USPS contractor EVO Transportation & Energy Services has acquired West Side Transport (CCJ Top 250, No. 154), a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based 550 truck short-haul truckload carrier and companion brokerage. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In addition to West Side’s corporate headquarters and primary operations center in Cedar Rapids, the company also has terminals in Circle Pines, Minn., Glenwood, Ill., Indianapolis, Canton, Mich., Columbus, Ohio, and Chattanooga, Tenn.
West Side Transport will continue to operate as its own fully autonomous division, and day-to-day operations, personnel, management and services to customers are expected to remain unchanged.
"In EVO Transportation, West Side Transport has found a partner that helps expand its geographic footprint, as well as bringing efficiencies of scale helpful in a very competitive industry," said West Side founder Don Vogt, who will serve as a Board observer providing strategic advice and services to the combined company. Ron Joseph has been promoted from Chief Operating Officer to President of West Side Transport and will continue to manage all aspects of the business.
“We are excited about partnering with EVO and believe that our complementary strengths will help both companies grow and prosper," said Joseph.
The deal transitions EVO – a fleet of more than 900 power units with a national network– from being a predominantly USPS-focused carrier to a diversified transportation supplier with a broad customer mix, in keeping with USPS’s supplier preferences and requirements.
“From the moment we first set foot in Cedar Rapids, EVO was beyond excited about West Side Transport," said Michael Bayles, CEO of EVO Transportation. "Don Vogt dedicated his life to building an absolute best-in-class operation and we were drawn immediately to the quality staff, drivers, equipment and facilities. We are very excited about West Side joining the EVO family and look forward to honoring Don’s legacy.”
