RICHMOND, VA Estes Express Lines today announced 100 percent acquisition of Los Angeles-based carrier G.I. Trucking, effectively expanding Estes U.S. territory to provide service to 46 states, coast to coast.
The two companies already had a strong relationship through their 10-year-old, less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier network, ExpressLINK. Estes has also maintained joint ownership of G.I. Trucking since 2001, when Estes Express and the senior management of G.I. teamed up to purchase G.I. Trucking from then-owner Arkansas Best Corporation.
The two companies already share the same computer network, a common marketing function and identical platforms for expedited, guaranteed shipping services.
Customers now will also enjoy, among other benefits, one billing system and one rate negotiation process. Robey W. "Rob" Estes Jr., will serve as president and CEO for the entire operation. G.I. senior management, sales and operations functions will begin the transition of doing business under the new Estes Express Lines ownership, and G.I. Trucking President William T. Reid will serve as president of G.I./Estes West.
"We are very excited about our future as a larger carrier under Estes management," Reid said. "Senior management from both companies realized that while the two companies had gone far as separate entities, they could go much farther joined together. This is a logical next step for Estes as a national player in the LTL market."
President and CEO Rob Estes pointed to the long history of cooperation between the two companies. "We have been working together very successfully as a team for 10 years now. At this point, we are ready for the next step. This purchase effectively combines the strengths of both companies to position us at a much higher level," said Estes. "Our shared mission of exceeding customers expectations and continually finding even better, more effective ways of doing business will help make this a seamless transition."