Company Announcement - Wings Travel Management has acquired Michelle’s Travel, one of the oldest and most respected travel management companies in South Africa, for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1973, Michelle’s Travel is based in Boksburg, Johannesburg and has 50 staff handling the business travel requirements of clients predominantly in the engineering, construction and manufacturing industries. The company will re-brand as Wings Travel Management and all staff are being retained. The move means Wings Travel Management, dual headquartered in London and Johannesburg, will strengthen its corporate client portfolio significantly to become one of the largest independent TMCs on the African continent.

Tony Sofianos, CEO of Wings Travel Management said: “Wings specialises in servicing clients where travel is a critical part of their business model.  Michelle’s Travel fits this strategy perfectly as they have a strong customer base within the construction and engineering sectors. “The oil, gas and marine sectors account for the majority of our global business. However the current downturn in the energy sector due to falling oil prices has prompted us to take a strategic decision to expand our corporate arm in order to manage this downturn,” he explained. “In addition, we are migrating services from our South Africa operations to Wings’ operations in oil producing countries such as Angola and Nigeria for most of our African oil and gas clients for legislative reasons; and it was therefore important for us to acquire a sizeable business in South Africa to ensure economies of scale were maintained.

“We are also considering a significant UK acquisition to bolster the corporate side of our business further and we anticipate concluding this acquisition in the near future,” Sofianos advised. Dale Page, Business Development Director, Michelle’s Travel commented: “We are extremely excited about our future and the value that Wings will add to our employees and clients.  Corporate South Africa is focusing on growth in this market, as well as global consolidation, both of which we will be able to offer going forward. Joining forces with Wings will create significant added value for all our customers as well as suppliers”.