Dive Brief:
- Global Critical Logistics, which manages transport for some of the world’s largest tours and live events, has been acquired by a new private equity firm, according to an Aug. 4 press release.
- Providence Equity Partners bought a controlling interest in the holding company from previous majority owner ATL Partners, which now has a minority equity stake. The deal, which closed on Aug. 1, was valued at more than $1 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported in May.
- “Providence’s commitment validates our customer focus and growth strategy and will expand our capabilities further in the years ahead,” said Daniel Rosenthal, GCL president and CEO, in a May press release. “The Providence team’s proven track record and depth of relationships in our end markets make them the ideal partner for the next chapter of serving our customers.”
Dive Insight:
Global Critical Logistics is the parent company of Rock-it Cargo, a specialized freight forwarding company that has moved the tours of internationally renowned bands and musicians, such as Led Zeppelin, Queen and Taylor Swift, since its founding in 1978, per the company’s website.
In 2022, ATL Partners — the private equity firm behind Rock-it Cargo — established Global Critical Logistics as a holding company as it diversified its brands and end markets. The company acquired CARS, a high-end automotive transport company, in 2023, and then SOS Global, a specialty logistics provider for the sports and broadcast market, in 2024.
Across its portfolio of brands, Global Critical Logistics has over 60 offices on five continents, more than 800 employees and executes upwards of 10,000 events in 160 countries annually.
“The sale of GCL represents a significant milestone for ATL and we believe it underscores our ability to partner with management teams to build and scale market-leading businesses, while continuing to execute successfully and deliver strong outcomes in today’s dynamic market environment,” said Sanjay Arora, partner at ATL Partners, in the Aug. 4 release.
Providence Equity Partners’ deal lands at a time when Global Critical Logistics is gearing up for another major event. Rock-it Cargo recently entered into a multi-year partnership as the Official Logistics Provider of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the new FIFA Club World Cup starting next month. It’s familiar turf for Providence, which has invested in Major League Soccer and Spain’s Real Madrid.
