Third-party logistics services company Direct Connect Logistix (DCL) is acquiring Hoosier Logistics, a freight brokerage company with specialization in asset-light, temperature-controlled transportation solutions for the food, beverage, and related industries.
DCL CEO Richard Piontek said, via the acquisition, his company immediately gains scale and resources "and will benefit from Hoosier's roster of blue-chip food and beverage customers."
Both Hoosier Logistics CEO Rob Likens and COO Nick Likens – each founders of the company – will join the combined company to help lead an expansion plan for DCL's brokerage operations while Piontek leads the combined company. Nick Likens will join DCL's executive management team and Rob Likens will lead the asset-based truckload services division.
The transaction comes just a few weeks after DCL's acquisition of Performance Logistics, a cold food chain focused freight brokerage in Salt Lake City. With operations in the Midwest and Mountain West, as well as Texas, the addition of Hoosier provides the combined company with a larger regional and national presence, along with a customer base that will drive additional organic growth.
"The freight brokerage industry continues to evolve and thrive in a volatile market with tight capacity and resulting rate pressure. Our acquisition of Hoosier Logistics further supports our strategy to develop a top North American transportation management platform and expand our capabilities with a deliberate and strategic focus on the cold chain segment," Piontek said.
