New Company Name Reflects Global Role

Air freight giant Burlington Air Express has changed its name to BAX Global, a switch the Irvine-based company says will better reflect its increasingly international orientation.

The new name also downplays the air freight aspect of the company’s business. While still one of the world’s biggest freight forwarders, BAX also is a major logistics company, providing inventory and supply system management, warehousing and ground, sea and air shipment services for a variety of corporate clients.

BAX, a unit of Pittston Co., has about $1.5 billion in annual revenue and maintains 500 offices in 119 countries. It employs 5,000 people in the United States, including 450 at its Irvine corporate headquarters.

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John O’Dell covers major Orange County corporations and manufacturing for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5831 and at john.odell@latimes.com.