Central States Trucking (CST) Expands Market Leading Position with Purchase of Southwest Freight Distributors, Inc.

Oak Brook, IL – October 18, 2018 - CST, founded in 1980, and currently one of the largest intermodal drayage companies in the United States (22 National Offices, with over 1,500 total Employees and Drivers), has entered into an agreement to acquire Southwest Freight Distributors, Inc. (Southwest). The transaction is expected to close on or about October 28, 2018. Once closed, Southwest will be the eighth acquisition CST has completed since it was acquired by Forward Air Corp. (FWRD).

Southwest is a premier provider of intermodal drayage services to the Dallas freight market. It has over 100 drivers in its fleet. All Southwest management, office staff, and drivers will transition to CST and will continue to provide the same high level of service as their customer base has enjoyed for many years. CST expects the existing growth in the Dallas market to continue and plans to add both driver and operating resources to satisfy our customers’ strong demand in this market.

Commenting on the transaction, Ron Vales, SVP, Sales and Operations for CST said: “Southwest has been around for over 50 years and has an outstanding reputation in the Dallas drayage market. Its focus on high quality service and safe operations aligns perfectly with CST’s continued growth vision. We are pleased to welcome Southwest’s owners, Rich Eberhart and John Jenkins, as well as, their entire team to the CST family.”