IMPERIAL Logistics, a division of Imperial Holdings , announced yesterday that it had acquired 51% of e-Logics — effectively owning the majority stake in the private company. Cobus Rossouw, CEO of Imperial Logistics Integration Services, a unit of Imperial Logistics, said the acquisition assisted in the future positioning of Imperial Logistics, whose strategic thrust was to offer end- to-end supply chain management solutions. Its parent, Imperial Holdings, is on the acquisition trail, aiming to bolster its logistics business as well as its tourism and car rental businesses. Imperial Logistics declined to disclose the value of this acquisition. E-Logics, which was formed in 2000, would help the company develop specialised software not only for logistics and supply chain management, but also transportation and asset management, Rossouw said.

The two intended to target new business and growth opportunities within their customer base and proceed with their strategy of increasingly becoming an extension and part of their customers’ operations, he said. Johann van der Westhuizen, MD of e-Logics, which provides technology-based process planning and control, optimisation, automation and analysis solutions, said being part of Imperial Logistics would enable it to capture new opportunities. “Taking advantage of Imperial Logistics’ knowledge and supply chain expertise, I am confident we will become increasingly innovative, allowing customers to better their performance through improved business processes and technology management.”