Challenger Group Expands Flatbed Service With Purchase of Assets From Ed Wiersma Trucking
Challenger Motor Freight has agreed to acquire a majority of assets of flatbed and dry van truckload carrier Ed Wiersma Trucking Inc. in Kitchener, Ontario, for an undisclosed amount.
The company also announced a pay raise for new and existing drivers as of March 30.
Although details of the pay increase and the number of assets acquired from Ed Wiersma Trucking were not disclosed, both moves are designed to help boost freight hauling capacity at a time of strong demand for trucking services, according to a statement issued by Challenger on March 21.
Challenger Motor Freight provides dry van truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal and drayage services and its Special Commodities Division provides flatbed and heavy-specialized transportation throughout Canada and the United States.
The Challenger group of companies also provides refrigerated truckload, logistics and cross-border services. Based in Cambridge, Ontario, Challenger ranks No. 89 on Transport Topics’ Top 100 list of For-Hire Carriers in North America.
The acquisition of assets from Ed Wiersma Trucking will allow Challenger “to more quickly expand our already large flatbed service coverage,” Lynda Crickmore, vice president of Challenger Special Commodities Division, said in a statement.
“We have relationships with a significant number of premium shippers across North America and an acquisition like this gives us more opportunity to enhance our leadership position,” she added.
