FreightWatch Announces US$10 Million Growth Equity Investment
By Freightwatch International, PRNETuesday, July 13, 2010
With Global Cargo Theft Up, Logistics Security Solutions Industry Sees Growth
AUSTIN, Texas, July 14, 2010 - FreightWatch International, the leading global logistics security
provider, announced today it has closed a US$10 million growth equity
investment led by Bridge Investments LLC, a Chicago-based private equity
firm.
"We are pleased Bridge Investments is making this investment in
FreightWatch. This new partnership, in combination with our strong cash flow,
allows FreightWatch to build upon the significant growth we have experienced
in recent years," stated Barry Conlon, CEO of FreightWatch International.
"The additional capital will allow us to focus on new sectors, expand our
current client base, and invest in new covert asset tagging technologies."
With global cargo theft of high-value goods on the rise, the supply chain
and logistics security solutions industry has experienced unprecedented
exposure and growth. Even in seemingly safe parts of the world, companies now
require layers of security measures to protect cargo from factory to
customer. In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urged
pharmaceutical stakeholders to take precautions to protect their goods from
theft.
"Supply chain security is not only an issue of corporate security, but it
is also increasingly seen as a consumer safety issue, especially with stolen
and counterfeit pharmaceuticals," stated Jeremy Kroll, an investor in
FreightWatch and President of K2 Global Partners, a risk consultancy and
investigations firm based in New York. "Ultimately, insurance carriers will
require more companies to reduce loss from cargo theft."
FreightWatch offers supply chain security solutions designed to prevent
cargo theft within the pharmaceutical, electronics and other consumer-focused
industries. To date, every stolen pharmaceutical full truck load equipped
with the FreightWatch technology has been recovered. Companies that invest in
the full FreightWatch layered solution remain protected from theft.
Other notable security industry investors joining Bridge and the Krolls
include Egis Capital Partners, led by Robert Chefitz, whose advisory board is
chaired by the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
Tom Ridge.
"FreightWatch is an outstanding company with a unique set of services and
proprietary technology, as well as an outstanding track record in delivering
value to its clients," said Steve Jarmel, Principal of Bridge Investments
LLC. "We are happy to be making an investment in FreightWatch as it continues
to meet growing demand for secure transport and trade on a global level."
FreightWatch International (www.freightwatchintl.com) offers an
array of customized logistics security solutions to prevent cargo theft
throughout the supply chain. FreightWatch services include electronic freight
security, 24/7 monitoring, security escorts, cargo assessments and
intelligence, and end-to-end logistics security solutions. With these
solutions, FreightWatch prevents logistics theft, ensures time-to-market, and
protects corporate brands, proactively preventing the loss of high-value,
at-risk products.
Bridge Investments LLC is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on
investments in business and consumer services companies. Bridge invests in
businesses with US$10 million to US$50 million of transaction value.
Dan Burges of FreightWatch International, +1-512-532-0159, dan.burges at freightwatchintl.com; or Lenora Peppers Greene, +1-623-203-3971, lgreene at kick-startmarketing.com, for FreightWatch International
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