Transportation deals: RoadLink acquires West Coast Trucking

Jeff Berman, Senior Editor -- Logistics Management, 2/15/2008

ATLANTA—Intermodal trucking and logistics services provider RoadLink said this week it has purchased West Coast Trucking (WCT), a Seattle-based intermodal trucking service provider.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

WCT has operations centers in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, and it moves containerized freight between ports or rail terminals to shipper and/or receiver locations. The company provides services for ocean carriers, shippers, railroads and intermodal marketing companies with its 70-truck fleet. RoadLink President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Munro said in a statement that bringing WCT into the fold will strategically expand RoadLink’s presence in the Pacific Northwest, as well as expand the service to Canadian markets.

“RoadLink is working to further reinforce its leadership position in intermodal transportation, rail and port services, and warehouse support/freight handling capabilities across North America, Munro told LM in an interview.  “WCT is a solid regional transportation provider in Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and we see this as a growing region that fits nicely into our overall North American offerings.” 

Munro added that RoadLink is “constantly evaluating” the potential acquisition of companies that could provide synergies to RoadLink, and he explained that WCT showed “great prospects” for the company. He added that RoadLink will continue to look at other companies that will add value to RoadLink and its North American customer base.WCT has operations centers in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, and it moves containerized freight between ports or rail terminals to shipper and/or receiver locations. The company provides services for ocean carriers, shippers, railroads and intermodal marketing companies with its 70-truck fleet. RoadLink President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Munro said in a statement that bringing WCT into the fold will strategically expand RoadLink’s presence in the Pacific Northwest, as well as expand the service to Canadian markets.

In terms of what factors made WCT specifically stand out, Munro cited several things, including: a strong team of 25 associates and 75 independent contractors, a solid book of business in important U.S. and Canada intermodal markets, the ability to provide greater depth of combined services in those markets, and a shared view on the significance of technology in delivering advanced intermodal [services].

The reasons above, coupled with a larger service footprint and combined synergies, are what Munro said will provide improved service benefits for shippers.

“The Pacific Northwest and Canada play a significant gateway position in trade routes between manufacturers in Asia and customers across North America,” said Munro. “Our responsibility to RoadLink customers is to provide solutions that connect suppliers and markets efficiently and effectively, and the added bench strength that WCT provides to our existing RoadLink capabilities and capacities provides us with additional means of delivering value to RoadLink customers.” 

RoadLink is a subsidiary of New York-based private equity firm Fenway Partners. Fenway acquired RoadLink in September 2006.