commerce, which cargo-partner declared is one of its ‘strategic focus areas.’In April this year, cargo-partner took over German fulfillment and last-mile specialist Repalog as part of its commitment to grow the ecommerce business.

Local logistics company ACF, established in 1972, is IATA-accredited for air and sea freight, customs brokerage and contract logistics, with 3,000 square metres of warehouse space in Sydney.

Cargo-partner said the acquisition was simplified since both companies are already using the logistics platform CargoWise, designed by WiseTech Global. The company is staging the roll-out of the platform in Asia, Oceania, Europe and the US, with completion expected by March 2023.