Andy Ahern, CEO of Ahern and Associates, Ltd., said he likes the direction the trucking industry is moving in. Ahern’s firm specializes in working with existing trucking and logistics companies who wish to expand operations.
Ahern said he is seeing numerous shifts within the transportation industry in 2011, along with aiding dozens of transportation companies in closing acquisition deals.
“Many companies through the first half of the year have engaged the services of our firm to structure an exit strategy or rebuild their business model,” explained Ahern. “We recently represented Arkansas Transit Homes who needed a buyer for their company in their sale to Bennett International Group.”
Earlier this year, Ahern represented publicly traded Universal Truckload Services (UTSI) in the acquisition of Hart Transportation. Recently, Ahern’s group also assisted Echo Global Logistics in acquiring Advantage Transport in addition to Atlantic Street Capital Partners in the acquisition of Patterson Motor Freight.
Ahern is also seeing a lot of interest from private equity firms who are now viewing transportation as a solid investment.
“We’re seeing a lot of active buyers in 2011 who are either acquiring assets as part of their larger growth strategy or looking to transportation as an industry which will provide positive returns.”
Recognizing the upturn within the industry, Ahern and his colleagues at Benesch Law will hold a second Transportation Conference in Chicago Sept. 22 and 23. Details will be announced later.
