Dive Brief:
- Estes Logistics, part of Estes Express Lines, acquired Key Trucking in Washington state as of Jan. 1, marking a significant expansion for the business in the Pacific Northwest.
- The addition brings on a fleet of over 25 power units and 100 trailers, and all employees will remain, Estes said in a news release shared Tuesday with Trucking Dive.
- “Our customers — many of whom have been with us for more than 25 years — can expect the same high level of service and care that has defined Key Trucking, now backed by the scale and resources of Estes,” Mike Castagno, co-president of Key Trucking, said in a statement.
Dive Insight:
The addition will now serve as a key gateway for Estes Logistics to Alaska, according to the business.
Other logistics service centers for Estes Logistics are in California, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, Texas and Florida, according to a company map. The network is separate from Estes Express Lines’ LTL business.
Key Trucking, based in Kent and founded in 1987, provides full truckload van and flatbed, same-day pick-up and delivery, hot shot services, warehousing, consolidation and deconsolidation services, storage, trans-loading and trailer rentals.
"When we first learned that the Castagno family was considering retirement, we were immediately excited about the opportunity to integrate Key Trucking's dedicated transportation network into our growing footprint," Bobby Speight, Estes corporate vice president, said in a statement.
Recent M&A has brought together other family-owned firms with industry titans, including Debrick Truck Line Co. folding into PGT Trucking, as well as major players moving to consolidate, such as Echo Global Logistics taking on ITS Logistics.
