GUELPH, Ont. — MacKinnon Transport has acquired the Walker Group, including LE Walker Transport and Mid America Freight Systems, the companies announced today.

Together, the companies will operate more than 1,300 pieces of equipment out of MacKinnon’s head office in Guelph.

“This deal, which is effective immediately, represents a great opportunity for both companies,” said Evan MacKinnon, president and CEO of MacKinnon Transport. “Our combined organization will be well-positioned from an equipment and personnel standpoint. At a time when many trucking companies are economically challenged we are fiscally robust and poised to respond quickly as the economy rebounds.”

“We are merging the best business practices of the Walker Group and MacKinnon Transport,” added Walker Group president Julie Tanguay. “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.”

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 Tanguay.

“Julie and I share common business values and ethics,” said MacKinnon, “and our leadership talents complement each other extremely well. We’re very excited about what our joint effort will be able to produce”.

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.