April 23, 2013, WINNIPEG, MB – Bison Transport is pleased to announce the acquisition of Winnipeg based Searcy Trucking and its distribution division, Universal Reload. Searcy Trucking was established in 1969 and is a family owned trucking carrier that specializes in flat deck transportation services. Universal Reload manages 12 acres of outside storage, 24,000 square feet indoor storage, and specializes in open-deck freight handling logistics.
Combined, Searcy Trucking and Universal Reload operate 72 trucks, 90 trailers and they employ approximately 100 people. Searcy Trucking and Universal Reload will operate as a stand-alone company. Mr. Norm Blagden, Director of Business Development for Bison Transport, will be appointed as Vice President of Searcy Trucking, and Mr. Gerry Searcy will continue as the President and CEO.
The acquisition of Searcy Trucking is part of our continued investment in serving the transportation needs of the North American marketplace,” said Don Streuber, President & CEO of Bison Transport Inc. “Searcy Trucking brings a committed management team, support staff and driver base, along with significant expertise of flat deck services. Through Bison, they will have access to the depth and support of a much larger national carrier, including our systems, IT, and administrative services.”
Gerry Searcy, President of Searcy Trucking, said “Bison Transport has proven their ability to build a strong transportation business, staying true to their core values, and committed to their people. We look forward to being part of that culture, and gaining from the administration, systems, and marketing support, while at the same time running Searcy as a distinct separate business.”
For Bison Transport, the acquisition follows a series of recent expansions and new service launches, including the opening of a new terminal/maintenance facility in Langley BC, a 16 acre land purchase in Mississauga ON for a brand new Eastern Operations centre, a new North American LTL service, TOFC (Trailer On Flat Car) service, LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) Fleet initiative, and a host of other exciting innovations.
Bison Transport is one of the largest Carriers in Canada, offering award winning transportation solutions to the industry for 44 years. Recognized by the TCA (Truckload Carrier’s Association) as North America’s Safest Fleet, Bison is a high-service, dependable and value creating supply chain partner. Bison offers full truckload service, full service logistics, Intermodal, LTL, dedicated fleet operations, yard management and warehousing & distribution. Bison is an active member of Natural Resources Canada's FleetSmart Program, as well as a SmartWay Transport Partner, a national and voluntary partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on Bison Transport or Searcy Trucking, please visit www.bisontransport.com, www.searcytrucking.com, or contact:
Rob Penner
COO & Executive Vice-President
Bison Transport Inc.
P. 204.833.0110
rpenner@bisontransport.com
Gerry Searcy
President & CEO
Searcy Trucking
P. 204.475.8411
gerry.searcy@searcytrucking.com