Ownership and operations of Bowlus Trucking has transferred to a partnership in a friendly transaction that closed today, Dec. 22. The company will remain headquartered in Fremont, Ohio, and will continue to operate as Bowlus Trucking. Terms of the transaction were not announced.
Partners Mitchell Lance and Todd Petrowski will assume ownership and day-to-day responsibility, with Jim Myers also joining as an equity investor. Previous owners Pete Werling and Gary Horn will remain with the firm in an advisory capacity.
“We felt very comfortable welcoming Mitch and Todd into our business because they have an outstanding track record of providing transportation clients with excellent service and innovative solutions,” says Werling, whose grandfather founded the company in 1920. “Our customers and employees are going to benefit from the experience, creativity and dedication the new leadership brings to Bowlus Trucking.”
The new ownership will retain and expand Bowlus Trucking’s focus on providing flexible trucking and transportation management services to middle-market companies. Bowlus’ operations staff averages more than 15 years of experience with little turnover. “In this industry, you don’t often find the combination of experience, long-term employees, excellent technology and high service levels that Bowlus Trucking has,” says Lance. “We have admired this company and are very excited to help build on its legacy of outstanding customer service.”
Lance led the acquisition and will serve as president of Bowlus Trucking. He has more than 15 years of experience in the transportation industry, including senior sales and management positions with Penske Truck Leasing and Dedicated Transport. Lance most recently was director of business development at Dedicated, where he created numerous custom transportation management plans for clients and oversaw implementation of technology systems to improve efficiency and customer service.
Petrowski has worked in the transportation industry for 34 years since starting as an apprentice mechanic. He has held general manager and operations manager positions at Paclease, Carnation, TL Express and Dedicated Transport. Petrowski has overseen fleets and drivers in many industries and transportation environments, including leased fleet, dedicated contract carriage and owner-operator service for the automotive, manufacturing, agricultural and other industries. He joins Bowlus from Dedicated Transport, where he was general manager overseeing 24/7 just-in-time distribution operations for automotive suppliers.
Myers is the owner of Strema Investments, a real estate investment and development firm, which he started three years ago after 16 years in the financial services industry with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, National City Bank and GE Capital.
Founded in 1920, Bowlus Trucking is one of the oldest continuously operating transportation services providers. Bowlus operates a fleet of tractors and trailers with satellite tracking and communication capabilities and also offers brokerage and warehousing services. Bowlus’ service network spans nine surrounding states.
