Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Ruan Transportation Management Systems recently expanded its operation by acquiring National Truck Brokers.
Celebrating its 90th year as a family-owned and operated organization, Ruan ranks among the country’s largest truck transportation outfits. With a reported 4,000 professional drivers already onboard, acquiring the Michigan-based National Truck Brokers (NTB) adds a staff of 270 and a fleet upwards of 235 trucks used to service grocery customers across, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
“Growth through acquisition has been relatively uncommon at Ruan, but we have done so selectively when there’s a true, strategic fit and the opportunity to sustain and strengthen relationships with important customers,” Ruan CEO Ben McLean reportedly stated. “We’ve found those positive elements at NTB.”
Rick Koster, son of NTB founder Dan Koster, appears optimistic the merger will result in growth and increased opportunity for all parties. Although NTB would largely function independently, plans are underway to replace the aging fleet with late-model Freightliners.
“Sometimes charting the best path to accelerating progress and sustainability requires taking strategic leaps like joining forces with the right parent company,” Koster reportedly said. “This agreement with Ruan provides a great opportunity for NTB to continue to grow and provide stability for our team members and customers.”
Along with freight transportation, Ruan reportedly has ownership interests in Bankers Trust, Concentric International, an agricultural machinery supplier, and Ruan Properties, which manages a pair of Ruan Center high-rises in downtown Des Moines. In related news, Dan Van Alstine, president and COO of Ruan Transportation, was recently appointed as the American Trucking Associations’ chairman of the board.
Orange EV Rolls Out 500th Yard Truck
The leader in zero-emission yard trucks recently surpassed the 500-vehicle milestone, as ports and freight transportation organizations move to reduce air pollution.
“With this historic milestone, Orange EV has accomplished the seemingly impossible feat of generating excitement about EV trucks within the commercial trucking space, and we did it by manufacturing trucks that are superior operationally, financially, and environmentally,” Orange EV CEO Wayne Mathisen reportedly said. “Our trucks are safer, more reliable, save our customers money vs. diesel, and are preferred by drivers and management alike.”
Founded in 2012, Orange EV started rolling out yard vehicles in 2015 and its 500th model was purchased by United Natural Foods, considered the “largest publicly traded wholesale distributor of health and specialty food in the United States and Canada.” United Natural Foods plans to add another eight Orange EV yard trucks by the end of November, bringing its fleet to ten.
“Since the first Orange EV trucks were placed in service, we have been very happy with the performance, reliability, ROI, and environmental impact they are making,” Jeff Wismans, National Director of Fleet Operations at UNFI, reportedly said. “It made it an easy decision to add eight more.”
Yard vehicles are reportedly being converted to battery-electric models at a faster rate than semi-trucks. Studies indicate they are more cost-effective than diesel models in warehousing and port settings.
Sources: ruan.com, desmoinesregister.com, prnewswire.com
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