Logistics & Distribution Acquisitions in Missouri

Funds managed by Greenbriar Equity Group completed the acquisition of eShipping, a tech-enabled managed transportation and logistics services provider. The private transaction will back eShipping’s expansion of its managed transportation platform and continued investment in its cloud-based technology and product capabilities; terms were not disclosed.

Audax Private Equity has acquired a majority stake in Lanter Delivery Systems from Equity Group Investments. Lanter, based outside St. Louis, operates a nationwide overnight, unattended delivery network serving automotive, agriculture, heavy-truck and industrial customers; Audax plans to invest in the network and technology to accelerate growth and expand end markets.

AIT Worldwide Logistics completed the acquisition of St. Louis–based Krupp Trucking LLC effective Jan. 1, 2025, transferring Krupp’s assets, a 115,000 sq. ft. Earth City warehouse, a fleet of 60+ trucks and nearly 100 teammates into the AIT network. The deal enhances AIT’s capabilities in high-value technology logistics and white‑glove services; founder Scott Krupp will remain as City Director. Terms were not disclosed.

Radiant Logistics, through its wholly owned subsidiary Radiant Road & Rail, acquired the assets and operations of TCB Transportation, a St. Louis-based intermodal marketing company specializing in 40- and 53-foot container movements across North America. The transaction is structured with a portion of the purchase price payable based on future performance; TCB will continue under founder Jerry Kausch, Jr.'s leadership and is expected to transition to the Radiant brand in 2025.

Incline Equity Partners has acquired GME Supply Co., an omni-channel distributor of fall protection, PPE, rigging and workwear headquartered in Columbia, Missouri. The seller was Platte River Equity; Incline said it will leverage supplier partnerships and strategic M&A to expand product categories, enter adjacent end markets and improve GME's operations and go-to-market capabilities.

Global Industrial Company (NYSE: GIC) acquired 100% of Indoff, Inc. for approximately $69.2 million in cash, funded from its existing credit facility and cash on hand. Indoff, a St. Louis-based value-added distributor that generated about $180 million in revenue in 2022, will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary under its current brand and leadership, providing Global Industrial with a new sales channel and expanded product/service capabilities.

Alliance Ground International (AGI) has acquired Airport Terminal Services (ATS), adding 49 locations across the United States and Canada and marking AGI's first entry into passenger/terminal operations. ATS, founded in 1975 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, has more than 5,500 employees and provides full-range ground handling, cargo handling, refuelling, de-icing and lounge/concierge services.

Atlanta-based private equity firm Crown Capital Investments has acquired Nova Marketing, LLC, a St. Louis-headquartered warehousing, kitting and fulfillment provider. Crown said the deal adds a central U.S. operation to its national warehousing, kitting and fulfillment network and creates synergies with its distribution solutions portfolio.

Imperial Dade has acquired Garrett Paper, a family-run distributor of foodservice and janitorial products headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The deal — terms undisclosed — expands Imperial Dade's regional presence and marks the company's 45th acquisition under CEO Robert Tillis and President Jason Tillis.

LongueVue Capital, a New Orleans-based private equity firm, has recapitalized Wagner Logistics and provided growth capital to support the 3PL's continued expansion. Wagner Logistics, headquartered in North Kansas City, Missouri, operates 24 facilities across 13 states with over 7 million square feet of warehouse space and 650+ employees, serving customers across industries including aerospace & defense, automotive and direct-to-consumer.

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. acquired 100% of UTXL, Inc., a Kansas City-based third-party logistics and truckload brokerage firm, for approximately $22.5 million. The deal expands Knight-Swift’s logistics and brokerage capabilities while preserving UTXL’s brand and independent operations and includes customary working capital adjustments and escrowed/deferred consideration.

Pilot Freight Services (backed by ATL Partners and BCI) has acquired the company's Kansas City franchise, integrating the station and its employees into Pilot's corporate organization effective April 1, 2021. The acquisition expands Pilot's operational control of its nationwide network and follows a multi-year roll-up in which Pilot has acquired numerous franchise locations.

Offen Petroleum has closed on the acquisition of the business assets of Ozark Mountain Energy and its affiliate trucking company Petroleum Express, both based in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Offen — a portfolio company of Court Square Capital Partners — will operate the acquired businesses under the Ozark Mountain Energy name in the Mid-continent and Midwestern states, with Brent, Eric and Kyle Wilmoth joining Offen’s leadership; Brent also purchased a significant equity stake in Offen.

Tilia Holdings has acquired Trilogy Warehouse Partners, a St. Louis-based provider of cold storage and multi-temperature warehousing services, effective December 6, 2019. The acquisition expands Tilia’s cold-chain and warehousing footprint in the Midwest and complements its existing portfolio companies (Refrig-It and Universal Pure) to provide broader geographic coverage and service capabilities.

Tailwind Capital has acquired Banner Solutions from High Road Capital Partners; the sale closed on October 31, 2019. Banner Solutions, a Kansas City, Missouri-based wholesale distributor of door hardware, electronic access control and security products, was owned by High Road since 2017 and grew through multiple add-ons under its ownership.

Sterling Investment Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, announced an investment in Marcone Appliance Parts, a St. Louis-based distributor of OEM residential appliance repair parts. Sterling said it will partner with Marcone’s management to support continued growth, leveraging Marcone’s national distribution footprint and technology-driven operations.