Livingston acquires HIPAGE to expand operations in southeastern U.S.

TORONTO, Canada – Livingston International has acquired Norfolk, Virginia-based Hipage Company, Inc. (HIPAGE), Livingston’s president and CEO, Peter Luit, announced today.

This strategic move extends Livingston’s customs and compliance expertise as well as its international freight forwarding capability to companies importing and exporting through the southeastern U.S.  This acquisition also gives Livingston added expertise in the operation and administration of foreign trade zones (FTZs), a program in the United States to provide U.S. companies with deferred or reduced, and the possible elimination of, U.S. customs duties.

“This is a very friendly deal,” said Frank A. Daman, president and chief financial officer of HIPAGE, one of the oldest customs brokers in the United States.  “We have always respected Livingston as a partner for our northern border brokerage business,” added Daman, “and are pleased to join forces, to strengthen our mutual efforts to provide world-class service to our clients.”

“This addition of a strong regional customs broker and international freight forwarder to our growing U.S. operations,” added Luit, “strengthens our air/ocean brokerage, freight forwarding and export offerings and enhances our attractiveness, not only to clients who want a strong service provider in the region, but also to the many clients seeking a national, full-service customs broker.  We are thrilled to welcome HIPAGE’s high-quality management team and dedicated staff to Livingston.”

HIPAGE employs over 100 people in Norfolk, Virginia and other offices in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina; Dublin and Richmond, Virginia; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Founded in 1927, the company specializes in customs brokerage and air, ocean and domestic forwarding as well as export services. Like Livingston, HIPAGE is C-TPAT-certified.

About Livingston
Livingston International is Canada’s leading customs broker and one of the top five in the United States.  The company also offers customs and international trade consulting services in both countries as well as international freight forwarding across North America and around the globe.  Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Livingston has over 2,300 employees located at approximately 100 key border points, seaports, airports and other strategic locations across the United States and Canada.

For more information, contact:
Dawneen MacKenzie, vice-president, corporate communication
1-800-387-7582 ext. 3109