Jan. 17, 2024 – (BIRMINGHAM, AL) – PS Logistics, one of the largest privately held transportation and logistics companies in the United States, announced today that its subsidiary Blair Logistics (“Blair”) has acquired the flatbed division of ELS. With this transaction, PS Logistics has further established itself as operating one of the largest 53-foot flatbed carriers in the country with over 500 power units and 1,250 over-length trailers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Kenly, North Carolina, ELS was founded in 2009 by Tim Butts and has continued to operate as a family-owned business. ELS’s flatbed division maintains a fleet of more than 90 tractors and more than 240 over-length flatbed trailers, and primarily hauls steel, industrial materials, lumber, and other building materials. ELS will retain its heavy haul and intermodal operating divisions and operate under the same name, and the flatbed division will now operate as Blair.
“We are excited to welcome ELS’s flatbed drivers and employees to the PS Logistics family,” said Scott Smith, chief executive officer and co-founder of PS Logistics. “The ELS flatbed division will be complementary to our existing over-length operations and allow us to provide enhanced geographic coverage and service offerings to our customers while simultaneously providing greater opportunities to drivers.”
Tim Butts, the founder and owner of ELS, said, “ELS has worked in similar geographies and with similar customers as PS Logistics’ operating companies for many years, and we’ve been able to see firsthand how well they service customers and set up drivers for success. We’re excited that the flatbed division will now be a part of a larger organization that maintains a driver-first culture.”
The transaction continues PS Logistics’ acquisition strategy of partnering with families and quality owners within the transportation and logistics industry. Since 2016, PS Logistics has successfully acquired 25 trucking operations and five non-asset logistics operations across the United States.
About PS Logistics
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, PS Logistics is one of the largest and fastest growing flatbed transportation and logistics providers in the United States. PS Logistics provides full-service transportation services, including asset-based transportation, non-asset-based transportation, brokerage, third-party logistics managed transportation, warehousing, and supply chain services. This hybrid model delivers optimal flexibility to address customers’ transportation needs across various industries throughout the United States.
