Birmingham, Alabama-based PS Logistics (CCJ Top 250, No. 37), through its DMT Trucking subsidiary, has acquired Noble LLC, including Noble Trucking and Noble Logistics. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This year has been a hot one for mergers and acquisitions among trucking fleets, particularly among CCJ's Top 250 for-hire carriers. There have been 11 mergers and acquisitions since the beginning of June among the Top 250. To date 21 Top 250 fleets have struck 19 deals this year.
[Related: Mergers and acquisitions changing the landscape of the country's largest carriers]
The transaction further strengthens DMT Trucking’s operations in the U.S., the company said. The combination of DMT Trucking and Noble positions PS Logistics as one of the largest 53-foot lightweight flatbed carriers in the country, with more than 400 power units and 1,000 trailers.
Noble, headquartered in Scottsboro, Alabama, has more than 100 trucks and 135 53-foot aluminum flatbed trailers. The company was founded with one truck in 1962 by Sam Noble Sr. and was purchased in 2016 by his son, Samuel, and two long-term managers.
“We are proud to welcome Noble to the PS Logistics family,” said Scott Smith, chief executive officer and co-founder of PS Logistics. “We look forward to working with Noble’s strong team of drivers and operators while also continuing to deliver best-in-class service to its customers.”
Samuel Noble Jr. said the company is happy to partner with PS Logistics and DMT Trucking.
“Over the last few decades, my father and our existing management team have built a successful trucking operation with dedicated employees that serve outstanding customers, and we will strive to continue that tradition with the same commitment to excellence,” Noble said. “I have known the PS Logistics team for many years, and I look forward to working with them on their journey to become the preeminent flatbed carrier in the country.”
The Noble acquisition continues PS Logistics’ acquisition strategy of partnering with family-owned and driver-focused companies within the flatbed trucking segment. Since 2014, PS Logistics has acquired and integrated 26 trucking and logistics operations.
