Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - May 30, 2019:  Etihad Airways PJSC has acquired the shares held by Armaguard Linfox Group Pty (Australia) in Abu Dhabi-based joint venture Armaguard Valuables Management LLC (AVM), becoming sole shareholder of the company and renaming it Etihad Secure Logistics Services LLC.

In the six years since it began operations, AVM has successfully grown from a start-up to become a major player in the UAE secure logistics and valuables management market. 

With increasing opportunities in their respective markets, both Etihad and Armaguard have agreed now is the right time for the business to operate as a full subsidiary of Etihad Airways as part of Etihad’s expanding cargo and logistics portfolio.

Gary Allen, Linfox Armaguard Group CEO comments: “The Armaguard Group is concentrating on continuing to strengthen the existing businesses in Australia and New Zealand while  enhancing our services across South East Asia, and as such will withdraw from the UAE.”

“Etihad and Armaguard have shared a long history of working together to provide the best solutions for our customers.  We will continue as a strong network alliance, servicing the global valuables market. We will continue to work together to ensure a seamless transition for our customers.” 

Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, Managing Director Cargo and Logistics Services at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We would like to express our gratitude to Linfox Armaguard for their partnership and support these past years. We are now in a position, with Etihad Secure Logistics operating as a wholly Etihad-owned business, to better support the home market in its next phase of growth and development.

This comes with increased investment in the valuables transportation and logistics segments, as well as the banking and financial services sectors in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, complimenting the wider cargo and logistics offering at Etihad.” 

Etihad has appointed Vincent Hampton as Managing Director of Etihad Secure Logistics. As a member of the extended Etihad Cargo leadership team, he will be responsible to lead and execute the company’s new strategic vision. 

Hampton brings a wealth of experience across various sectors as a management and security specialist, having held various roles with the United States Air Force and the US Department of State in Abu Dhabi, and a decade of leadership roles in security consulting within the UAE private sector.