Canadian bulk hauler Trimac Transportation announced Tuesday that it has acquired bulk food-grade logistics provider California Freight, adding approximately 500 tractors, a tanker fleet for raw milk, and more than 400,000 square feet of food-grade storage to its North American network, according to FreightWaves. The transaction expands Trimac into the liquid food-grade transportation segment; financial terms were not disclosed.
Strategic rationale
The acquisition is part of Trimac's long-term growth strategy to diversify beyond industrial commodities into high-demand agricultural logistics, FreightWaves reported. California Freight brings three decades of specialized expertise serving food and agricultural companies, primarily across California's Central Valley, a core dairy and produce region. That expertise includes transportation, warehousing and brokerage services that will now sit inside Trimac's broader bulk-trucking portfolio.
Operational footprint
California Freight operates a network of eight terminals, a warehouse and a brokerage office across California and Nevada, according to FreightWaves. Its fleet includes roughly 500 tractors and tank trailers that ship raw milk to processing facilities. The company also operates over 400,000 square feet of food-grade storage space, FreightWaves said.
Below is a summary of the acquired operational base as reported by FreightWaves:
| Operational asset | Figure |
|---|---|
| Terminals (California and Nevada) | 8 |
| Tractor fleet | Approximately 500 |
| Food-grade storage space | Over 400,000 sq ft |
| Industry experience | 37 years |
| Core service area | California's Central Valley |
Leadership and deal structure
California Freight will continue to operate under its current banner, according to FreightWaves. Jesse Hanson, a Trimac sales and operations executive, will take over as president of California Freight.
Trimac President and CEO Matt Faure said in Tuesday's announcement:
With three decades of specialized expertise, their capabilities in food-grade transportation, warehousing and brokerage align directly with Trimac's long-term growth strategy.
Dave Sanders, California Freight vice president and founder, said:
California Freight has been dedicated to reliable service in the food and beverage and dairy sectors for a long time. Joining Trimac means our team and customers will be provided with even greater resources to serve those who have trusted us for decades.
Tenney Group, which served as exclusive sell-side advisor to California Freight, described the company's growth from ten tanker trailers into one of the Central Valley's leading raw-milk and food-grade carriers, according to FreightWaves. Ashesh Pansuria, director of M&A at Tenney Group, said:
Jim Aartman and Dave Sanders grew California Freight from just ten tanker trailers into one of the Central Valley's leading raw milk and food-grade carriers. For Trimac, this acquisition represents a strategic entry into the liquid food-grade transportation market, and they were committed to finding a best-in-class operator to establish that platform. They recognized the exceptional business Jim and Dave built over the years, and it was a privilege to represent them throughout this transaction.
Implications for shippers and logistics operators
Freight forwarders and 3PLs routing bulk food-grade freight in California's Central Valley now have a counterparty whose ownership has changed: California Freight will continue operations under its current banner, with Trimac sales and operations executive Jesse Hanson taking over as president. The acquired company provides transportation, storage and logistics services to food and agricultural companies, according to FreightWaves, so shippers using those services are now working within Trimac's network. The deal's most operationally visible additions are the roughly 500 tractors, the raw-milk tanker fleet and the over 400,000 square feet of food-grade warehousing that Trimac now controls. Shippers and 3PLs should verify that existing pickup-and-delivery workflows and customer service channels at California Freight's eight terminals remain unchanged during the transition.
Watch list
- The transition of Jesse Hanson into the presidency of California Freight under the new ownership.
- The ongoing operation of California Freight's eight terminals and warehousing network, which continues under its current banner.
- The brokerage office included in the acquisition — the announcement did not specify how it will operate within Trimac's network.
- Financial terms of the transaction, which have not been publicly disclosed.
Sources:
