Logistics & Distribution Acquisitions in Minnesota

Trinity Logistics has completed the full acquisition of Granite Logistics, bringing the longtime freight agent partner into its organization and adding two Regional Service Centers in Sartell and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The deal brings approximately 135 team members into Trinity and expands its specialized capabilities in flatbed, over-dimensional, and heavy-haul freight across the Upper Midwest.

Buske Logistics, a portfolio company of Fourshore Partners, has acquired Strategic Warehousing, LLC, a contract logistics provider based in Eagan, Minnesota. The add-on expands Buske's food-and-beverage warehousing capabilities—particularly in confectionery—and grows its network in the Twin Cities with three sites totaling 225,000 square feet.

An affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. has acquired substantially all assets and the trade name of Northern Wholesale Supply, LLC. The Lino Lakes, Minnesota-based distributor of RV, marine and powersports parts will continue operating as Northern Wholesale Supply and will focus on operational improvements, expanding proprietary product lines, and North American market expansion while preserving over 200 jobs.

Energy Products Inc. has acquired Reliable Batteries Inc., an independent battery distributor based in New Hope, Minnesota. The acquisition creates an additional distribution point for Energy Products as part of its ongoing expansion to strengthen its distribution network and enter an adjacent market.

Radiant Logistics has acquired the operations of Minnesota-based brokerage Viking Worldwide, which operates under the Service By Air brand. The deal brings Viking's Minneapolis and Houston operations into Radiant's network; terms were not disclosed and part of the purchase price is performance contingent.

Estes Forwarding Worldwide (EFW), a subsidiary of Estes Express Lines, has completed the acquisition of Minneapolis-based Superior Brokerage Services (SBS). The deal expands EFW's international capabilities — including a presence in Asia and a control tower in Taiwan — and increases EFW's workforce, helping it double revenue and strengthen end-to-end supply chain services.

Trident, a New York-based private equity firm, announced a strategic investment in Priority Courier Experts, a same-day and next-day B2B delivery provider headquartered in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. Trident is partnering with operating partner Bluejay Capital and has installed Mark Cossack as CEO and Ted Burchell as President to support Priority's local market leadership and expand the business into new geographies.

Imperial Dade, a leading distributor of foodservice packaging and janitorial supplies, has acquired Apache Group, a regional foodservice packaging distributor based in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Financial terms were not disclosed; Imperial Dade said the deal will expand its presence and capabilities across Minnesota, Wisconsin and the broader Midwest.

Radiant Logistics, Inc. acquired the operations of Cascade Enterprises of Minnesota, Inc., a Minneapolis-based operator that has run under Radiant's Airgroup brand since 2007. Cascade will operate under the Airgroup brand through 2022 and transition to the Radiant brand in early 2023 as its operations are combined with Radiant’s existing Minneapolis business, expanding Radiant’s local capabilities and access to its Navegate trade-management technology.

Ascent Global Logistics acquired a majority stake in Central Minnesota Logistics (CML), a specialized freight brokerage focused on over-dimensional and heavy-haul transportation across North America. The deal folds CML into Ascent's Specialized business segment to expand capability in oversized, heavy-haul and super-load logistics and strengthen service offerings across industries such as construction, energy and manufacturing.

Warren Equity Partners has acquired MacQueen Equipment, a St. Paul-based value-added distributor of environmental and emergency equipment, from Rotunda Capital Partners. Rotunda had partnered with MacQueen since 2018 and grew the business through seven add-on acquisitions to a 15-location, 12-state platform; MacQueen's CEO Dan Gage will continue to lead the company under the new ownership.

Radiant Logistics, Inc. (NYSE American: RLGT) acquired all outstanding stock of Navegate, Inc., a Mendota Heights, Minnesota-based technology-enabled logistics and supply chain management company, in a transaction that closed December 3, 2021. The deal (reported at $35 million) expands Radiant's international services footprint—including customs brokerage, ocean forwarding and drayage—and adds Navegate's cloud-based global trade management platform to Radiant's network.

48forty Solutions, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity, has acquired J&B Pallet, a pallet manufacturer and recycler headquartered in Lake City, Minnesota. The acquisition expands 48forty's footprint in the northern Midwest and is the fourth add-on since Audax's investment in 48forty in November 2020; terms were not disclosed.

Mansfield Energy Corp acquired the fuel transportation assets of Lubrication Technologies (Lube‑Tech), including tankwagon and transport fleet operations and bulk storage facilities. The acquisition expands Mansfield's fuel supply and delivery footprint in the Midwest and enables enhanced logistics and reporting through its FuelNet portal while Lube‑Tech continues to provide fluids, lubricants and related services.

Lindenmeyr Munroe, a division of Central National Gottesman Inc. (CNG), has acquired the business of Wilcox Paper, an independent paper merchant based in Champlin, Minnesota. The acquisition expands Lindenmeyr Munroe's product offerings and geographic presence in the Minnesota commercial printing market; Wilcox's president Terry Hudy will join Lindenmeyr Munroe's Fridley, MN operations.

Pilot Freight Services has acquired Manna Freight Systems, a Mendota Heights, Minnesota-based final-mile logistics provider, to expand its last-mile and heavy/hard-to-handle (H3D) delivery capabilities, particularly for furniture and appliances. The deal brings Manna's team and technology into Pilot's operations and increases Pilot's domestic footprint and service offering; financial terms were not disclosed.