FC USA Continues To Grow And Expand Its Corporate Footprint In The US

Both brands are well established and have successful track records in Australia. Travel Associates – a boutique travel agency dedicated to offering discerning travelers unique experiences and the ultimate in travel luxury – has been around for over a decade, and CiEvents – a full service creative agency – has been around for over two decades.

In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange on July 5, 2012, FC USA parent FTL announced it expects a record profit before tax (PBT) between $285 million and $290 million based on unaudited trading results for the year to June 30, 2012.

The healthy growth in volatile trading conditions highlighted the company's global diversity. While FTL is not immune to external shocks and continues to monitor market conditions as it looks to 2012/13, its brand and geographic diversity can buffer it from the impacts of a downturn in any one country or sector.

Australia's largest corporate travel provider is gaining scale in key international markets and especially in the US. The US business is likely to contribute in the order of $9 million EBIT, compared to $1.4 million during 2010/11 and almost double its 2011/12 target of $5 million.

"We see ongoing opportunities to win market-share," said John Beauvais, Nation Leader of Corporate Brands, FC USA Inc.

"The US is an obvious opportunity, because of its market size and the continued investment we have made in developing our businesses here is testament to the fact that we are in for the long-haul."

Billy McDonough, newly appointed President, FCm Travel Solutions and Travel Associates said he was delighted to be bringing Travel Associates to the US, as clear synergies existed with FCm and Corporate Traveler.

"We couldn't be more excited to be launching our brand in the US at such an opportunistic time," added Natalie Simmons, Global General Manager, CiEvents.

Adding to FC USA's continued success, recently released results from the Business Travel News 2012 Business Travel Survey confirmed that global travel and expense management company FCm Travel Solutions is now the seventh largest Travel Management Company (TMC) in the US.

FCm Travel Solutions' combined corporate businesses – collectively identified as FCm – moved up the survey ladder one notch from eighth position last year to seventh in 2012. Its growth rate of more than 17 percent in transactions topped all of its competitors on a like-for-like basis, meaning excluding acquisitions.

The 2012 Business Travel Survey measures only FCm Travel Solutions' US division, whereas other TMCs are measured globally. If measured globally, FCm Travel Solutions would probably be ranked in the top-5 TMCs in the world.

Billy McDonough, newly appointed President, FCm Travel Solutions and Travel Associates said FCm was delighted with this significant milestone for the company and its affiliated brands in the US.

"The ranking recognizes the professionalism of our travel teams in the US and reinforces FCm's growing brand and business presence in the global corporate travel arena. Since entering the market in 2004, FCm has continued to strategically grow the network and now employs over six thousand people worldwide. FCm offers customers a truly global network spanning more than 78 countries," Billy said.

"Our ability to blend global presence with local, flexible and personalized service has the company well placed for further growth and success in the future."

FCm Travel Solutions is proudly participating in the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention in Boston – July 22-25, 2012. Visit booth #2939.

ENDS