RoadLink, a North American private independent intermodal logistics service provider, on Tuesday, July 1, announced the purchase of Vancouver, Wash.-based international intermodal trucking service provider American Freight Systems. Terms of the acquisition, RoadLink’s third this year, were not announced.
With major operations centers in Vancouver, Wash., and the ports of Tacoma, Wash., and Portland, Ore., AFS moves freight between these ports and a shipper’s or consignee’s location with a fleet of 55 company-owned trucks and super chassis, and 16 independent contractors. Started in 1998 by John Rogers, AFS has grown by providing reliable service throughout the region.
After a short transition period, AFS will implement RoadLink’s TrueVision operating technology designed to provide customers with visibility of their freight from their inbound cargo ships all the way to the floor of their operating facility. Following the conclusion of the transaction, Rogers will continue on as a consultant to the RoadLink team to ensure a smooth transition, and AFS officially will be rebranded as RoadLink.
As trade with the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow, the ports in the Pacific Northwest will become even more important, according to RoadLink; the combination of efficient port operations, coupled with reduced transit times between Asia and the Northwest, continue to fuel the growth in this region. “AFS’s presence in these markets, which are positioned for significant growth, combined with RoadLink’s North American infrastructure, will be a strategic advantage for all of our customers.” says Chris Munro, president and chief executive officer of Atlanta-based RoadLink.
AFS joins Seattle-based West Coast Trucking and C-Truck, the Canadian trucking portion of Hapag-Lloyd, as RoadLink’s third acquisition in 2008, and along with RoadLink’s newly announced strategic relationship with Canada-based Fenway portfolio company Fastfrate, dramatically enhances the company’s intermodal network across North America, Munro says. “Customers will benefit from the great synergies that result from these relationships, being able to select from either a single comprehensive end-to-end solution or individual best-of-breed services, depending on their specific circumstances and requirements,” he says.
