MACKINNON TRANSPORT has acquired the WALKER GROUP, including LE WALKER TRANSPORT and MID AMERICA FREIGHT SYSTEMS. Together, the companies will operate more than 1,300 pieces of equipment out of MacKinnon’s head office in Guelph, Ont. “Our combined organization will be well-positioned from an equipment and personnel standpoint,” said Evan MacKinnon, president and CEO of MacKinnon Transport. “At a time when many trucking companies are economically challenged, we are fiscally robust and poised to respond quickly as the economy rebounds.” Company officials said they will streamline service delivery and exercise opportunities to increase business growth. The combined entity will be jointly owned by MacKinnon and Walker Group president Julie Tanguay. MacKinnon will serve as president and CEO of the organization, which will operate under the MacKinnon Transport banner. Tanguay will be executive vice-president of sales and will spearhead sales efforts for the entire fleet. “While both companies are recognized leaders in the dry van and flatbed markets, our customer base is quite diversified with little duplication. We are strategically positioned to respond rapidly to changing markets and customer requirements,” added Tanguay.

TRANSFORCE has picked up the retail solutions division of ATS ANDLAUER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, which generates revenues of about $120 million per year using 165 owner/operators. ATS’s healthcare division is not part of the deal. “This transaction demonstrates TransForce’s strategy of growth through selectively acquiring leading companies with strong leadership,” said Alain Bedard, chairman, president and CEO of TransForce. “ATS Retail Solutions is an excellent strategic fit with our existing Canpar and ICS Courier businesses. Consistent with our approach to acquisitions, it will operate as an autonomous business and ATS president and CEO Michael Andlauer will continue to play a leadership role as chair of a group specifically focused on courier solutions. We look forward to working with Michael and his team.” The transaction is conditional upon the signing of a definitive agreement and other closing conditions, which are expected to be completed by Oct. 1. In other Transforce news, chief financial officer Salvatore Vitale has stepped down from his position and left the company. He has been replaced by Bedard who will serve as interim CFO in addition to his current positions.

CAVALIER TRANSPORTATION has partnered with Tennessee-based MILAN EXPRESS to provide its customers with improved access to a number of states in the southern and mid-western US. Cavalier announced the partnership provides a “premium transborder service” between key US states and the Ontario and Quebec markets. The companies will focus on LTL shipments and also offer truckload, expedited, warehousing and logistics services. Included in the offerings will be an overnight LTL service between Chicago and the Greater Toronto Area, according to the companies. Cavalier says the partnership will also allow it to better serve customers wishing to ship to destinations in Milan’s extensive service network in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

MULLEN GROUP saw its revenue drop 18.6% in the second quarter compared to the same three-month period last year, according to its latest filings. The revenue decline stemmed from lower revenues in both the trucking/logistics segment as well as the oilfield services segment, Mullen reported. On the trucking side, the company said the decrease in revenue is attributable to the continuing recession and its impact on freight demand, especially in western Canada.Net income for the second quarter was down 10.6% to $17.8 million. For the six-month period ended June 30, Mullen says it net income was down 30% to $48.8 million compared to the same period of last year.

CLARKE INC.’s freight transportation segment suffered a 22% decline in revenue in the second quarter of 2009, the company reported in its latest financial filings. Freight transportation revenue totalled $43.5 million in the second quarter, down from $56.1 million over the same period in ’08. For the six-month period ended June 30, Clarke’s freight transportation segment saw revenue drop 19% compared to the same period in 2008. As a whole, Clarke reported net income of $16.8 million in the second quarter and $6.7 million for the six-month period ended June 30. In 2008, Clarke reported Q2 net income of $12.4 million and $10.3 million for the six-month period.

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