GBTA Forecasts Strong Global Business Travel Spend
Spending is estimated to advance another 7.1% in 2018 and will expand to $1.7 trillion total by 2022.
NEW YORK—KLS Transportation in Los Angeles recently acquired Song Limousine of New York City to open up another branch of the KLS brand in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.
Alex Darbahani, CEO of KLS Transportation, said the move will help bring unity and efficiencies to his customer base, who frequently travel within both cities. Jason Strulowitz of Song Limousine said the merger was finalized in January 2014.
“KLS has been in business for 19 years, and it’s a great match for us to do this venture together,” Darhahani said. “We had been looking for a company in New York for some time, because we had too many jobs going there. Jason was looking for a company to merge with and help him grow too, so it works out perfectly.”
Song Limousine has been operating in Manhattan for six years, cultivating a high-end, upscale clientele with its fleet of 12 vehicles, including Cadillac XTSs, Escalades, Suburbans, and Town Cars.
“[Los Angeles] had been one of the biggest client feeds for us,” said Strulowitz, “especially for entertainment and film. So this is a nice match up in terms of skills and service level.”
With Strulitz managing operations in New York, and Darbahani continuing his work in Los Angeles, KLS hopes to grow the New York fleet this year to mirror its Los Angeles fleet number of 38 vehicles. “We have in our business plan to add 20 cars to New York by the end of the year,” Darbahani said.
KLS Chauffeured Services has opened in New York with its new website, www.klsnewyorklimo.com, retaining the original KLS brand that started in Los Angeles.
— Tim Crowley, LCT
Related Topics: KLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services, Los Angeles operators, mergers & acquisitions, New York operators
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Art Rento Sr., Chicago Operator, D-Day Survivor, 1923-2018
