Cash injection spurs Ecu-Line growth plans

THE GROUPAGE company Ecu-Line has just had a financial injection of 9-million Euros (R58.5-m) intended to capitalise its international expansion plans.
This from the investment arm of the Belgian ABN-AMRO group - ABN-AMRO Capital (committing 6-m Euros) - and GIMV (3-m).
Currently, the Ecu-Line group records show 135 offices in 66 countries with expansion plans projecting 150 offices by the end of 2001.
Group m.d. Raymond Van Achteren expects the consolidated turnover to increase from 200-m Euros in 2000 - a transport volume of 63 000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) - to 360-m in 2004.
This year Ecu-Line is targeting turnover of 232.5-m Euros, and before-tax earnings of 12,1-m.