D.J.Powers Company, Inc., an international logistics provider headquartered in Savannah, has merged with local logistics firm Maritime International, Inc.
“As part of D.J.Powers’ continuing strategic expansion, we are excited to welcome Maritime International into the company,” said Powers CEO Rhett Willis.
“Their experience in international transportation solutions will be a valuable contribution to our expanding service offerings and will add to our level of expertise in global transportation. This gives D.J.Powers and our customers another significant advantage in major global markets.”
The merger was completed June 3.
“Rhett and I have known each other for at least 25 years,” said Maritime owner Bruce McCray. “We’ve been talking about a merger for several years, but recently the time became right.”
McCray founded Maritime International in 1988, growing it steadily over the years.
“But we’re still a relatively small shop,” he said. “As our customer base grows, we will benefit from the technical expertise D.J. Powers brings to the table. Our customers are becoming more technologically advanced and this will help us better serve them.
Maritime’s clients ship a variety of products, including minerals, kaolin, cottonseed, cornstarch and heavy machinery, as well as various other commodities.
The merger, Willis said, is based on the two men’s long-term relationship.
“There is a lot of commonality between us,” he said. “We share the same business philosophy, our customer types are similar and, most important, we know and trust each other.”
McCray joins D.J.Powers, where he will continue to develop new business for the firm.
“Bruce brings a real depth of experience to the executive team and will be a big part of helping grow the company,” Willis said.
For his part, McCray said he is delighted to get out from behind his desk.
“As a business owner, I was tied to paperwork,” he said. “This frees me up to do what I like best — develop new business while working with our current customers.”
With the addition of Maritime International and the recent opening of its Norfolk, Va. office, D.J.Powers has solidified its foothold in the Southeast with plans for continuing growth in the U.S. and overseas markets.
One of the first Georgia-based freight forwarders and customs brokerage firms, D.J.Powers now has seven U.S. offices, two overseas offices — in Rotterdam and Shanghai — and a network of more than 175 affiliated offices worldwide.
The company specializes in handling a wide variety of commodities such as chemicals, machinery, frozen foods, vehicles, consumer goods and bulk minerals, providing fully computerized documentation, shipment tracking and data management for global logistics as well as experienced oversight of shippers’ regulatory compliance requirements.
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