Hub Group expands its supply chain solutions through the acquisition of Choptank Transport

Rhea-AI Summary

Hub Group has acquired Choptank Transport, a leader in cold-chain logistics, for $130 million.

This acquisition is expected to enhance Hub Group’s brokerage business, pushing revenue beyond $1 billion and expanding its refrigerated transportation capacity. Choptank brings a vast network of over 20,000 carriers and an experienced management team, which will bolster Hub Group's multimodal logistics capabilities by addressing increasing customer demands in the refrigerated sector.

Positive

• Acquisition of Choptank Transport for $130 million enhances Hub Group's brokerage business.
• Combined revenue from the acquisition expected to exceed $1 billion in 2021.
• Choptank adds a strong network with over 20,000 carriers and advanced technology.
• Expands Hub's refrigerated intermodal container fleet to 1,000 units by 2022.

Negative

• None

Hub Group extends its supply chain solutions through the acquisition of leading cold-chain focused third-party logistics company, Choptank Transport.

Transaction Highlights:

• Expands Hub Group’s brokerage business to over $1 billion of revenue, with substantial presence in dry van, refrigerated and LTL freight
• Adds leading North American provider of non-asset refrigerated transportation services
• Advances Hub Group’s position in the refrigerated space while serving its customers’ growing cold-chain needs
• Adds a best-in-class Brokerage technology
• Choptank’s experienced management team will remain with the business
• In connection with the transaction Hub announces plans to further expand its refrigerated intermodal container fleet

OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hub Group (Nasdaq: HUBG) announced today that it acquired Choptank Transport, Inc. (“Choptank”), an industry-leading provider of non-asset refrigerated transportation solutions. Since its founding in 2000, Choptank has achieved one of the fastest growth rates in the industry with its expansive network of over 20,000 carriers throughout North America, specializing in chilled and frozen solutions. The acquisition bolsters Hub Group’s presence in the refrigerated transportation space and adds a complementary offering to serve its customers' multimodal transportation and logistics needs. The addition of Choptank is an important strategic milestone toward achieving Hub Group’s goal of over $6 billion of revenue by 2025.

“We are excited to welcome Choptank’s employees, customers and carriers to Hub Group,” said Hub Group Chairman and CEO David Yeager. “This acquisition delivers on our strategy to provide the industry’s premier supply chain solutions, and will advance our position in the growing cold-chain segment.”

The acquisition enhances Hub’s over-the-road refrigerated transportation solutions offering, and complements its growing fleet of 450 refrigerated intermodal containers. Hub Group intends to further invest in its refrigerated transportation offering by purchasing 550 refrigerated intermodal containers in 2022, bringing the size of its fleet to 1,000.

Choptank adds scale to Hub’s brokerage service line, with combined revenue of over $1 billion across dry van, refrigerated and LTL freight expected for 2021. The acquisition is expected to result in numerous complementary cross-selling opportunities for both Hub’s and Choptank’s customer bases. With this transaction, Hub’s non-asset business lines will contribute over 40% of total revenue.

In addition to its expansive carrier network, Choptank’s 400 employees will join Hub Group. The company has developed a best-in-class proprietary technology platform that Hub will leverage to enhance its Brokerage operation.

“Our team is excited to join Hub Group,” said Choptank CEO Geoff Turner. “We share similar values of service, integrity and innovation, which we are excited to bring together to fuel our continued growth. Choptank brings our wealth of industry experience, a strong carrier network, and innovative technology that, when combined with the industry presence and reputation of Hub Group, will unlock value for our customers and move our business forward.”

Cash consideration for the transaction of $130 million was funded by cash on hand. In connection with the acquisition Hub Group granted contingent compensation to the owners and senior management team of Choptank to incentivize their retention and drive continued growth of the business. Choptank expects to generate over $450 million of annual revenue in 2021.

Winston & Strawn LLP served as lead legal counsel to Hub Group on the transaction. Stifel and McAllister, DeTar, Showalter & Walker LLC acted as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to Choptank on the transaction.

CONFERENCE CALL

Hub Group will hold a conference call at 10:00am Eastern time on October 19, 2021 to discuss the transaction. Hosting the conference call will be Phil Yeager, President and Chief Operating Officer. Geoff DeMartino, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, will also participate on the call.

The call is being webcast and can be accessed through the Investors link on Hub Group’s web site at www.hubgroup.com. The webcast is listen only. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should follow the telephone dial-in instructions below.

To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial (888) 771-4371 approximately 10 minutes prior to the call and provide Conference ID 50240217. The call will be limited to 60 minutes including questions and answers.

An audio replay will be available through the Investors link on Hub Group’s web site at www.hubgroup.com. This replay will be available for 30 days.

CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this press release that are not historical may express or imply projections of revenues or expenditures, statements of plans and objectives or future operations or statements of future economic performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause the actual performance of Hub Group, Inc. to differ materially from those expressed or implied by this discussion and, therefore, should be viewed with caution. All forward-looking statements and information are provided pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these factors. Forward-looking statements generally may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “trends”, “assumptions”, “target”, “guidance”, “outlook”, “opportunity”, “future”, “plans”, “goals”, “objectives”, “expects”, “anticipate”, “expected”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “intend”, “believe”, “potential”, “projected”, “estimate” (or the negative or derivative of each of these terms), or similar words, and include our statements regarding our outlook, profit improvement initiatives and capital expenditures. These forward-looking statements are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions, and anticipated future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate. We believe these statements and the assumptions and estimates contained in this release are reasonable based on information that is currently available to us. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include general or regional economic conditions and health concerns; the effect of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including any spikes, outbreaks or variants of the virus, as well as any future government actions taken in response to the pandemic, including on our business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions and on our customers, counterparties, employees and third-party service providers; our ability to sustain or the effects of plans intended to improve operational execution and performance; changes in or implementation of governmental or regulatory rules and interpretations affecting tax, wage and hour matters, health and safety, labor and employment, insurance or other undeterminable areas; intermodal costs and prices, the integration of NSD or Choptank and any other acquisitions and expenses relating thereto; the future performance of Hub’s Intermodal, Truck Brokerage, Dedicated and Logistics business lines; driver shortages; the amount and timing of strategic investments or divestitures by Hub; the failure to implement and integrate critical information technology systems; cyber security incidents; retail and other customers encountering adverse economic conditions and other factors described from time to time in Hub Group's SEC reports, press releases and other communications. Hub Group assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

About Hub Group: Hub Group offers comprehensive transportation and logistics management solutions. Keeping our customers’ needs in focus, Hub Group designs, continually optimizes, and applies industry-leading technology to our customers’ supply chains for better service, greater efficiency, and total visibility. As an award-winning, publicly traded company (Nasdaq: HUBG) with nearly $5 billion in revenue, our 6,000 employees across the globe are always in pursuit of “The Way Ahead” – a commitment to service, integrity and innovation. For more information, visit hubgroup.com.

About Choptank Transport: Choptank Transport is a leading technology-enabled U.S. third-party logistics company that specializes in truckload, less-than-truckload, refrigerated and dry freight, as well as rail, air and ocean transportation. Choptank employs approximately 400 people at its headquarters in Preston, Maryland, as well as five other locations nationwide, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver and Tampa.

SOURCE: Hub Group, Inc.

CONTACT: Maralee Volchko of Hub Group, Inc., +1-630-271-3745

FAQ

What is the significance of Hub Group's acquisition of Choptank Transport?

The acquisition strengthens Hub Group's position in the refrigerated logistics market and aims to boost revenue significantly.

How much did Hub Group pay for Choptank Transport?

Hub Group acquired Choptank Transport for $130 million.

What are the expected revenue benefits from the acquisition of Choptank?

The acquisition is expected to enhance combined revenue beyond $1 billion for Hub Group.

How will Choptank Transport contribute to Hub Group's offerings?

Choptank will provide a vast carrier network and advanced technology, enhancing Hub Group's brokerage services.

What is Hub Group's goal for revenue by 2025?

Hub Group aims to achieve over $6 billion in revenue by 2025.