• Mergers / Acquisitions
• Operational reviews / audits
• Leveraged buy-outs / management-led acquisitions
• New capitol formations
• PEO’s (Employee Leasing)
• Bankruptcy / reorganization
• 50% to 60% of the firm’s business involves mergers and acquisitions
• The other 40% to 50% is involved in the restructuring of motor carriers to:

- Increase efficiency
- Reduce operating cost; and
- Improve bottom line profitability

We have accumulated a significant track record of handling complex assignments for entrepreneurial owner / managers in the companies they created. Our success has resulted from working with each client to structure their organization to benefit from their capabilities, while supporting them in those areas of the day-today business where they lack technical expertise or real personal interest.

The staff of Ahern & Associates has extensive experience in the management of transportation companies. We have the ability to face realities in the market place, tough regulatory environments, soaring direct and indirect labor and benefit costs, and lagging receivable collections. Our key people are pragmatic and “down to earth”. They have the “scars” of their years as front line managers and owners.

Since all of our expertise has been drawn from the transportation industry, we have developed a special “niche” for ourselves that sets us apart from other competitors and establishes us as an industry leader.

Our exposure to the transportation industry, and to the financial and accounting professionals, who supported them, have made us continually aware of the existence of various opportunities for the acquisitions and mergers. Bringing together the operating assets of two or more companies under a single, consolidated administrative management group can substantially improve a return on investment for all parties.

We work exclusively with transportation Buyers who have the resources and the motivation to take the merger path to growing their businesses. Our firm represents or has represented companies such as:

• A. Passmore & Sons, Inc.	• Market Transport, Ltd
• Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging Co., Inc.	• Maverick Transportation, Inc.
• Alabama Motor Express, Inc.	• McCain Foods, Ltd
• Ardwin Freight, Inc.	• Mesilla Valley Transportation
• American Transport, Inc.	• Nationwide Express, Inc.
• American Trans-Freight, Inc.	• Northern Refrigerated Services, Inc.
• Arnold Industries, Inc.	• Overnight Express, Inc.
• Builders Transport, Inc.	• P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc.
• Boyd Brothers Transportation, Inc.	• Paschall Truck Lines, Inc.
• Burlington Motor Carriers, Inc.	• PGT Trucking, Inc.
• Celadon Group, Inc.	• Progressive Logistics, Inc.
• ComTrak, Inc.	• Rocor International, Inc.
• CRST International, Inc.	• RT Systems, Inc.
• Dallas/Mavis Specialized Carriers	• Rush Trucking Corporation
• Daymark, Inc.	• Sargent Trucking Company
• Dependable Highway Express, Inc.	• Segmentz, Inc.
• Digby Truck Line, Inc. of Tennessee	• Smithway Motor Xpress, Inc.
• Farmland Industries, Inc.	• Sodrel Truck Lines, Inc.
• Fenway partners, inc.	• Stan Koch & Sons
• Forward Air, Inc.	• Swift Transportation Co.
• Greatwide Logistics Services	• 3-1 Truck Line, Inc.
• Grojean Transportation, Inc.	• Tandem Transport Corporation
• Haney Truck Lines, Inc.	• Thayer Capital Partners
• HNY Acquisitions Company	• The Bama Companies, Inc.
• Hogan Transport, Inc.	• TMC Transportation, Inc.
• Intermodal Cartage Company	• Total Logistic Control, Inc.
• Intrenet, Inc.	• Transport Industries, L.P.
• J.P. Donmoyer, Inc.	• Universal AM-CAN, Ltd
• K & R Express Systems, Inc.	• USA Truck, Inc.
• K2 Logistics, Inc.	• US1 Industries, Inc.
• Lanter Company	• US Freightways, Inc.
• Lawrence Leasing Co., Inc.	• US Xpress, Inc.
• M.S. Carriers, Inc.	• Vitran Corporation, Inc.

In reference to acquisitions, we do not act as a business broker. We represent the Buyer and we complete executive searches on behalf of the client in reference to possible acquisition candidates.

We do a thorough analysis of:

• Financial statements for the last three (3) years
• Operational and statistical data
• Provide an evaluation of the net worth and the suggested purchase price of the selling company.

In all instances, the Buyer does all contract negotiations and due diligence.

For a first time Buyer , Ahern & Associates can:

• Assist the client in defining his / her acquisition criteria
• Assist in assembling an acquisition team
• Provide meaningful input in how to develop an integration plan once the acquisition has taken place.

We initially charge a small retainer fee, which is a one-time only cost of doing business with our firm. Should you acquire a carrier from our firm, the retainer fee is applied towards the balance of our fee. On any subsequent acquisitions we will complete an additional search, but there will be no additional retainer fee required. We do not work through intermediaries and we do not work with business brokers.

We represent our clients in the "painstaking" process of merging people, facilities, procedures and systems. We have determined that the most critical element of an acquisition is compatibility in style and substance of people who must have a working relationship in the combined entity … people able to agree on strategy, tactics and having the ability to go forward in the implementation of a coordinated business plan. The blending of personal chemistry is a complex process. If authority and responsibility are redistributed in a pattern that fails to motivate individuals, situations that initially appear to have an enormous potential, are often doomed to failure. 

Although Ahern & Associates does not represent transportation Sellers, we can assist Sellers in providing them with meaningful input / analysis work in reference the potential selling price of their company and provide them with valuable information on how to sell their company.