Logistics Industry News: M&A, Hires, and Deals
Fuel Transport and Kenvue launched eLoop, a Class 8 electric truck pilot operating across select urban routes in the Greater Toronto Area. The initiative is designed to test EV performance under real delivery conditions, including cold weather, congestion, and high-frequency multi-stop routes.
M&A
• ANDY Corporation acquired the majority of assets of Transport Express Frontières. The carrier’s driver team will join ANDY and continue to service existing customers. The deal adds capacity in dedicated transportation and extends ANDY’s existing footprint across transportation, warehousing, and integrated supply chain solutions in North America.
• The Cargo Control Company (C3) added Wistra and Ancra Systems to its group. The companies join existing members Roland International and LoadLok. The group covers cargo securement and automated loading and unloading across vans, reefer trailers, box trailers, and curtain-sided trailers, as well as warehouse and distribution center systems.
• Air cargo software and consulting firm Rotate acquired Data Build Company (DBC), a Netherlands-based data engineering consultancy, to launch Rotate Data Services. The combined practice targets siloed systems, poor data quality, and inconsistent records that make it hard to automate processes or support AI applications. DBC’s engineers join Rotate’s strategy consultants to offer end-to-end support.
• PLS Logistics Services acquired The AGL Group, an international freight forwarder with more than 40 years of experience. The deal adds international forwarding, ocean shipping, drayage, and customs brokerage to PLS’s existing truckload, LTL, TMS, and managed services portfolio. AGL will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Milestones
↑ Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is marking 20 years of operations in Japan, where it has built a presence serving automotive, fashion, healthcare, and technology customers. The company has offices in Tokyo and Osaka, with services covering airfreight, seafreight, customs brokerage, and selected specialized solutions. Under its Forward2030 strategy, Hellmann has designated Asia-Pacific as a key growth region, with Japan positioned as a stable base for further development.
↑ Silk Way West Airlines is marking 10 years of operations to Japan. Since its inaugural Baku–Komatsu flight in 2016, the airline has expanded its Japan network to include Kansai and Narita, operating roughly 1,300 flights and transporting more than 145,000 tons of cargo over the decade. Japan’s air cargo market grew an estimated 12% in 2025.
↑ The original Combilift C-Series multi-directional forklift was manufactured in 1998. It is still in daily operation at J.G. Kelly Supplies in Ireland, some 28 years after delivery. The machine, which moves long PVC stillages up to six meters through a four-meter doorway, has required only routine maintenance over its lifespan, with no major off-site repairs.
UP THE CHAIN
← Jacksonville-based logistics company AVI has promoted Adam Baltzell to Head of Brokerage Services, where he will oversee carrier partnerships, transportation capacity, and customer freight solutions across regional and national markets. Baltzell has spent his career in freight brokerage, transportation management, and supply chain operations. AVI has provided transportation, warehousing, brokerage, distribution, and supply chain support since 1948.
• Asset-based 3PL Keller Logistics Group has added three senior commercial leaders across its operating affiliates: Mike Whitlock as director of business development at Keller Warehousing & Co-Packing, Steve Staley in the same role at Keller Industrial Properties, and Katie Furnish as regional dedicated sales manager at Keller Trucking. The additions follow the 2025 hire of Lars Cleland as president of Keller Freight Solutions, giving the 48-year-old company more than 75 years of combined senior commercial experience across the four appointments.
→ MSIG USA has named Karla Scott Head of Cargo and Logistics, a new role within its Marine platform. Scott brings 25 years of experience in marine cargo, inland marine, and hull underwriting. She most recently led logistics product strategy and marine operations for The Hartford’s Western region. She will oversee underwriting strategy, portfolio management, and broker relationships for the logistics business.
SEALED DEALS
← Lola Valentina, a Chicago-area linen rental company, adopted the reusable packaging system developed by FedEx and Returnity. The company is switching from single-use corrugated boxes to a leased, closed-loop format that runs within existing FedEx workflows. The model let the company avoid upfront capital investment. Within the first six weeks, Lola Valentina had already expanded its order to meet growing demand.
↑ Chelsea Football Club signed a multi-year agreement with enterprise software company IFS to deploy its AI-driven finance and procurement platform across club operations, with plans to expand into asset management and facility operations over time. The deal extends a broader partnership the two announced in February 2026 and gives Chelsea real-time visibility into spending, automated supplier onboarding, and contract management.
• Pure Fishing, the parent company behind several fishing tackle brands, selected RELEX Solutions to unify demand and distribution planning across its global manufacturing and distribution network. The company had relied on a mix of legacy systems and spreadsheets to manage thousands of retail SKUs with long lead times and seasonal demand swings. RELEX will incorporate point-of-sale data from retail partners and apply AI-driven forecasting to reduce manual planning effort.
→ KILLSTAR, an alternative fashion brand with $30 million in direct-to-consumer sales, moved its U.S. and EU logistics to Bleckmann. The company is consolidating operations at Bleckmann’s Rieme facility in Belgium. KILLSTAR chose the site for its customs warehouse and proximity to ports, motorways, and Zaventem Airport. KILLSTAR expects to ship about 946,000 units annually from the location, with Bleckmann handling fulfillment, warehousing, transport, and returns for both B2B and B2C channels.
In Memoriam
← John D. Groendyke, chairman of the board of Groendyke Transport and son of the company’s founder, died June 13. He was 81. John took over as CEO and chairman after his father’s death in the mid-1980s, building the tank truck carrier to $240 million in annual revenue before stepping down in 2019. Beyond the company, he served six terms as District 8 commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the longest tenure in the nation’s history. He also received a lifetime achievement award from the National Tank Truck Carriers in 2024. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, four children, 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
RECOGNITION
↑ ORBIS Corporation was named Toyota North America’s 2026 Returnable Packaging Fabricator of the Year. ORBIS claimed the title for the fourth time in six years because of its collaboration and continuous improvement across multiple vehicle launches, as well as contributions to Toyota’s new electric battery plant in North Carolina.
• Jim Berlin, founder and chairman of Logistics Plus, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) at the organization’s annual Honors gala in October. The award recognizes a lifetime commitment to global peace and security, with Berlin’s support for Ukraine specifically noted. CEPA is a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on transatlantic security and policy research.
• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling was selected as the Frost & Sullivan 2026 North American Material Handling Company of the Year. The award is due to the company’s automation, electrification, and connected technology work. Highlighted products included the Hyster Atlas and Yale Relay automated lift trucks and the Hyster Reaction and Yale Reliant pedestrian awareness cameras.
↑ Uline has awarded Exceptional Performance recognition to three Dayton Freight Lines service centers based on customer service, technological innovation, partnership, and dedication. Dayton Freight operates 73 service centers and is ranked the 13th largest LTL carrier in the United States.
• COSCO SHIPPING North America was named a 2026 Recognized Ocean Carrier by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition. It is the first time the company has received the distinction. The AgTC recognition is based on direct feedback from U.S. agricultural exporters and importers, covering equipment availability, vessel space, customer service, and operational reliability.