Transportation Acquisitions in Pennsylvania

Propark Mobility has acquired Pittsburgh Valet, a regional valet-service provider, expanding Propark’s operations in Western Pennsylvania. The deal brings Pittsburgh Valet’s more than 20 years of hospitality- and event-focused parking experience into Propark’s national parking and mobility platform, providing additional technology and operational resources while preserving local service roots.

Funds managed by CVC DIF have acquired American Student Transportation Partners (ASTP) from Access Holdings. ASTP grew rapidly under Access's data-driven operating model—expanding from 435 to over 2,300 vehicles and transporting more than 90,000 students annually—and Access engaged Lincoln International, Miles & Stockbridge, and RSM as advisers on the sale.

Proficient Auto Logistics (NASDAQ: PAL) has acquired Brothers Auto Transport, LLC, a Wind Gap, Pennsylvania-based vehicle carrier founded in 1996. The deal expands PAL's fleet capacity by approximately 13%, adds experienced drivers and OEM partnerships, and strengthens PAL's presence in key northeastern U.S. markets.

Quantix SCS, a Wind Point Partners portfolio company, has acquired CLX Logistics, a Blue Bell, Pennsylvania-based provider of chemical-focused transportation management systems, managed services, liquid bulk 3PL and analytics. The deal expands Quantix's capabilities in liquid bulk and technology, creating a combined chemical-focused 3PL platform with more than $2 billion in logistics spend, approximately 5,400 owned assets, 40+ distribution centers and rail terminals, and 3,300 partner carrier relationships.

Infrastructure investor Ancala, together with Arkadia Capital, has launched short-line platform Phoenix Rail and completed its first acquisition of Lehigh Valley Rail Management (LVRM), which owns short line and terminal facilities at Bethlehem and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The acquisition is intended to serve as a platform buildout/add-on to expand rail infrastructure, customer relationships and services across the US short-line rail market.

Houston-based SMG Industries (SMGI) has acquired the Barnhart Transportation suite of businesses — including Barnhart Transportation, Barnhart Fleet Maintenance, Lake Shore Logistics, Lake Shore Global Solutions, Legend Equipment Leasing and Route 20 Tank Wash — in a transaction valued at roughly $53.3 million. The deal, structured with cash, stock options and a promissory note, brings a diversified set of trucking, LTL, intermodal, fleet maintenance and tank-wash capabilities into SMGI and is expected to materially increase the combined company's revenue and cross-selling opportunities.

Funds managed by Greenbriar Equity Group completed the acquisition of Towne Park, a tech-enabled parking, mobility and hospitality solutions provider, from TA Associates. The deal will support Towne Park’s management-led expansion plans—targeting both organic growth and acquisitions to widen national presence and broaden service offerings; financial terms were not disclosed.

Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLD) acquired 100% of the equity of Smith Transport, Inc. and related companies for an aggregate enterprise value of approximately $170 million. Smith Transport — an asset-based dry van truckload carrier headquartered in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania with ~850 company tractors — will continue to operate under its existing leadership and brand while leveraging Heartland's scale for purchasing and cost synergies.

American Track, a Fort Worth-based rail infrastructure services platform backed by DFW Capital Partners, has acquired The Railroad Associates Corp (TRAC) of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. The add-on expands American Track's service capabilities, customer base and national reach — strengthening its maintenance presence in the Northeast.

One Equity Partners (OEP) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PGW Auto Glass, the largest independent distributor of aftermarket auto glass in North America, from a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation. OEP will partner with PGW management, led by Todd Fencak as CEO, to establish PGW as an independent, standalone business and invest to accelerate growth across its distribution network of 113 facilities and ~900 employees.

Gemspring Capital Management (through an affiliate) has invested in Transport Investments, Inc., partnering with the company's executives while Revelstoke Capital Partners exited its investment. Transport is an asset-light heavy-haul, flatbed and specialized transportation and logistics provider operating across the United States and Canada and handles over 250,000 loads annually; Gemspring intends to support network expansion, capability enhancement and strategic add-on acquisitions.

Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC (FTAI) agreed to acquire United States Steel Corporation’s rail operating subsidiary, Transtar, LLC, for $640 million, with the transaction expected to close in Q3 2021 subject to regulatory approvals. FTAI and U.S. Steel will also enter a 15-year exclusive strategic rail services agreement (with minimum volume commitments for the first five years), providing FTAI with long-term contracted revenue and opportunities to grow third-party rail services and ancillary businesses.

Vitu, a nationwide vehicle titling and registration technology provider backed by Accel-KKR, acquired Pennsylvania-based TitleNGo on February 2, 2021. The acquisition integrates TitleNGo's PennDOT Online Registration Program Partner expertise and staff into Vitu to expand Pennsylvania operations and accelerate rollout of Vitu's electronic registration and titling (ERT) capabilities for dealerships and PennDOT.

3i Group plc has acquired Regional Rail, LLC from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. Regional Rail, a Kennett Square, Pennsylvania-based operator of short-line railroads and rail-related services (including Diamondback Signal), will be supported by 3i to pursue further growth and network expansion across its end markets such as agriculture, lumber and energy.

AEA Investors' Small Business Fund (AEA SBF) has completed the acquisition of American Expediting, a U.S.-based same-day ground courier and expedited logistics provider. The company, headquartered in Folcroft, Pennsylvania, serves time-critical shipments—particularly in the life sciences vertical—and operates more than 40 locations with over 300 employees and a network of independent contract drivers.