Griffin Marine Travel and Instone form Griffin Americas

Griffin Marine Travel and Instone International Americas announced that their U.S. operations will merge, creating the largest competitive provider of crew travel management services in North America. The merger makes strategic sense for both parties. The companies serve the same markets, share the same aspirations and are totally customer service driven. Griffin Marine Travel brings a global cohesive network of 21 offices; Instone International Americas contributes an exceptionally strong management team and local market presence. The combination of these elements creates a powerful U.S. company with a genuinely global reach, mirroring its customers operations. The new company will adopt the trade name Griffin Americas and will generate an annual turnover in excess of US$55 million, primarily through its central service centres in Houston, TX, Miami, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL as well as smaller satellite offices in many areas of the U.S.. The chief officers of Griffin Americas will be Mr Robert B. Westendarp, CEO and Mr Rod Vamosi, COO. Griffin Americas will be part of the Griffin Global Group whose network of Griffin Marine Travel offices are united by common ownership. Both Griffin Marine Travel and Instone International Americas specialise in travel arrangements for the marine, offshore, and cruise line industries. Griffin Americas will continue to build on this heritage and will offer its customers global servicing through Griffin Marine Travel’s network of 21 offices around the world. It will offer 24 hour service and will introduce to the market innovative technical solutions custom designed to meet the demands of crew travel. The new company predicts expansion of its operations throughout the Americas. Mr George Boyes the Managing Director of Griffin Global Group was quoted as saying “we have found the right partner to expand and further enhance our operations in the Americas. We were previously such strong competitors because we shared the same customer focus and business values, the merger will serve to reinforce those values. In Mr Bob Westendarp we have a CEO with the experience, vision and drive to make a significant contribution to our Global Board and the further development of our network”. Mr Rod Vamosi, the COO of Griffin Americas said "I am excited about being a part of the largest global marine, offshore and cruise travel network. Since Instone International Americas and Griffin Marine Travel have the same vision as well as the same service commitment to our clients, we feel the integration of these two companies will be extremely powerful. Our management and staff look forward to serving all of our clients with the same professionalism and efficiency that we are known for in the industry while offering a stronger global presence".