Dive Brief:
- EPES Logistics Services acquired freight brokerage A Cooper Logistics in May to expand its market reach and create opportunities, according to a news release.
- Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, EPES Logistics notched its fifth office in total with the addition of the Oakwood, Georgia-based business.
- EPES Logistics' last acquisition, Right Freight Solutions, was in January 2019, according to its website.
Dive Insight:
EPES Logistics provides TL, LTL, cross-border shipping to and from Mexico, and more, averaging over 4,000 customers annually with 250,000-plus loads.
The deal will expand its market reach, thanks to A Cooper Logistics’ focus on TL and LTL shipments in the U.S. and Canada. And according to EPES Logistics, retaining staff — whose industry knowledge will help its regional presence — was an important part in the deal.
An M&A advisory firm, Richardson, Texas-based Generational Equity, helped facilitate the sale. The deal adds to a flurry of M&A activity that is expected to continue as bigger firms seek to expand their services and coverage areas. Announced deals this year have included a slew of acquisition moves, such as: Schneider acquiring Ohio-based TL carrier Midwest Logistics Systems, DB Schenker acquiring USA Truck and Cummins acquiring Meritor.
The M&A activity for the trucking sector comes amid increased freight demand, driver and equipment shortages, increased regulation and higher capital costs, according to a PwC report published earlier this year.
