Arrow Electronics Inc.

BG Strategic Advisors Announces Arrow Electronics Inc. to acquire PCG Parent Corp. (d/b/a Converge)


Palm Beach, FL – April 6, 2010 – BG Strategic Advisors is pleased to announce that Arrow Electronics Inc., a global distributor of electronic components and enterprise computing products, services and solutions, has agreed to acquire PCG Parent Corp. (d/b/a Converge), a leading provider of reverse logistics services for electronics manufacturers and electronic component suppliers.  BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to PCG Parent Corp. in this transaction.

PCG Parent Corp., with 350 employees, is headquartered in Peabody, Massachusetts, with offices in Columbus, Ohio, Singapore and the Netherlands and support centers throughout Europe, the United States and Asia.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in May, 2010.

About PCG Parent Corp. (d/b/a Converge)

Converge provides a leading set of reverse logistics solutions and end-of-life asset disposal solutions to a broad set of electronic manufacturers and electronic component suppliers.  The company distinguishes itself by providing sophisticated solutions globally with a high degree of visibility and secure chain of custody.  For more information, visit www.converge.com.

About Arrow Electronics Inc.

Arrow Electronics is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions.  Headquartered in Melville, NY, Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for over 900 suppliers and 125,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 310 locations in 51 countries and territories.

About BG Strategic Advisors

BG Strategic Advisors (“BGSA”) acted as the exclusive financial advisor to PCG Parent Corp. on this transaction.  BGSA is the leading M&A advisory firm focused on the logistics and supply chain industry.  The firm specializes in providing CEOs in the logistics and supply chain industry with the tools to maximize their company’s value.  BGSA has completed several well-known supply chain deals, including the sales of Dixie Warehouse Services and Wilpak Inc. to Jacobson Companies, the PWC Logistics acquisition of GeoLogistics, the Churchill sale to BirdDog, the Raytrans sale to Echo Global, the Unicity sale to PBB, the Air-Road sale to Reliant Equity, and many others.  For more information, or to explore a sale, merger, acquisition, capital raise, or other strategic initiative for your company, please contact Managing Director Benjamin Gordon (561) 932-1601, email ben@bgsa.com, or visit www.bgsa.com.

BGSA provides investment banking services through BG Strategic Advisors LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and the SIPC.

BirdDog Logistics

BG Strategic Advisors Announces the Acquisition of Churchill Transport Group by BirdDog Logistics


Palm Beach, FL – November 5, 2009 – BG Strategic Advisors (“BGSA”) is pleased to announce that Churchill Transport Group, Inc. (“Churchill”), a privately-owned third-party logistics (3PL) provider based in Charlotte, NC, has been acquired by BirdDog Logistics, LLC (“BirdDog”). BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Churchill Transport Group in this transaction.

Boasting a seasoned team of professionals with decades of industry expertise and a strong customer base, Churchill Transport Group and its affiliate, CTG Financial, LLC represent an important strategic addition to BirdDog’s freight management business. “Churchill’s service offerings, customer service team, and strong customer base complement BirdDog’s business and will extend our ability to deliver best-in-class services to our customers,” said Richard Piontek, president, BirdDog Logistics. “The addition of Churchill further strengthens our position in the transportation market and advances BirdDog’s objective of helping our customers effectively purchase and manage freight across all modes of transportation. In addition, Churchill customers will now have access to BirdDog’s Transportation Spend Management services, including contract negotiation, freight bill audit and payment, and information management.”

“Combining teams and uniting our capabilities is a great growth opportunity for Churchill and will greatly benefit our customers and employees,” said Derek Skea, president, Churchill Transport Group. “We are excited to join the BirdDog team and look forward to continued growth and success.”

About BirdDog Logistics

BirdDog Logistics Services, LLC, provides freight management and brokerage services to shippers in need of reliable transportation solutions and to motor carriers with available capacity. Acting as an intermediary between the two, the company provides these services to shippers looking for carriers that will reliably meet their commitments at competitive transit rates. BirdDog Logistics Services, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BirdDog Solutions, Inc., and is headquartered in Andover, MA.

About Churchill Transport Group

Churchill Transport Group is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider available 24 hours a day to fulfill customers’ freight transportation and logistics needs. The company provides access to multiple transportation providers worldwide including Truckload, Less-than-Truckload, Rail, Ocean, Air, and Courier carriers. Based in Charlotte, NC, the company has been serving the market since 2001. Also based in Charlotte, NC, Churchill’s subsidiary, CTG Financial, LLC, is a leading provider of receivables factoring for carriers, offering services for managing billing, receivables, collections, and funding.

Amerijet International, Inc.

Amerijet Announces Acquisition of Majority Interest in Nations Express, a BGSA Client


Palm Beach, FL – July 3, 2009 – Amerijet International, Inc. (“Amerijet”) today announced its acquisition of a majority interest in Nations Express, a BG Strategic Advisors (“BGSA”) client and nationwide express trucking company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nations Express operates a fleet of approximately 200 trucks in a unique express charter truck service. BGSA served as an advisor to Nations Express.

John R. Nash, CFO of Amerijet stated, “Nations Express represents a company doing all the right things, at the right time, and a company we believe is a unique fit with Amerijet and our global logistics services. We believe our two companies service customers who desire specialized services and that our products, whether combined or sold separately, will be valuable to each of our customers.”

William R. Frazier, Nations Express President and CEO, further added, “The investment by Amerijet will provide the additional capital necessary for the company to take advantage of a number of exciting growth opportunities in the ground freight transportation industry as well as new freight service opportunities offered by Amerijet. We look forward to working with the professional management team associated with Amerijet.”

About Nations Express
Nations Express was founded in 1998 in Charlotte, North Carolina to handle time critical freight with a focus on personal customer service. Today, Nations Express is a global transportation company with 20 locations across the United States and agent partners around the world. The company’s customer service focus, technology, and broad range of transportation services allow it to find optimal solutions for time critical shipments. For more information on Nations Express, visit www.nationsexpress.com.

Raytrans Distribution Services, Inc.

BGSA Announces the Acquisition of Raytrans Distribution Services, Inc. by Echo Global Logistics, Inc.


Palm Beach, FL – June 10, 2009 –BG Strategic Advisors (“BGSA”) is pleased to announce that Raytrans Distribution Services, Inc. (“Raytrans”), a transportation brokerage firm based in Matteson, Illinois, has been acquired by Echo Global Logistics, Inc. (“Echo”), a technology-driven transportation management firm. BGSA acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Raytrans Distribution Services in this transaction.

James Ray, Jr. founded Raytrans Distribution Services in 2000. Raytrans’ network of skilled transportation professionals and carriers specializes in flatbed, over-sized, auto-haul and other specific services as well as traditional dry van brokerage. Effective immediately, Raytrans Distribution Services will begin doing business as Echo Global Logistics, Inc.

“We are excited to join the Echo team,” said James Ray, Jr., who will continue as General Manager of the Raytrans Division of Echo Global Logistics. “Raytrans’ specialization and carrier base in combination with Echo’s technology-enabled procurement capabilities and additional modes of transportation will yield significant customer benefits.”

“We are enthused about the value that the partnership between Echo and Raytrans will deliver to our clients,” said Doug Waggoner, Chief Executive Officer of Echo Global Logistics. “Echo will benefit from Raytrans’ focus and additional scale, while the Raytrans operation will gain from Echo’s technology and mode diversification.”

About Raytrans Distribution Services
Raytrans Distribution Services provides transportation brokerage services to shippers in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The company distinguishes itself by providing sophisticated shipping solutions in multiple specialized markets such as the transport of over-dimensional loads, non-domestic automobiles, North American international shipments, and other flatbed truckload services. For more information, visit www.raytrans.com.

About Echo Global Logistics

Privately-held Chicago-based Echo is a technology-driven transportation management outsourcing firm which helps clients reduce their transportation spend. Echo’s enterprise and transactional clients range from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Echo’s transportation management solutions deliver cost savings through proprietary access to unparalleled transportation market data, custom-built world-class technology, a “best cost” global labor platform, an extensive nationwide network of carriers, and buying leverage resulting from the aggregated spend on behalf of Echo’s clients. For more information on Echo, visit: www.echo.com.

Dixie Warehouse Services and Jacobson Companies Merger

BG Strategic Advisors Announces the Merger of Dixie Warehouse Services with Jacobson Companies


Palm Beach, FL – October 3, 2008 –BG Strategic Advisors is pleased to announce that Dixie Warehouse Services, LLC, a warehouse and transportation focused outsourced 3PL provider based in Louisville, Kentucky, has merged with Jacobson Companies of Des Moines, Iowa, a leader in providing third-party logistics services. BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Dixie Warehouse Services in this transaction.

Don Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Dixie Warehouse Services, stated, “From the moment I met Craig and his executive staff, I have been excited about the opportunities this merger will provide both companies. To see how similar Jacobson and Dixie are in their culture, their desire to take care of their employees, and their focus on providing the best customer service possible makes for a seamless transition.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to leverage the synergies between the two companies and expand our family of services to other key regions in the South and Southeast, which are key to our future growth and success,” stated Craig Petermeier, Jacobson’s CEO.

“This merger will introduce a nationwide service offering and new freight management services to our existing Dixie Warehouse customers. The result is we can bring more value-added solutions across their supply chain from end-to-end,” says Rick Finkbeiner, the combined companies’ President and Chief Business Development Officer.

With this merger, Jacobson becomes the fourth largest warehouse 3PL provider in the nation, offering services worldwide and utilizing approximately 140 distribution center facilities and an additional 40 trucking, staffing, and cross-docking facilities strategically located across the country.

About Dixie Warehouse Services

Dixie offers a 70-year tradition of service excellence as part of the Louisville, Kentucky marketplace, and has become the largest independent warehouse provider serving several Fortune 500 customers. Dixie operates over 1.2 million square feet of warehouse space in Louisville, which includes providing innovative rail-served distribution solutions. The company’s service has been recognized by its blue chip customers and has offered additional opportunities, including its expansion in Louisiana, where Dixie has operated an additional 2 million square feet of warehouse space for the past 10 years. For more information, visit http://www.dixiewarehouse.com.

About Jacobson Companies

A nationally ranked third-party logistics and ISO-9001:2000 quality certified warehousing provider, Jacobson is dedicated to providing innovative solutions to customers’ supply chain management challenges. The Jacobson organization includes the following family of integrated operating companies: Jacobson Warehouse Company, Jacobson Transportation Company, Jacobson Logistics Company, Jacobson Packaging Company, and Jacobson Staffing Company. The Jacobson Companies operate a 32 million-square-foot national network of warehouse space. Jacobson’s integrated transportation, warehousing and packaging, and staffing operations are designed to help customers reduce their supply chain management costs. For more information, visit http://www.jacobsonco.com.

Dynalink Systems, Inc. and England Logistics Merger

BG Strategic Advisors Announces the Closing of the Merger between Dynalink Systems, Inc. and England Logistics – Convergence of Domestic Truck Brokerage and International Freight Forwarding


Palm Beach, FL – January 7, 2008 – BGSA announced today that Los Angeles-based Dynalink Systems, Inc. has merged with England Logistics of Salt Lake City, UT, a wholly owned subsidiary of C.R. England, Inc. Effective January 1, 2008, Dynalink has become part of the C.R. England family of companies. Dynalink is a global third party logistics company specializing in supply chain management and International Ocean and Air forwarding, along with other logistics services. BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to England Logistics in this transaction.

As a result of this transaction and continued strong organic growth, England Logistics further cemented its status as one of the top 50 logistics companies. “We have looked to international opportunities, particularly in China, as an engine that will fuel growth in the U.S.,” said Sean Snow, President of England Logistics. “By moving upstream into China, we will be able to ensure that we control freight flows from origin to destination.”

Jack Chen believes the merger with England Logistics provides numerous benefits for both Dynalink’s and England’s customers. “Merging with C.R. England will bring customers the benefits of continued personalized attention, greater domestic and international resources, and a comprehensive solution for complete supply chain management services,” commented Jack Chen. “With our strength in International Air and Ocean forwarding and England’s strength in U.S.-based transportation services, we’ve added further value to our customer relationships,” said Chen.

About C.R. England

C.R. England is a family-owned refrigerated transportation business headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, and operates in the 48 states, Canada and Mexico. Besides the truckload service currently provided by their 3,400 trucks and 5,400 reefers, their logistics subsidiary specializes in full truckload brokerage, traffic management, refrigerated intermodal, international distribution, container hauling, and dedicated contract carriage. These services have enabled C.R. England to transition from a refrigerated carrier to a full-transportation provider. For more information about England Logistics, including services offered and career opportunities, please visit www.englandlogistics.com.

About Dynalink Systems, Inc.

Founded by Jack and Maureen Chen in 1992, Dynalink sought to create an all inclusive logistics firm that would provide clients with the best rates, along with some of the industry’s most comprehensive services. Dynalink is a global third party logistics company specializing in International Ocean and Air forwarding and other logistics services. With offices in Los Angeles, New York, and several locations throughout China, Dynalink is a true global logistics company.

England Logistics

BG Strategic Advisors Announces the Closing of the Purchase of Trans-Man Logistics, Inc. by England Logistics


Palm Beach, FL – December 17, 2007 – BG Strategic Advisors announced today that England Logistics of Salt Lake City, UT, a wholly owned subsidiary of C.R. England, Inc., has acquired Trans-Man Logistics, Inc., a Taylor, MI-based global third party logistics company, specializing in supply chain services and transportation management. The acquisition enhances the capabilities of both parties in providing transportation management services. BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to England Logistics in this transaction.

As a result of this transaction and other successful initiatives, England Logistics will end 2007 as one of the top 50 logistics companies.  The purchase of Trans-Man enables England Logistics to cross-sell new supply chain consulting and traffic management services to its customer base. “England is dedicated to becoming a leader in third party logistics services and this acquisition will help us reach that goal,” said Steven Gadd, England Logistics Vice President.

“This is an ideal company to help expand our transportation management services. Trans-Man’s 150 years of combined industry knowledge, strong client relationships and solid financial history are core strengths we looked for in a company,” added Gadd.

William Barrett, Founder of Trans-Man Logistics, Inc., feels the timing of this acquisition is ideal for a combination of reasons. “The recent acquisition activity taking place in the market makes it more difficult to compete with those companies offering a larger menu of opportunities for customers,” noted Barrett. “Our goal is to be the best, and England’s size helps us achieve that goal. It makes us more efficient and provides a larger menu of services to our customers.”

About C.R. England

C.R. England is a family-owned refrigerated transportation business headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT. Besides the truckload service currently provided by their 3,500 trucks and 5,600 reefers, they also specialize in full truckload brokerage, traffic management, refrigerated intermodal, international distribution, container hauling, and dedicated contract carriage. For more information about England Logistics, including services offered and career opportunities, please visit www.englandlogistics.com.

About Trans-Man Logistics, Inc.

Founded in 1997, Trans-Man has become known as “the discoverer of hidden profitability.” Trans-Man offers a wide range of web-based, transportation management deliverables in assisting their clients reduce freight expenses. Trans-Man is unique in the industry in the fact that they guarantee results: The savings they secure for their clients will always be greater than the Trans-Man fees – if not, the difference is paid to the client.

ZLN NA Acquires Interlog USA, Inc.

BG Strategic Advisors Announces the Acquisition of Interlog USA, Inc. By ZLN NA

Palm Beach, FL – March 15, 2007 – BG Strategic Advisors announced today that ZLN NA, of Lausanne, Switzerland, a global provider of integrated logistics solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, has acquired the majority stock of Interlog USA, Inc., a Minneapolis, MN-based, non-asset based provider of global freight forwarding and transportation solutions. The acquisition enhances the capabilities of both parties in providing global supply chain management services. BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Interlog in the transaction.

The addition of Interlog provides ZLN a footprint into North America, the world’s biggest destination market, and enhances ZLN’s ability to sell logistics solutions in Asia and the CIS. “Bringing Interlog USA, Inc. into the ZLN family of companies strengthens our position as a complete, end-to-end global logistics solutions provider,” said Antony Walford, ZLN NA Managing Director. “We see a growing need from small and mid-size shippers for sophisticated global logistics solutions. Interlog has developed unique solutions to the small and mid-sized market segment, and can help ZLN become the leading provider of global solutions to this market. Interlog is an excellent strategic fit with ZLN’s total supply chain solutions.”

“It has always been my vision to take our freight forwarding and logistics expertise, which made us stand out as a solutions provider to small and mid-size shippers, and grow into a broader global network,” echoed James Taylor, Interlog CEO. “By combining part of the ZLN family, we are instantly there. This opens up exciting new opportunities for us to offer stronger, more complete services up and down the supply chain to existing customers, and makes us more competitive in our proposition to prospective customers as well.”

About ZLN NA

ZLN NA, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, is a new brand of logistics service provider, recently established and headquartered in Switzerland. ZLN is backed by one of the largest names in the world of shipping and transportation, and is an independent logistics service provider utilizing a wide range of services and carriers to meet its customers’ needs. ZLN focuses on small and mid-sized shippers, and has tailored its organization, its solutions and its cost base to meet the unique needs of this important market segment. For more information, visit www.zln-logistics.com.

About Interlog USA, Inc.

Established in 1995 and based in Minnesota, Interlog offers ocean import and export services, airfreight services, warehousing, truck brokerage, intermodal rail service, customs brokerage, and logistics consulting services. The Company focuses on a well-defined niche market consisting of companies that have high revenue to employee ratio. Interlog is well known within its niche market segment, and is considered an expert in providing global solutions to the small and mid-size shippers. For more information, visit www.interlogusa.com.

Jacobson Companies and Wilpak, Inc. Merger

BG Strategic Advisors Announces the Merger of the Jacobson Companies with Wilpak, Inc.


PALM BEACH, FL, May 3, 2006 – BG Strategic Advisors announced today that the Jacobson Companies of Des Moines, Iowa, leaders in providing third-party logistics services, have merged with Wilpak, Inc., an Atlanta, GA-based supply chain management (package design, contract packaging, contract manufacturing, and logistics) company. The merger enhances the capabilities of both parties in providing national supply chain management services. BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Wilpak in this transaction.

The addition of Wilpak adds 750,000 square feet of space in Atlanta devoted to contract manufacturing, contract packaging and postponement operations. The company employs an average daily workforce of 500 in the Atlanta area.

“Bringing Wilpak, Inc. into the Jacobson family of companies strengthens our position as a complete, end-to-end supply chain solutions provider,” said Craig Petermeier, Jacobson Companies CEO. “We now can truly ‘do it all’ for our customers. Wilpak has the ability to provide leadership in very specialized areas such as plant relocation/outsourced manufacturing and contract packaging. They are a strategic fit with Jacobson’s total supply chain solution.”

“It has always been my vision to take the systems and processes that made us stand out in contract packaging to a national footprint,” echoed Eric J. Wilhelm, Wilpak CEO. “By combining the operations of the two companies, we are instantly there. This opens up exciting, new opportunities for us to offer stronger, more complete services up and down the supply chain to existing customers, and makes us more competitive in presentations to prospective customers as well.”

“Wilpak is known for its ‘turn-on-a-dime’ flexibility and sophisticated systems in contract packaging,” noted Kirk Fischer, President of Jacobson Packaging Company. “Now, as Wilpak joins forces with Jacobson, we can expand on our ability to deliver state-of-the-art outsourced packaging services to manufacturers in a variety of industries, in markets throughout the U.S.”

About Jacobson Companies

A nationally ranked third-party logistics and warehousing provider, Jacobson is dedicated to providing solutions to customers’ supply chain management challenges. With the recent addition of Southwest Storage & Distribution, the Jacobson organization now includes eight integrated operating companies: Jacobson Distribution Company, Jacobson Warehouse Company, Jacobson Transportation Company, Jacobson Logistics Company, Jacobson Packaging Company, Jacobson Staffing Company, and Jacobson Investment Company. The Jacobson Companies operate a 14 million-square-foot national network. Jacobson’s integrated trucking, warehousing and packaging operations are designed to help customers reduce their supply chain management costs. For more information, visit www.jacobsonco.com

About Wilpak, Inc.

Privately held by Eric J. Wilhelm, Wilpak, Inc., has a client roster that includes major consumer products companies in the beverage, confectionary, hardware and soft goods industries. The company has realized annual double-digit sales increases since its start 13 years ago. Last year was a significant milestone as Wilpak successfully added contract manufacturing and logistics operations, effectively doubling projected sales for 2006. For more information, visit www.wilpak.com.

PWC Logistics and Transoceanic Merger

BG Strategic Advisors Announces the Closing of the Purchase of Transoceanic by PWC Logistics


April 14, 2005 (CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS) – BG Strategic Advisors announced today that its client PWC Logistics, the leading provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions in the Middle East, and US-based Transoceanic Shipping Co, a leading international freight forwarding and logistics management company, has merged with Transoceanic. Under the terms of the agreement, PWC will own all shares of Transoceanic. BG Strategic Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to PWC Logistics in this transaction.

This union forms one of the world’s largest specialized logistics management providers, with offices in twenty-eight countries spread across the globe. Transoceanic will gain access to the resources needed to continue its rapid growth, including PWC’s strong IT platform. Transoceanic will also be able to leverage PWC’s infrastructure in the Middle East, Africa and Asia to offer its customers an expanded range of supply chain services.

As the Middle East, Asia, and Africa continue their tremendous growth surge in the oil and gas (both upstream and downstream); industrial; and power verticals, the combination of PWC Logistics and Transoceanic provides the comprehensive logistics solutions these industries need to keep pace with the rapidly changing market conditions. With the skill set and the technical expertise of Transoceanic, PWC will be able to better serve its customer base in future projects.

“Transoceanic built its outstanding reputation by focusing on execution and exceeding customer expectations,” commented Tarek Sultan, Chairman of PWC Logistics. He continued, “We look forward to working with them and providing our combined customer base an expanded service offering.”

Gregory Rusovich, CEO of Transoceanic said, “We are proud to join PWC, a clear market leader. This transaction presents the entire Transoceanic team an opportunity to grow the company to new heights.” He continued, “This transaction also provides our customers with an enhanced global reach, scale and range of services.”

To further these opportunities, PWC and Transoceanic have already started identifying and pursuing cross-selling opportunities in the Middle East. Going forward, there is no doubt that both PWC and Transoceanic will be better positioned to create a strong and successful world-class logistics and distribution network, coupled with an enhanced global presence.

About Transoceanic

Transoceanic is a leading international freight forwarding and logistics management company, recognized throughout the world for its specialization in the “project freight” sector. With offices at strategic gateways throughout the world, the company’s comprehensive services, systems, facilities and personnel support a team management approach in responding to the logistics requirements of such industry sectors as engineering, process construction, civil construction, government services, energy services and mining.

About PWC Logistics

PWC Logistics is a leading provider of supply chain solutions to companies and governmental organizations throughout the Middle East and Asia. Through its integrated network of warehouse facilities and transportation services, PWC provides its customers with flexible solutions tailored to meet their business needs. PWC’s customers span a broad range of industries, including apparel; automotive; construction; electronics; food and grocery; military and government; and oil and gas. PWC is a publicly traded company listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, ticker symbol WARE, with a market capitalization value of approximately US$8 billion.