VAN BUREN, Ark. — USA Truck said Thursday it had acquired privately-held Davis Transfer Co. and related entities of Carnesville, Georgia.
Davis is a southeast regional carrier with approximately $50 million in revenues and a recent operating ratio in the upper 80’s. The company was founded by Harry Davis in 1959 and has been a family owned business since that time.
Davis has been managed as a full truckload carrier for the past 20 years by Gary, Bill and Todd Davis.
Todd Davis will join the USA Truck leadership team as a vice president. Davis will operate independently of USA Truck as a wholly owned subsidiary. Davis’ employees and customers should notice little change moving forward.
James Reed, president and CEO of USA Truck, said Davis has a reputation as a safe operator, having been named Florida’s Safest Carrier in both 2016 and 2017, adding that the company also has a long history of outstanding service and is a recognized leader by its customers in regional, quasi-dedicated truckload freight.
“Davis represents a unique opportunity to add capacity, loyal customers, and exceptional drivers — all of whom are committed to the continued strong performance of the business,” Reed said. “The Davis family has been a great steward of the organization, with a strong track record of success and profitability, and this partnership reflects the next natural step in the progression and growth of Davis.”
Reed said the acquisition gives USA Truck a greater presence in the southeast and provides three key strategic opportunities: increased alignment with driver domiciles, enhanced maintenance facility presence, and financial synergies.
“We believe there are opportunities to enhance the flow of driver movements into and out of existing markets – which we anticipate will minimize deadhead and enhance capacity availability and service to our customers,” Reed said. “We intend to drive improvements to the maintenance cost structure of both USA Truck and Davis by leveraging Davis’ existing terminal infrastructure. Finally, we anticipate the realization of certain financial synergies, especially in the procurement area. We believe these advantages, coupled with what we expect will be a substantially and immediately accretive business, make this acquisition a great fit.”
The transaction will be primarily funded via the company’s revolving credit facility and cash on hand, with a minimal equity issuance provided to Todd Davis to ensure strong alignment with interests of USA Truck shareholders.
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