Ross & Baruzzini, Inc. an international consulting and engineering firm, has acquired CAGE, Inc., one of the leading aviation baggage handling consulting firms in the United States.
Based in Irving, Texas, CAGE’s primary professional services focus is on planning, design, procurement and commissioning of complex automated baggage handling systems, passenger boarding bridges, ground support services and aircraft parking design.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Carl Clause, chairman and owner of CAGE, said “We know Ross & Baruzzini well, having worked together internationally for years. I know the global strength of their organization and believe in their growth strategy which will provide a platform for CAGE to build its brand globally.”
Founded in 1997, CAGE Inc. has provided services at more than 140 airports on projects valued in excess of $2 billion. Their client list includes some of the largest airports in the country and they have served American Airlines since the inception of the firm.
Ross & Baruzzini, which has more than 300 employees who execute projects in more than 30 countries, operates from headquarters in St. Louis and offices in Chicago, Miami, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Kansas City, New York, Hamden, Conn. and Columbia, Ill., with staff in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. The two firms will immediately combine operations to leverage opportunities for growth. CAGE has approximately 45 people on staff.
“This is an acquisition we’ve wanted to make for several years to add to our portfolio of global airport engineering and consulting capabilities,” said Craig Toder, Ross & Baruzzini chairman. “CAGE has a highly specialized technical capability that is rare in the industry and fits our growing client base of airports and airlines. They have a terrific staff, a proven management team and some of the best clients in our industry. It’s an exceptional fit for us.”
“This will continue to open up opportunities for our people,” said Jeff Plant, CAGE president, “as we will have a greater reach to global markets. Our people are excited about this.” Plant will work directly with Bill Overturf, Ross & Baruzzini president, to integrate the two firms. Overturf remarked that “the cultures of both companies are very similar. It became obvious very quickly that this group is extremely dedicated and very experienced. I was impressed by the longevity of their staff and the loyalty of their clients. It’s a great company that we are thrilled to bring into our family.”
About Ross & Baruzzini, Inc.
Founded in St. Louis in 1953, Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is a premier international consulting and engineering firm continually ranked among the top companies in the nation. The firm provides advanced design solutions in the transportation, healthcare, government, higher education and mission-critical markets. The firm has been named a “best place to work” by the St. Louis Post Dispatch and St. Louis Business Journal the past two years.
