TECHNOLOGY supplier FSShas acquired rival firm Travellog Systems for an undisclosed sum.
FSS said there wouldn’t be any job losses among Travellog’s 70 staff at its Haywards Heath headquarters.
Bracknell-based FSS was attracted by Travellog’s res2000 system which is a dominant player in the ferry market. Travellog’s 66 clients include Irish Ferries, SeaFrance, Wightlink and Eurotunnel. It also works for Thomson Travel Group’s Independent Holidays Division.
FSS has a reputation for supplying systems to tour operators but wanted to be able to offer systems to all sectors of the market. It was also attracted by the strong international flavour of Travellog’s business, with 40% of sales coming from overseas, and its portfolio of specialist operators.
Travellog managing director Keith Adams said: “It’s a great deal because the two companies make a good fit and offer different products that complement each other.”
FSS managing director Edward Spiers added: “This is not about economies of scale, it’s about a fit of products. This also gives us better resources to work on our client server technology.”
The company claims it now has 35% market share of business from the top 250 air-inclusive tour operators and 80% of the ex-UK ferry sector. FSS’s 80 clients include Panorama, Tradewinds, Thomson Breakaway and Going Places Special Fares Unit.
Travellog founder shareholder and chairman David Stern will retire but Adams and fellow directors Andrew Osborne, Margaret MacDonald and Paul Gooch will remain. Spiers will become chairman of the group.
TABLE: Broadening horizons:the deal with Travellog will allow FSSto offer systems to all sectors of the market