EVO Transportation & Energy Services (EVO), a main truckload carrier and ground transportation provider to the United States Postal Service (USPS), announced its acquisition of West Side Transport in a news release Wednesday.
West Side Transport will continue to operate as its own autonomous division under President Ron Joseph, recently promoted from Chief Operating Officer. Founder Don Vogt will serve as a Board observer, providing strategic guidance.
Based out of Cedar Rapids, West Side operates a fleet of 550 trucks and 2,300 trailers with 700 employees, and moves cargo for multiple Fortune 500 companies. The company also operates a logistics and warehousing business across the Midwest with terminals in Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.
“We are excited about partnering with EVO and believe that our complementary strengths will help both companies grow and prosper,” Mr. Joseph said in the release.
While EVO and West Side will continue to operate separately, the release states they will leverage their combined resources to enhance service offerings and expand capabilities. The transaction will allow EVO to transition from a predominantly USPS-focused carrier to a diversified transportation provider, aligning with USPS supplier preferences. EVO is headquartered in Phoenix.
“In EVO Transportation, West Side Transport has found a partner that helps expand its geographic footprint, as well as bringing efficiencies of scale helpful in a very competitive industry,” Mr. Vogt said in the release.
“From the moment we first visited Cedar Rapids, EVO was excited about West Side Transport. Don Vogt dedicated his life to building a best-in-class operation, and we were drawn to the quality of the staff, drivers, equipment, and facilities,” said EVO CEO Michael Bayles, in the release. “We are very excited about West Side joining the EVO family and look forward to honoring Don’s legacy.”
The transaction was financed through debt and equity provided by WhiteHawk Capital Partners and EVO’s largest shareholder, Antara Capital, the release states.
FINNEA Group served as a financial advisor through the acquisition, and Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC acted as legal advisor to Vogt and West Side Transport. Paul Hastings LLP provided legal advice to EVO.
“West Side is an impressive business that has differentiated itself by providing high-touch, mission-critical services to its customer base,” said Brad Huge, managing director at WhiteHawk, in the release. “WhiteHawk was pleased to provide a creative and flexible financing solution to support EVO’s acquisition of West Side.”
