TransForce concludes acquisition of Transport America, Inc.

MONTREAL, July 3, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - TransForce Inc. (TSX: TFI) (OTCQX: TFIFF), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, today announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary of TransForce has completed the acquisition of the entire share capital of Transport America, Inc. ("Transport America"), an important provider of truckload ("TL") carriage and logistics services. Transport America was a portfolio company of Minneapolis-based Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison Incorporated.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, Transport America provides an integrated offering of dry-van TL transportation services across the United States. It offers a wide array of short and long haul freight carriage, expedited and dedicated shipping services, as well as international and intermodal services through various partners. Transport America's network includes 12 terminals located throughout the United States and utilizes more than 2,000 staff and independent contractors. Through its own fleet and independent contractors, Transport America operates approximately 1,500 tractors and about 4,400 trailers.

The purchase price represents a total enterprise value of approximately US$310 million, including the assumption of Transport America's debt of about US$150 million, which has been reimbursed at closing. TransForce has financed the transaction through its existing credit facility, which has been extended by one year to August 2017 and whose authorized amount has been increased to $1,045 million. This acquisition is expected to generate annual total revenues of approximately US$350 million.

"We are excited to conclude this important strategic acquisition which provides TransForce with a critical mass, extensive geographic footprint and longstanding relationships with blue chip customers. The well-respected Transport America brand will be maintained, acting as our growth platform in the highly-fragmented US truckload market. We welcome Scott Arves, president and CEO of Transport America, his management team and their dedicated staff to the TransForce family. Together, we will focus on setting best practices to maximize efficiencies and capture profitable growth opportunities, thus generating a solid return on investment to the benefit of our shareholders," said Alain Bédard, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransForce.

ABOUT TRANSFORCE
TransForce Inc. is a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry operating across Canada and the United States through its subsidiaries. TransForce creates value for shareholders by identifying strategic acquisitions and managing a growing network of wholly-owned, operating subsidiaries. Under the TransForce umbrella, companies benefit from corporate financial and operational resources to build their businesses and increase their efficiency. TransForce companies service the following segments:

• Package and Courier; 
• Less-Than-Truckload; 
• Truckload, which includes specialized truckload and dedicated services;
• Specialized Services, which includes waste management, logistics services and services to the energy sector.
  
  

TransForce Inc. is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TFI) and the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. (OTCQX: TFIFF). For more information, visit http://www.transforcecompany.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the future performance of TransForce. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer demand for TransForce's products and services, the impact of price pressures exerted by competitors, and general market trends or economic changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results.

      

SOURCE: TransForce Inc.

Investors: 
Alain Bédard
Chairman, President and CEO
TransForce Inc.
[phone]
[email protected]

Media:
Rick Leckner
MaisonBrison Communications
[phone]
[email protected]