PRESCOTT, Ont. – Kriska Transportation, a 375-truck carrier based in this eastern Ontario border town, has just announced that it’s buying JMS Transportation, a 30-truck fleet and  logistics provider operating out of Point Edward, which is where the Blue Water Bridge crosses from Port Huron to Canada.

Kriska’s President and CEO Mark Seymour said this week that the deal is expected to close January 31.

For about 40 years, JMS, owned by Kevin Langford, has been providing domestic and cross-border truckload services to a host of customers in both Canada and the US.

Specializing in hauling petrochemicals and rubber, the FAST-approved company also boasts a strategically-placed warehousing division near the border.

With the move, Langford becomes Regional Director of Kriska.

“Much of the news in the last couple of years has been grim,” Langford said. “Companies downsizing, closing and jobs lost. This is a good news story for JMS, our customers and our employees.

The acquisition will give JMS the resources of a larger carrier, allowing it to be more effective and efficient, Langord added.

"We’re now well positioned to grow and bring jobs back to the region.

Seymour said the deals part of Kriska’s acquisition strategy of "adding quality people and customers to theorganization.

"Our track record in doing so speaks to itself. JMS is a quality organization with strength in culture, people and customers. This is going to be a great fit."

Kriska also has terminal operations in Mississauga, Montreal, Ottawa, and Ingleside, Ontario.