Transportation Acquisitions in 2023

TFI International completed its previously announced all-cash acquisition of Daseke, Inc. for $8.30 per share, valuing the transaction at approximately $1.1 billion. The deal closed in early April 2024 and Daseke will operate as part of TFI's Truckload segment; TFI also closed a $500 million term loan to support the transaction.

Wesco Group has acquired English Color & Supply, a super-regional distributor of automotive paint, equipment and supplies based in Richardson, Texas, from WestView Capital Partners. The transaction expands Wesco's footprint in the southern and central United States; terms were not disclosed.

BWT Logistics, a Bluejay Capital portfolio company, has acquired International Express Trucking (IET), a regional 3PL in North Carolina. The add-on expands BWT’s contract logistics and warehousing footprint in the state; IET’s president Howard Shope will join BWT as Senior Vice President of Operations and retain a meaningful ownership stake. Bluejay Capital financed the transaction with participation from Argosy Private Equity, Southfield Mezzanine, Spring Capital Partners and KeyBank; terms were not disclosed.

American Industrial Partners (AIP) has become the majority and controlling shareholder of Norway-based AquaShip AS and Intership AS and will merge the two companies into a single global aquaculture service vessel operator. Talweg Capital co-invested in the combined company; Alchemy sold its stake in Intership. The combined business will operate a fleet of 39 vessels with nearly 700 employees and serve salmon farmers across Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Chile, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

NOVA Infrastructure completed the acquisition of A&R Bulk-Pak, a Moncks Corner, South Carolina provider of contract packaging, transloading, rail-served warehousing and logistics services to petrochemical producers and traders. As part of the transaction A&R entered a strategic partnership with Harbor Logistics (a NOVA portfolio company) to broaden service offerings and pursue growth across North American port-centric logistics markets.

ITE Management L.P. has acquired a majority ownership stake in Trend Intermodal Chassis Leasing LLC, a Kearny, New Jersey–based chassis leasing company. The investment will expand ITE’s intermodal chassis portfolio and provide Trend with operational and capital support while founder and CEO Ayman Awad and the existing management team remain in place.

Oliver Wyman, a business of Marsh McLennan, has agreed to acquire SeaTec Consulting Inc., a provider of consulting, engineering, and digital services for the aviation, aerospace & defense, and transportation industries. SeaTec will integrate with Oliver Wyman's CAVOK aviation division to expand technical services and scale aviation, aerospace, and defense consulting capabilities globally; the transaction is expected to close in Q1 2024.

AmeriGuard Security Services, Inc. (OTCQX: AGSS) announced the acquisition of TransportUS, Inc. in an all-stock transaction to expand the company's service portfolio into transportation. The deal is intended to combine TransportUS's transportation infrastructure with AmeriGuard's security capabilities to offer integrated solutions and drive topline growth.

Bestpass, a toll management and payment platform, has acquired Fleetworthy Solutions, a provider of fleet safety, compliance, and risk management software and services. The deal integrates Fleetworthy's CPSuite compliance platform with Bestpass's tolling and payments capabilities to create a one-stop, tech-powered offering for commercial fleets; terms were not disclosed.

Econolite (part of Umovity) has acquired the operational business of its distribution partner RAI Products (Charlotte, NC) to expand its One-Stop-Shop intelligent transportation systems (ITS) portfolio and strengthen distribution and vendor relationships in the U.S. Southeast. RAI, a family-owned distributor founded in 1954, will integrate into Econolite's distribution network to support municipalities, state DOTs, and contractors with traffic signal hardware, ITS software, and related services.

Copenhagen-based Danelec has acquired the AI-based technology platform from New York-based Nautilus Labs to combine Danelec’s onboard data capture hardware and install base with Nautilus Labs’ fleet-performance analytics. The deal adds vessel optimization and advanced machine-learning analytics to Danelec’s offering, while the Nautilus platform will continue to operate and support existing customers under Danelec ownership.

Guardian Fleet Services has acquired Euless B&B Wrecker Service, marking Guardian's first location in Texas and continuing its roll-up expansion beyond Florida. The Chesney family (Andy & Debi) will remain involved in leadership, and Backcast Partners provided follow-on investment to support the acquisition as part of Guardian's platform growth strategy.

Blue Yonder has acquired Doddle, a London‑based first‑ and last‑mile technology business that provides returns management, PUDO networks and self‑service kiosks. The deal adds reverse logistics and returns capabilities to Blue Yonder's WMS, OMS and TMS suite, extending its end‑to‑end supply chain offering for retailers, carriers and logistics providers.

3i-backed Regional Rail has agreed to acquire the Indiana Eastern Railroad and the Ohio South Central Railroad, adding a combined 107 miles of short-line freight track across Indiana and Ohio. The deal expands Regional Rail’s Midwest footprint and strengthens its ability to serve industrial customers in end markets including food & agriculture and chemicals.

Dreamliner Luxury Coaches, a Nashville-based provider of upscale tour and executive coaches, has acquired Hemphill Brothers Coach Company, nearly tripling Dreamliner’s fleet to 190 vehicles. The acquisition makes Dreamliner the largest entertainer coach company and expands its ability to service over 50% of large arena and stadium tours across the United States and Canada.

Norland Equity Partners Acquisition Limited (NEP), supported by investor partner Aurica Capital Search Fund, has acquired The Combined Services Provider (CSP), a UK traffic management, car parking and event stewarding specialist headquartered in Watford. NEP will back CSP's UK and international expansion—starting with growth in the North of England and wider Europe—while making changes to the company's board and leadership to support scaling.

Astatine Investment Partners, a Greenwich, Connecticut–based infrastructure-focused private equity firm, has acquired McKeil Marine Limited, a Canadian marine transportation and project services provider, from TorQuest Partners. Astatine said it will partner with McKeil's management to expand the company's service offerings and fleet while leveraging McKeil's long-term inflation-linked contracts to provide downside protection.

Beacon Mobility has acquired Rolling V Bus Corporation, a family-owned full-service transportation company based in South Fallsburg, New York. Rolling V — which operates seven locations, a fleet of 277 vehicles and roughly 380 employees — will join Beacon Mobility's growing family of local transportation companies, expanding Beacon's footprint in upstate New York and the Catskills region.

Propark Mobility has acquired Atlantic Parking, a Washington, D.C.-area parking management company led by Marty Janis. The deal strengthens Propark's presence in the D.C. metro, adding Atlantic's local parking, valet and mobility expertise and technology integrations to Propark's national portfolio.

Bulk Express Transport, a portfolio company of Alterna Equity Partners, has acquired Attaway Hauling and Choice Bulk Carriers. The acquisition expands Bulk Express's footprint and service offering across the Southeastern United States, combining transfer station management, long-haul waste transportation and bulk materials hauling; the combined businesses operate roughly 200 trucks and ~200 employees.

CRST The Transportation Solution, Inc. has acquired Mansfield, Texas-based BCB Transport, a privately held trucking and logistics operator. The deal adds BCB's asset-light capacity and safety-focused operations to CRST's Capacity Solutions business to deepen customer relationships and expand capacity in dense transportation corridors.

UPS has agreed to acquire Happy Returns, a U.S.-based software and reverse logistics company, from PayPal. The deal (terms undisclosed) will fold Happy Returns' no-box, no-label returns platform and drop-off network into UPS's package network and The UPS Store footprint — expanding box-free return availability to more than 12,000 U.S. locations; Happy Returns CEO David Sobie will continue to lead the business. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.

Strategic Value Partners (SVP) has acquired 100% of APCOA Parking Holdings from Centerbridge and other minority shareholders following regulatory approvals. APCOA is Europe’s leading parking operator, managing more than 1.8 million parking spaces across 13,000 sites with ~5,000 employees and ~€900 million in annual revenue; SVP intends to drive operational improvements and expand APCOA's digital services and EV charging capabilities.

Cadence Petroleum Group, a Wellspring Capital Management-backed distributor, has acquired Hoosier Penn Oil, Inc., an Indianapolis-based distributor of motor oil, lubricants, and car care chemicals. Periculum Capital advised HP Oil on the sale as Cadence seeks to increase the density of its Indiana footprint; HP Oil will continue to operate under its current name while leveraging Cadence's broader product and service offerings.

Nashville-based Parking Management Company (PMC) has acquired ParkPoolr, a Minneapolis-based parking technology and management business. The deal brings ParkPoolr's proprietary payment processing and lot-management technology into PMC's tech suite and expands PMC's self-parking footprint by 61 lots across 21 new markets.

Readypower Group Limited has acquired Total Rail Solutions Limited (TRS) from Rutland Partners LLP, completing Rutland’s planned exit on 16 October 2023. TRS, a UK provider of Road Rail Vehicles supporting Network Rail and principal contractors, will be integrated into Readypower’s operations to strengthen its rail on-track plant capability.

Love's Travel Stops has acquired TVC Pro-Driver from Gauge Capital. TVC, headquartered in Oklahoma City, provides subscription-based commercial driver's license (CDL) legal protection, roadside assistance and other driver benefits; the deal expands Love's customer offerings for professional drivers.

Metropolis Technologies agreed to acquire SP Plus Corporation for $54.00 per share in cash, implying an enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion. The transaction is financed with $1.7 billion of committed equity and debt financing led by Eldridge and 3L Capital (among others) and is expected to close in 2024, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Wren House Infrastructure Management has agreed to purchase an equity stake in SeaCube Container Leasing Ltd., entering a co-control arrangement with Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. The investment will support SeaCube's growth plans—particularly its refrigerated container and cold‑chain offerings—by combining Wren House's infrastructure expertise with Ontario Teachers' ongoing ownership and SeaCube's management team.

Vehicle Management Solutions LLC (a portfolio company of Mill Point Capital) has acquired TEGSCO LLC, a provider of auto pound management services operating in San Francisco and Indianapolis. The deal expands VMS's geographic footprint and combines TEGSCO's technology and municipal auto-pound expertise with VMS's nationwide resources to enhance outsourced vehicle storage and related services for municipalities, law enforcement and transportation agencies.

FleetPride, the nation’s largest distributor of aftermarket heavy-duty truck parts and service, has acquired Raney's Truck Center, a long-standing parts and service provider based in Ocala, Florida. The acquisition expands FleetPride’s footprint in Florida and supplements its parts and service capabilities to better serve local and nationwide trucking customers.

Customs Support Group has acquired Zollimpex (part of BKM Customs and Consulting AG) to strengthen its presence in Switzerland. The acquisition, aligned with Customs Support's buy-and-build strategy (backed by Castik Capital), expands its service footprint in the Basel region and enhances its digital customs and clearance capabilities.

All Traffic Data Services, a portfolio company of Seaport Capital, has acquired Traffic Survey Specialists, a Delray Beach-based traffic data collection and analysis firm. The acquisition expands All Traffic Data's footprint in Florida (adding a Delray Beach office) and brings TSS founder Kevin McNally on as an advisor to support regional service growth.

A fund managed by Maritime Partners, LLC acquired Norfolk, Virginia-based U.S. Marine Management LLC (USMMI) from Maersk Line, Limited on September 20, 2023. The deal adds USMMI’s fleet and long-term government contracts (including Military Sealift Command work and a Tanker Security Program award) to the acquiring fund’s portfolio to expand capabilities and diversify assets and counterparties.

PolyQuest, Inc., a privately held thermoplastic resin distributor based in Wilmington, North Carolina, has agreed to acquire Baker Transportation, Inc., an asset-based regional carrier headquartered in Lake City, South Carolina. The deal (expected to close October 1, 2023) gives PolyQuest direct transportation and logistics capabilities while the Baker family will remain involved in operations.

Bird Global, Inc. acquired Skinny Labs, Inc. (doing business as Spin) from Berlin-based TIER Mobility for $19 million in a deal that included $10 million cash upfront, $6 million vendor take back and $3 million holdback. The acquisition makes Bird North America’s largest micromobility operator by market share, adds Spin’s ~60,000-vehicle fleet and ~50-city footprint, and is expected to deliver more than $20 million in synergies and be immediately accretive to earnings.

Funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners have acquired Fortbrand Services LLC from a fund managed by Wincove Private Holdings and other investors. Fortbrand is an asset-backed ground support equipment (GSE) and airport maintenance equipment (AME) lessor serving airlines, airports, cargo companies and FBOs across the United States, United Kingdom and Canada; Basalt said it will support the company's next stage of growth and asset-base expansion.

Propark Mobility has acquired California Parking, a family-run parking operator headquartered in San Francisco with more than 20 locations across the city. The acquisition expands Propark’s West Coast footprint and transitions ownership from the Puccinelli family to Propark while maintaining California Parking’s local operations and team.

Autonomy, an electric vehicle subscription company based in Santa Monica, has agreed to acquire the technology, assets and customer accounts of EV Mobility, an all-electric car-sharing platform that provides EVs as an amenity to hotels and multi-family properties. The deal (cash and stock, terms undisclosed) is intended to accelerate Autonomy's entry into car-sharing, expand its product offering, and scale usage through EV Mobility's existing hospitality and property partnerships; the transaction is expected to close in Q4 2023.

Green Mobility Holding (GMH), a Germany-based technology-enabled bike-leasing group backed by Rivean Capital, has acquired Belgian bike-leasing provider o2o. The deal brings o2o's ~45 employees and its customer relationships (over 1,000 corporate clients) into GMH as a first step in the platform's expansion outside Germany.

Star Leasing Company, a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, has signed an agreement to combine with Commercial Trailer Leasing (CTL) and North East Trailer Services (NETS). The combination creates one of the largest full-service trailer lessors in the United States with an expected combined fleet of approximately 55,000 trailers and expanded national coverage.

Ever.Ag, the Lewisville, Texas–based AgTech provider, has acquired Roger, a digital platform for bulk agricultural commodity trucking and logistics. The acquisition integrates Roger's freight-management and carrier/shipper marketplace with Ever.Ag's data analytics, aiming to deliver near-real-time logistics information and improved supply-chain transparency for agribusiness customers.

Funds managed by Maritime Partners, LLC (through newly-formed Project Merchant Acquisition LLC) agreed to buy American Tanker Holding Company, Inc. (ATHC), AMSC ASA's Jones Act tanker business, for aggregate gross cash proceeds to AMSC of US$249.3 million (enterprise value reported at US$746.7 million). ATHC owns nine handysize product tankers and one handysize shuttle tanker on long-term bareboat charters to Overseas Shipholding Group and Keystone Shipping; the deal is intended to complement Maritime Partners' existing vessel-lease portfolio and diversify lessee and asset exposure in the protected Jones Act market.

LongueVue Capital (LVC) has partnered with TTi Logistics and CEO & Founder Jeff Rossier in a recapitalization that provides growth capital to support the company’s expansion. TTi, an asset-light third-party logistics provider headquartered in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, will leverage LVC’s industry experience and capital to grow its white-glove transportation, storage and installation services across retail, events and healthcare end markets.

Delta Air Lines, Certares Management LLC and Knighthead Capital Management LLC (via CK Opportunities) agreed to provide a $500 million facility — $400 million term loan plus a $100 million liquidity facility from Delta — to Wheels Up to support the company’s business transformation. As part of the recapitalization, Wheels Up will issue Class A common stock to participating lenders (who are expected to own ~95% post-transaction) to stabilize operations and accelerate the company’s path to profitability.

Mondee Holdings, Inc. has acquired Skypass Travel, Inc. for approximately $15 million in a cash-and-stock transaction (including $3 million cash and the remainder in Mondee stock at $10 per share, with potential additional stock upon achievement of growth targets). Skypass, a U.S.-based wholesale and corporate travel services provider with corporate clients across the U.S., Europe and India and 2022 revenue of $45 million, will be integrated into Mondee's digital travel marketplace to expand Mondee's corporate bookings, supplier contract access and additional platform features.

Bentley Systems' corporate venture arm, iTwin Ventures, has acquired Blyncsy, a Salt Lake City–based provider of AI and computer-vision services for transportation operations and roadway asset analytics. Blyncsy will adopt Bentley's iTwin Platform and its AI roadway analytics will be incorporated into Bentley's mobility and infrastructure digital twin offerings to accelerate asset analytics for departments of transportation and other infrastructure owners.

OnLine Transport Inc., a national asset-based carrier headquartered in Greenfield, Indiana, acquired A/T Transportation and Automated Logistics, Inc. of Ferdinand, Indiana, effective August 11, 2023. The deal is an add-on to OnLine’s expanding platform—its sixth acquisition since 2019—adding truckload capacity, warehousing and brokerage capabilities and new shipper relationships.

Econolite, part of Umovity, has acquired its long-time distribution partner Western Pacific Signal, LLC (WPS). The acquisition expands Econolite’s One-Stop-Shop ITS capabilities and adds experienced technical sales and field support resources across the Western United States.

TransMedics Group, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement (and subsequently completed) to acquire Summit Aviation, a U.S. charter flight operator, to establish TransMedics Aviation and provide dedicated air logistics for organ transplantation. The acquisition brings Summit's charter expertise and team (founder Ben Walton to join TransMedics as VP of Aviation Services) to support TransMedics' National OCS Program and expand its organ transport capabilities nationwide.