Chicago—July 7, 2011—Echo Global Logistics, Inc., a technology-driven transportation management company, has acquired substantially all of the assets of Advantage Transport, Inc., a truckload (TL) transportation `brokerage firm based in Phoenix, Ariz. Echo has retained the entire Advantage Transport workforce in connection with this acquisition.
Advantage Transport’s owners, Joe Larson and Matt Steckner, have more than 30 years of combined industry experience. Advantage Transport is composed of skilled transportation professionals who specialize in TL shipping, carrier relations and servicing customers ranging from small shippers to large Fortune 500 companies. Effective immediately, Advantage Transport will begin doing business as Echo Global Logistics, Inc.
"Our growth strategy focuses on applying our business model to key regional markets and this acquisition brings expertise and significant depth to our carrier relationships in the Southwestern region of the United States,” said Douglas R. Waggoner, Chief Executive Officer of Echo Global Logistics. "Advantage Transport has built solid client relationships based on a foundation of excellent customer service. The combination of Echo and Advantage Transport will enable Advantage Transport’s workforce to continue to provide the excellent customer service that their clients are accustomed to, while at the same time leveraging Echo’s transportation offerings to their clients."
Advantage owners Larson and Steckner will continue as Regional Vice Presidents of Echo’s branch office in Phoenix.
In calendar year 2010, Advantage Transport generated approximately $26 million in gross revenue and is expected to be immediately accretive to Echo’s earnings.
