ABF Logistics Acquires Bear Transportation Services

ABF Logistics, a principal operating subsidiary of publicly held ArcBest Corp. of Fort Smith, has acquired Bear Transportation Services LP, a private, non-asset truckload brokerage firm headquartered in Plano, Texas.

The deal was announced Dec. 1. Terms were not disclosed.

Bear Transportation, founded in 1982, has more than 140 employees located in Plano and Fayetteville and has approximately $120 million in annual revenue, serving a variety of industry segments.

“This company is an excellent fit for ABF Logistics, as we believe the purchase will drive growth and profitability by combining our vision, brand and customer relationships with Bear’s deep pool of experienced sales and operations team members,” ABF Logistics president Jim Ingram said in a news release. “We have admired the Bear organization for years and have been impressed with the skillsets and innovative IT concepts we have seen in action.”

ABF Logistics has experienced rapid growth since it was formed in 2013. This acquisition is the second of the year for the company after its purchase of Oklahoma City-based Smart Lines Transportation Group in January.

“We are pleased to find a strategic buyer with a strong culture and a clear growth plan,” Mike Loehr, a principal owner of Bear Transportation, said in the release. “Our employees and our customers will benefit from the resources and solutions ABF Logistics and the broader ArcBest organization will provide.”

ABF Logistics offers variety of third-party services. The company has previously stated its strategy to grow its logistics businesses both organically and through acquisitions that add scale to existing services.