JW Chicago Acquires Chain O' Lakes Transportation

Watco Acquires Great Lakes Central Railroad

September 28, 2025

Transportation

Watco has received federal approval from the Surface Transportation Board to acquire the 420-mile Great Lakes Central Railroad (GLC). The acquisition, effective September 28, requires Watco to keep currently active GLC gateways open on commercially competitive terms and follows Watco's prior equity investment in GLC since 2013.

Crystal Flash Acquires J-M Transports, Inc.

November 4, 2021

Transportation

Grand Rapids-based energy distributor Crystal Flash, Inc. acquired J-M Transports, Inc., a family-owned fuels and propane transport provider headquartered in Newark, Illinois. The deal — Crystal Flash’s first acquisition outside Michigan — establishes a new Midwest Transportation Office and brings J-M’s drivers, dispatchers and management into Crystal Flash’s employee-owned organization.

H.I.G. Infrastructure Acquires North America Central School Bus

August 2, 2021

Transportation

An affiliate of H.I.G. Capital's infrastructure arm has acquired North America Central School Bus (NAC), a Joliet, Illinois–based student transportation provider. The deal was an exit for prior sponsor Goldner Hawn LP; H.I.G. said it will support geographic expansion and a transition to next-generation (including electric) bus technology while management, led by CEO Steve Hemmerlein, remains in place.

Miles Ahead Brands Acquires CKJ Transport

March 3, 2025

Transportation

Miles Ahead Brands, a family of aggregate distribution companies based in Tampa, has acquired CKJ Transport, a family-owned aggregate hauling company headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The acquisition expands Miles Ahead Brands' presence in the Texas market and integrates CKJ's specialized hauling capabilities into its connected network for construction materials distribution.

J.F. Lehman & Company Acquires Atomic Transport

February 20, 2025

Environmental Services

J.F. Lehman & Company (through an investment affiliate) has acquired Atomic Transport, a Chattanooga-based specialized waste transport and transfer station management company. Comvest Partners (Comvest Credit Opportunities) sold its stake in Atomic; Atomic founders and management rolled equity and will continue to lead the business as JFLCO supports growth initiatives across the company's 30 terminals in 19 states.

GO Riteway Transportation Group Acquires Westlund Bus Lines

August 24, 2024

Transportation

GO Riteway Transportation Group, based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, has acquired Westlund Bus Lines of Marinette, Wisconsin. The deal transfers 60 employees and 43 vehicles to GO Riteway, preserves service for the Marinette School District and city taxi program, and provides GO Riteway a strategic northern Wisconsin location while enabling owner Tom Westlund to retire.