LOS ANGELES and NEW BERN, N.C. — When Led Zeppelin needed a way to transport their “Stairway to Heaven” across the United States between concert venues, they called Rock-it Cargo.
And when major networks need to relocate their high-dollar broadcasting equipment to and from sporting events, such a Dallas Cowboys game or a hoops matchup between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, they rely on SOS Global (SOS).
Now, the two companies are one.
Rock-It cargo, a global critical logistics (GCL) company and a global leader in end-to-end logistics for live events and high net worth goods, has announced the acquisition SOS, the North Carolina-based freight forwarder, from NEP Group.
The combined company will be the largest global specialty logistics provider in the live touring and sports and broadcast markets, a news release notes.
The acquisition closed on Jan. 31, and terms were not disclosed.
“Rock-it’s core leadership in live music touring has been enhanced in recent years by diversifying into and significantly growing in the sports and broadcast, film and TV production and high net worth goods sectors,” according to the news release. “Rock-it and its sister companies have offices in 18 countries and, in 2023, completed shipments in more than 115 countries. Rock-it leverages its unparalleled network and experience to deliver end-to-end solutions for its customers in every market with the same personal touch and “failure is not an option” ethos that has permeated Rock-it since its founding in 1978 with first clients Uriah Heep and Led Zeppelin.”
SOS specializes in freight forwarding and logistics services for live events, particularly in the sports and broadcast industries. They service every major U.S. sports and news broadcaster, the largest U.S. professional sports leagues and many of the largest vendors to these companies.
Based in New Bern, North Carolina, “SOS prioritizes speed and control in its deliveries with additional offices across the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates,” the news release states.
“Today we bring together two trusted brands with a combined 83 years of experience,” said Daniel Rosenthal, president and CEO of GCL. “For 38 years, customers have known they can ‘SOS’ their most valuable goods via a 24/7/365 operational hub. SOS’s legacy will be strengthened as part of Rock-it Cargo, with expanded services and global access via our unrivaled network. I have been thrilled to get to know Ed Reno and the SOS team, and I cannot wait to grow our business and serve our customers better together. The breadth, depth and skills of Rock-it and SOS is unparalleled in global live performance touring and live sporting events.”
The acquisition aligns with GCL’s strategic plans to strengthen Rock-it’s global position within the sports and broadcast sector, as well as enhance its domestic capabilities in the live touring, events, film and theater categories. In 2023, more than 85% of GCL’s revenue was earned from international shipments, whereas a majority of SOS’s revenue was earned domestically.
Ed Reno, president of SOS, who will remain with GCL and report directly to Rosenthal, said, “Our team is very excited to combine forces with Rock-it. SOS brings a robust domestic network and operational capabilities designed to meet the needs of our sports and broadcast clients. Joining a larger international specialty logistics leader will be good for our customers and good for our team.”
GCL has made several acquisitions recently to bolster its global capabilities serving the live touring, sports, broadcast, film and TV production, fine art and classic and high-value automobile sectors. This buying spree includes the acquisitions of Classic Automotive Relocation Services (CARS), the largest global transporter of high-value automobiles and Dynamic International, one of the top international logistics providers for film and TV productions.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.
