ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

A sudden burst of acquisition activity surfaced in a three-day span last week involving four of the nation’s largest trucking fleets, including two offers for the less-than-truckload assets of Vitran Corp. and a $95 million bid by Knight Transportation Inc. for USA Truck Inc.

Duff Brothers Capital said it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Frozen Food Express for $2.10 per share, in a deal valued at about $38.2 million.

In preparation for an acquisition or divestiture, carriers must be conscious of the challenges associated with these transactions. Too often, owners and management come to the deal table wishing they had been better prepared.

Red Dot, which makes heating and air-conditioning systems for trucks and other heavy vehicles, said it will purchase JBAR A/C, which makes that equipment for construction and material-handling customers.

Houston oilfield service and tank truck operator Select Energy Services has purchased Carlsbad, N.M., counterpart Riverside Transportation.

Truckload hauler Gordon Trucking said it has acquired Buske Lines, Edwardsville, Ill.

Truckload carrier CRST International has significantly expanded its menu of services with the acquisition of Specialized Transportation Inc., making for the second merger this year of two of the nation’s 100 largest for-hire trucking companies.

Chainalytics LLC, a supply chain and consulting firm based in Atlanta, said July 14 it had acquired crosstown counterpart Chainnovations LLC for an undisclosed sum.