HARTLAND, N. B. – The Day & Ross Transportation Group, a wholly-owned division of McCain Foods Limited, has announced it will be acquiring Wesbell Logistics Services, a division of The Wesbell Group of Companies Inc. The transaction is subject to the completion of due diligence, customary clearances required from the Competition Bureau and Transport Canada and the signing of definitive agreements.

Terms were not disclosed.

“Day & Ross is committed to the expansion and enhancement of our services throughout North America,” said John Doucet, president and CEO. “In Wesbell Logistics, we have found an attractive strategic asset with a likeminded partner who shares our values and our commitment to the highest-quality service. They have a stellar reputation and management team, long-term customer relationships and a relentless commitment to on-time execution.”

In a previous interview with Transportation Media, Doucet had stated he wanted his company to expand to $1 billion in sales by the end of 2008.

“That’s the good thing about being a national carrier. If things are slow in one part of the country you can shift your focus to other geographical areas that are growing,” he said.

Wesbell Logistics is being acquired as a going concern and its operations will be merged with the Day & Ross Dedicated Transportation business under the leadership of Paul C. Mazze, currently the vice-president and general manager of Wesbell Logistics.

Mazze will work alongside Wayne Morin at Day & Ross to integrate the two operations.

“The combination of Wesbell Logistics’ Eastern Canada multiclient distribution network with Day & Ross’ cross-Canada network positions us well for continued growth as a low-cost transportation supplier,” Doucet said.

Wesbell Logistics offers dedicated contract carriage and valueadded parts distribution, the fastest growing segment in the trucking industry. Wesbell Logistics also offers complementary services such as warehousing and route management.

Established over 50 years ago, the Day & Ross Transportation Group – operating as Fastrax, Sameday, Target Canada (International), Day & Ross (General Freight), Day & Ross (Dedicated Contract Logistics) and Sable Warehousing – has grown to become one of the largest national transportation companies in Canada.