Dive Brief:
- Employee-owned Big G Express acquired Nashville, Tennessee-based RTR Transportation Services, according to a Feb. 27 announcement. A purchase price wasn’t listed.
- The addition adds about 100 drivers, expands its service routes and allows the Shelbyville, Tennessee carrier to “gain market share with blue-chip customers in the automotive industry,” the company said.
- RTR wanted to protect its workers, and its decision to sell was rooted in its comfort level with Big G’s executive leadership, according to Jackson Norman, RTR’s president.
Dive Insight:
With facilities across 11 states, over 550 tractors and 1,800-plus trailers, Big G Express can reach new markets with the acquisition of nationwide TL carrier RTR.
According to RTR, its footprint includes not only 48 states but also Canada. The deal will also mean revenue growth, the company noted on a LinkedIn post, adding, “This decision was made with our employee owners in mind.”
Like other M&A deals, RTR’s president will remain with the newly acquired company, the announcement said. Similarly, TFI International retained Steve Ramescu this year after purchasing intermodal and freight brokerage provider Axsun Group, and Werner Enterprises did so with Cari Baylor in its acquisition last year of Baylor Trucking.
But some deals allow company owners and founders to exit the business, which employee-owned reefer carrier R.E. Garrison said in January would allow Michael Boatwright to retire with the sale of assets of Boaty’s Transport.
