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Posts Tagged ‘trucking acquisitions’

2011 Merger Mania

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

I’m constantly asked if 2011 is like 2005 and 2006 – the answer is a resounding no!

  1. 2011 is very active.
  2. It’s certainly more active than 2010 – 2009, but;
  3.  2005 and 2006 were monumental years for the financial industry.

In 2005-2006, that was a period when the largest buyout record was set and surpassed several times with 9 out of the top 10 buyouts at the end of 2007 were announced in an 18 month window. In 2006, Private Equity firms purchased 654 US companies for $375 billion. This represented 18 times the level of transactions closed in 2003.

 

Additionally, Private Equity firms raised $215.4 billion on investment commitments to 32 funds, which surpassed the previous record set in 2000.

Ahern & Associates Ltd receives multiple assignments…..

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

North America’s Premier Transportation Consulting Firm, Ahern and Associates, Receives Multiple Additional Assignments from Trucking, Logistics and Private Equity Firms

Trucking and logistics consultants announce engagements by numerous new clients to review opportunities for acquisition.

 

 

 

Phoenix, AZ, September 5, 2011— Keeping their strong momentum while entering the final quarter of 2011, Ahern and Associates, Ltd. shows once again why they are the leading trucking and logistics acquisition firm by announcing consulting engagements by nine additional clients who are looking to expand operations. Andy Ahern, CEO of Ahern and Associates, who is well known for his ability to create markets within the transportation industry, makes this proclamation on the heels of their recent announcement of their second annual Transportation Conference to be held September 23rd in Chicago.

 

 Analysts at Ahern and Associates are seeking assistance for the following open assignments:

 

Client #1: is a privately held transportation company with revenues exceeding 1 billion dollars

 The company is looking to acquire:

  • Flatbed companies that are predominately independent contractor driven.
  • Minimum revenue - $80MM.
  • Maximum revenue - $400MM
  • Company is willing to pay cash.
  • Company is willing to pay a multiple of EBITDA.
  • Company is looking for profitable carriers that have a strong management team and will want to stay on after acquisition.

Client #2: is a publically traded company looking to acquire freight brokers and logistics providers whose revenues generate $25MM - $80MM of annual revenue.

  • Must have a strong management team.
  • Management must be willing to commit 3-5yrs on running the company going forward, and;
  • Company is willing to pay multiple of EBITDA.

Client #3: is a private equity firm looking to acquire a van carrier or van carriers in two specific categories.

  • Carriers that generate $25MM of annual revenue and run primarily in the southeast/southwest.
  • Carriers that generate $200MM and over of annual revenue running primarily to southeast/southwest. 

Client #4: is looking to acquire LTL carriers whose revenues exceed $150MM annually.

  • Company can be marginally profitable.
  • It has to have a long history in the business, and;
  • The client is willing to pay a multiple of EBITDA.

Client #5: is a trucking and logistics company that is currently in the dedicated contract arena.

  • They are looking to acquire companies that have 3-5yr dedicated contracts that pay all miles.
  • They are willing to pay a multiple of EBITDA.
  • They are not interested in automotive contracts within the auto industry, and;
  • They are looking for companies that historically are looking for an exit strategy and want to stay on for some time period.

Client #6: is a privately held company well recognized in the industry and is looking to acquire a $100MM - $500MM refrigerated carrier. Currently, the client does not haul this type of freight.

  • The company must have a very strong management team.
  • The management team must be willing to stay and move the company forward, and;
  • The client is willing to pay a multiple of EBITDA.

Client #7: is a small Midwestern, well capitalized family operation, looking for bulk pneumatic (dry) carriers in the IL, IN, MI, WI area.

  • Is looking to acquire companies from $5MM - $30MM of annual revenue.
  • Is also looking to acquire freight brokers that deal in the bulk commodity business, and;
  • The company is willing to pay a multiple of EBITDA.

Client #8: is a well-established manufacturing company looking to acquire companies to utilize the strengths of their business and develop new products in the category of powered equipment and tools, which will be sold in commercial and industrial markets,  including new truck mounted applications. The client is looking for companies that offer;

  • Multiple and virtual unrestricted channels of distribution.
  • They are probably involved in manufacturing chipper units, log splitters, stump grinders, truck or trailer mounted vacuum systems, refrigeration units for trucks and trailer, under hood air compressors, turf products, air spades and air vacuums, portable winches used by arborists.
  • Minimum revenue size is $20MM.
  • Maximum revenue size cannot exceed $300MM of annual revenue.
  • Company is very well known in the industry.
  • They are willing to pay a multiple of EBITDA 

Client #9: is a well-known family owned flatbed company that is in the top 5% in the industry.

  • Company is looking to acquire flatbed companies that utilize independent contractors.
  • Will look at companies that have a minimum of 30 trucks.
  • Will look at companies that operate 300 trucks.
  • Client is willing to move quickly.
  • They are willing to pay a multiple of EBITDA, and;
  • They are specifically interested in specific geographic areas such as; TX, OK, GA, TN, AR, IL and IN.

 

Ahern’s unique approach to aiding companies seeking to acquire specific assets in transportation is entrenched in their ability to provide the most accurate company valuations in the industry while working with the broadest network of professionals and contacts in the country.  “We’ve seen a real spike in transportation acquisitions in 2011 and expect that trend to continue for quite some time.  Our analysts are constantly talking to companies who may be a match for our outstanding acquisition needs.”

 

If your company is a potential match to any of the above prerequisites, you are urged to contact Andy Ahern direct at 602-242-1030.

 

 

About Ahern & Associates, Ltd.:

Ahern and Associates is North America’s leading trucking and transportation management consulting firm.  The skilled consultants at Ahern and Associates specialize in mergers and acquisitions of trucking and logistics companies as well as the restructuring and evaluation of existing carriers that seek to increase operating efficiency and improve profitability.  Since 1987, Ahern and Associates has aided hundreds of buyers in the acquisition of trucking and logistics companies throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as assisting many transportation and logistics companies in reducing their overall operating costs and increasing their profitability.  For more information, please call 602-242-1030 or visit http://www.Ahern-Ltd.com

 

 

Acquisition Client #26

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
  • Family owned and operated, large intermodal carrier seeking captive agents to grow with their current established business. Client will provide working capital, insurance, billing, collections, client approval, etc. Agent split 65%/70% - parent 30%/35% - commissions paid weekly. Client is primarily interested in intermodal companies.

Acquisition Client #15

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
  • Private equity firm looking to acquire non asset based intermodal, van and 3PL’s. Must generate, at least, $1MM of EBITDA.

Acquisition Client #13

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Client 13: Well established intermodal carrier. Seeking to acquire independent contractor companies within the markets of Los Angeles, CA, St. Louis, MO, and Charlotte, NC. Ideal candidates will have 30+ trucks in operation with annual revenues of $5MM to $40MM; independent owner operators only.

Acquisition Client #12

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Client 12: Large transportation/logistics company based in the Southwest. Company would like to acquire a dedicated freight contract carrier with 3-5 year dedicated contracts in place. Client would also consider a large logistics company or freight brokerage. Annual revenue requirements for potential acquisition are between $50MM to $200MM. Buyer is prepared to offer 4 to 4.5X EBITDA for an asset based company or 4 to 6X EBITDA for a non-asset based company. Financing is in place, buyer would like to complete transaction by year’s end.

Acquisition Client #11

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Client 11: Established Midwest based carrier; outstanding family business in operation for over 30 years would like to expand throughout the Midwest. Company seeks bulk transport carriers hauling dry product only: flour, sugar, corn, wheat germ, etc… Dry product must be hauled in pneumatic tank carriers as to match their current business model. Annual revenue requirements are between $5MM to $20MM.

Acquistion Client #9

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 9: Looking to acquire freight brokers with $5MM - $50MM of annual revenue. Management must be willing to stay; buyer is a $200MM+ freight broker.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Acquisition Client #8

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 8: Would like to acquire a $100MM+ air freight forwarder with EBITDA of $5MM - $20MM. Buyer is a private equity firm.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Acquisition Client #7

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 7: Looking to acquire large freight brokers $100MM+ with strong EBITDA. Also looking for a non asset based dedicated carrier with revenues over $20MM+. Buyer is a $1 billion+ company.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Acquisition Client #6

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 6: Seeking to acquire a profitable refrigerated carrier with $50MM - $200MM of annual revenue. Management must be strong with key management willing to stay. Buyer is a large trucking company looking to expand into the refrigeration market.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Acquisition Client #5

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 5: Looking to acquire a specialized heavy haul trucking company in 11 Western states. Company must be profitable and considerate at least $20MM of revenue. Buyer is a private equity firm that owns a trucking company.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Acquisition Client #4

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 4: Would like to acquire dedicated contract carriers with 3 – 5 year contracts. Buyer is a large trucking company that is 100% dedicated carriers.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Acquisition Client #3

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 3: Buyer looking to acquire a small flatbed carrier $5MM - $10MM; owner must be willing to stay with the business.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Acquisition Client #2

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Client 2: Looking to acquire distressed companies. Buyer will pay an earn out based on growth and cost reductions. Buyer will bring capital to the deal.

If you are a potential fit for this need or know of a potential match, please contact Andy Ahern directly at 602-242-1030 or email ahern@ahern-ltd.com for more information.

Trucking Acquisition Firm, Ahern and Associates Expands to Offer Financial Feasibility Services to Clients

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Ahern and Associates, Ltd. to consult clients on personal wealth management and goal attainment before executing the sale of their trucking or logistics company.

Phoenix, AZ—The decision to sell a trucking or logistics company after years or nurturing and growth usually represents a pinnacle moment in one’s life. However, despite the fact that the owner of the business is about to come into a sizeable financial influx, many still have questions as to whether or not they will still be able to attain their goals in life–be that personal or financial.

Well known as the “go-to” firm to coordinate mergers and acquisitions of trucking and logistics companies across North America, Ahern and Associates will now offer financial feasibility services to principals who are on the cusp of executing the sale of their company but would also like a wealth management plan in place that assures their personal goals are met—whether Ahern is the orchestrator of the deal or not.

Often times, the seller of a business will have several concerns, including:

• Am I receiving enough money from the sale of my business to achieve my personal objectives?
• After the sale, how do I receive the highest rate of return on my influx of cash?
• Should I accept a 100% cash buyout or a partial stock option?
• How do I legally minimize my tax liability after the sale?

At the heart of Ahern’s new service is a Financial Feasibility Study which offers a non-biased, 3rd party perspective on the viability and consequences of selling a trucking or logistics company. The study thoroughly details event probabilities based upon the identification of goals in conjunction with proper financial planning prior to execution of the sale.
Andy Ahern, CEO of Ahern and Associates, explains, “We’ve counseled hundreds of business owners on the personal and emotional ramifications of the sale of their trucking companies in the past and now, we’ve taken our services a step further by preparing them for life after the sale; regardless if our firm is involved in the deal or not.”

About Ahern & Associates, Ltd.:
Ahern and Associates is North America’s leading trucking and transportation management consulting firm. The skilled consultants at Ahern and Associates specialize in mergers and acquisitions of trucking and logistics companies as well as the restructuring and evaluation of existing carriers that seek to increase operating efficiency and improve profitability. Since 1987, Ahern and Associates has aided hundreds of buyers in the acquisition of trucking and logistics companies throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as assisting many transportation and logistics companies in reducing their overall operating costs and increasing their profitability. For more information, please call 602-242-1030 or visit http://www.Ahern-Ltd.com

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Business contact:
A.W. Ahern
602-242-1030

Media contact:
Jason W. Jantzen
Phoenix Marketing Associates
http://www.PhoenixMarketingAssociates.com
602-282-0202