Each company will act as agent for the other in cooperating with sales efforts and operations in their respective territories. Gondrand, a Swiss freight forwarding company, has been for many years a major trading company in French Polynesia. It has a company owned and operated facility in Papeete, Tahiti's capital. CII's principal business is in the South Pacific with operations in Australia, New Zealand and a number of islands including American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, the Marshalls and the Solomons.
In announcing the new agreement, Julian Keeling, CEO at Consolidators International, stated, 'CII now has the opportunity to serve the cargo needs of French Polynesia in addition to our current freight operations throughout the South Pacific. French Polynesia including the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora-Bora long has been a favorite destination for experienced world travelers. These veteran travelers, many affluent, expect comfort and convenience when visiting the islands. It is our responsibility to ensure their needs are met through consistent, reliable, hassle-free delivery of a wide variety of supplies made via ocean and air.'
The CII executive is confident new cargo business will be generated through the CII-Gondrand relationship. 'Both our companies have substantial experience in serving South Pacific markets. We know the territory,' Keeling affirmed. He also noted that Tahiti has demonstrated tourist growth aided by weekly cruises around the islands despite a globally soft economic climate. 'Its reputation as a place far removed from the cares and tribulations of much of the industrialized world has allowed the islands to continue its growth in tourism. Of course, with growth comes a demand for greater amounts of a wide variety of consumer and business supplies to satisfy the needs of tourists as well as the requirements of the local population.'
Despite its headquarters in Basil, Switzerland, Gondrand is a long established company in France with close trading ties to the overseas territories of France. The company approached Consolidators International to become its U.S. agent based on CII's knowledge and experience in the South Pacific.
'We expect our trading in French Polynesia to be a successful addition to our activities elsewhere in the South Pacific,' concluded Keeling.
