Two acquisitions by PS Logistics announced in the past two weeks of each other, are expected to grow its flatbed, dedicated dry van and brokerage capabilities.
The Birmingham, Alabama-based logistics company acquired the flatbed division of ELS, in Kenley, North Carolina through its subsidiary Blair Logistics, PS Logistics announced Jan. 17. The purchase includes 90 tractors and more than 240 over-length flatbed trailers.
The deal followed the company’s Jan. 8 announcement it had purchased of Buddy Moore Trucking, also based in Birmingham. That acquisition included 130 flatbed trucks, 120 dry van trucks and a brokerage division, according to the announcement.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed. According to PS Logistics, it has acquired 25 trucking operations and five non-asset logistics operations across the U.S. since 2016, including recent deals for Action Dedicated of Birmingham, Alabama, and Jacksonville, Florida-based heavy-hauling specialist Rinaudo Enterprises and its affiliate Ringo Specialized Hauling.
The newly acquired ELS flatbed division will operate under Blair, PS Logistics said. It will complement its existing over-length segment and expand its geographic coverage, company Co-Founder and CEO Scott Smith said in a statement. ELS has a flatbed terminal in Kenly, North Carolina, according to its website.
Tim Butts, owner of ELS, who founded the company in 2009, looks forward to seeing the flatbed business he helped launch grow as part of PS Logistics.
“ELS has worked in similar geographies and with similar customers as PS Logistics’ operating companies for many years, and we’ve been able to see firsthand how well they service customers and set up drivers for success,” Butts said in a statement. ELS will continue operating its heavy haul and intermodal divisions.
Smith said he has known the Moore family for decades and respects them and the company they have built.
The addition of Buddy Moore Trucking expands PS Logistics’ flatbed division as well as its dedicated dry van operations and geographic footprint, Smith said. Buddy Moore Trucking’s core service area includes the East Coast, Northeast, Midwest and Southeast.
Buddy Moore Trucking, founded by E.H. “Buddy” Moore Jr. in 1999, will operate as a stand-alone division of PS Logistics and will continue to be managed by its President and CEO Buck Moore, the statement said.
Buck Moore appreciates how well PS Logistics has handled other acquisitions.
“I look forward to what we will achieve together now that BMT has access to a larger freight network, additional capital, and wider array of customer solutions,” Moore said in a statement.
