Knight-Swift Transportation Acquires Regional LTL Carrier Dependable Highway Express

Rhea-AI Summary

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX) has acquired the operating assets of Dependable Highway Express's (DHE) non-union regional less-than-truckload (LTL) division, effective July 30, 2024. This strategic move expands Knight-Swift's LTL network to cover approximately 70% of the US population, increasing terminal and door counts by about 10%. The acquisition focuses on key Southwest markets in California, Arizona, and Nevada, connecting with existing AAA Cooper and MME businesses for coast-to-coast service.

DHE generated approximately $122 million in total operating revenue over the past twelve months with an operating margin of about 10%. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Knight-Swift's earnings per share. DHE will operate as a separate brand under the AAA Cooper corporate group, with Joe Finney continuing as its President.

Positive

• Acquisition expands Knight-Swift's LTL network coverage to approximately 70% of the US population
• Increases LTL terminal and door counts by about 10%
• Expected to be immediately accretive to Knight-Swift's earnings per share
• DHE generated approximately $122 million in total operating revenue with a 10% operating margin
• Enhances Knight-Swift's presence in key Southwest markets (California, Arizona, Nevada)
• Enables seamless coast-to-coast service by connecting with existing AAA Cooper and MME businesses

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

Knight-Swift's acquisition of Dependable Highway Express (DHE) marks a significant strategic move in the less-than-truckload (LTL) sector. This transaction is immediately accretive to Knight-Swift's earnings per share, indicating a positive financial impact from day one. The deal expands Knight-Swift's LTL network coverage to approximately 70% of the US population, a 10% increase in terminal and door counts.

DHE's financial performance is noteworthy, with approximately $122 million in total operating revenue over the past twelve months and an operating margin of about 10%. This level of profitability is respectable in the competitive LTL industry, suggesting that Knight-Swift is acquiring a well-run operation.

The strategic value of this acquisition lies in its expansion into key Southwest markets, which are notoriously difficult to penetrate due to the scarcity of available LTL facilities. This move enhances Knight-Swift's ability to offer coast-to-coast service, potentially leading to increased market share and improved economies of scale.

While financial terms were not disclosed, the immediate accretion to earnings suggests that the purchase price was reasonable relative to DHE's profitability. Investors should monitor how quickly Knight-Swift can integrate DHE's operations and realize synergies, as successful execution could lead to improved margins and increased shareholder value in the medium to long term.

Logistics Expert

The acquisition of Dependable Highway Express (DHE) by Knight-Swift is a strategic masterstroke in the less-than-truckload (LTL) sector. This move significantly enhances Knight-Swift's LTL network, particularly in the important Southwest markets of California, Arizona and Nevada. The expansion is not just about geographical coverage; it's about creating a more robust and efficient logistics network.

By integrating DHE with its existing AAA Cooper and MME businesses, Knight-Swift is positioning itself to offer seamless coast-to-coast service. This is a game-changer in the LTL industry, where network density and coverage are critical success factors. The ability to serve more customers across a wider area can lead to improved asset utilization and potentially higher profit margins.

The acquisition also addresses a key challenge in the LTL sector - the difficulty of building or acquiring facilities in certain locations. By acquiring an established player like DHE, Knight-Swift bypasses the time-consuming and often costly process of organic growth in these markets.

From an operational perspective, the retention of DHE's leadership, including Joe Finney as President, suggests a strategy to maintain operational continuity while leveraging Knight-Swift's resources and scale. This approach could facilitate a smoother integration process and help retain valuable customer relationships.

Looking ahead, the success of this acquisition will depend on how effectively Knight-Swift can integrate DHE's operations, leverage cross-selling opportunities and optimize the combined network. If executed well, this could set a new benchmark for LTL service quality and efficiency in the industry.

Market Research Analyst

Knight-Swift's acquisition of Dependable Highway Express (DHE) is a strategic move that reshapes the competitive landscape in the less-than-truckload (LTL) sector. This transaction significantly enhances Knight-Swift's market position, particularly in the Southwest region and accelerates its ambition to build a nationwide LTL network.

The LTL market has been experiencing consolidation and heightened competition, with major players vying for market share and network expansion. Knight-Swift's acquisition of DHE is a clear response to this trend, allowing the company to quickly gain a foothold in key markets that are traditionally difficult to penetrate.

From a market perspective, this acquisition could potentially disrupt existing competitive dynamics. Knight-Swift's enhanced coast-to-coast capabilities may put pressure on regional LTL carriers and even challenge larger national players. The company's ability to offer more comprehensive services could also attract shippers looking for integrated transportation solutions, potentially leading to market share gains.

Moreover, the timing of this acquisition is noteworthy. As e-commerce continues to drive demand for LTL services, Knight-Swift is positioning itself to capitalize on this growth trend. The expanded network coverage, now reaching approximately 70% of the US population, aligns well with the evolving needs of shippers in the e-commerce era.

Looking forward, this acquisition could trigger further consolidation in the LTL sector as competitors seek to maintain their market positions. It also sets the stage for intensified competition in pricing and service quality, which could benefit shippers but may put pressure on smaller, less efficient carriers.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Effective July 30, 2024, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX) ("Knight-Swift" or the “Company”) acquired the operating assets and assumed certain liabilities of the non-union regional less-than-truckload (“LTL”) division (“DHE”) of Dependable Highway Express, Inc. (“Dependable”), based in Los Angeles, California. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Knight-Swift’s earnings per share.

Knight-Swift CEO, Adam Miller, commented, “We are excited to take the next step toward building a nationwide LTL business, and especially to grow our network to include the key Southwest markets of California, Arizona, and Nevada. This transaction increases our LTL terminal and door counts by approximately 10% and brings our network’s coverage of the US population to approximately 70%. The strategic value of acquiring a strong Southwest competitor like DHE is meaningful given the impact to our coverage area significantly expands the customers we can serve as well as the difficulty of building or acquiring LTL facilities in many of these locations. DHE will connect with our existing AAA Cooper and MME businesses to provide seamless coast-to-coast service to our customers.

“I want to welcome the DHE employees to the Knight-Swift family and look forward to working together to deliver creative solutions and excellent service to even more customers. Coupling the proud DHE brand with our resources, network, and scale should represent expanded opportunities for employees and enhanced offerings for customers. We are grateful for the efforts of many at Knight-Swift, AAA Cooper, and DHE who have worked to bring this transaction to fruition and who will continue to work together to ensure a smooth transition for all employees and customers.”

Dependable CEO Ronald Massman added, “The entire Massman family is immensely proud of the legacy built by the DHE LTL team and thankful for their efforts over our many years in business. While we never intended to sell the division, we have watched with admiration as Knight-Swift set about building a leading national LTL business. When the Company approached us about a transaction, we immediately saw the strategic merit of the Dependable LTL division joining the platform. Additionally, we felt the entire Knight-Swift organization epitomized our core values of Integrity, Service and Diversity in every way. We could not have asked for a better steward of the business and look forward to watching the combined LTL business grow from here.”

Financial terms were not disclosed. The Company estimates that DHE generated approximately $122 million in total operating revenue over the past twelve months with an operating margin of approximately 10%. The DHE associates and assets will operate as a separate brand under the AAA Cooper corporate group. Joe Finney served as Chief Operating Officer of DHE prior to the transaction and will continue leading DHE as its President after the transaction. Scudder Law served as legal advisor to Knight-Swift. Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to Dependable, and Proskauer served as legal advisor to Dependable.

About Dependable Supply Chain Services

Prior to the transaction, Dependable’s LTL division operated within the broader integrated services offering of Dependable Supply Chain Services, an affiliated group of asset-based third-party logistics providers founded over 70 years ago by the Massman family. The LTL division serves its customers through a network of facilities located across California, Arizona and Nevada, and has developed a strong reputation for integrity, reliability and diversity. Dependable will continue to operate its full truckload, warehousing and distribution, harbor drayage and third-party logistics businesses under its existing Dependable Supply Chain Services branding.

About Knight-Swift

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is one of North America's largest and most diversified freight transportation companies, providing multiple truckload transportation, less-than-truckload, logistics, and business services to the shipping and transportation sectors. Knight-Swift uses a nationwide network of business units and terminals in the United States and Mexico to serve customers throughout North America. In addition to operating the country's largest tractor fleet, Knight-Swift also contracts with third-party equipment providers to provide a broad range of services to its customers while creating quality driving jobs for driving associates and successful business opportunities for independent contractors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the completion of the transaction, all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and expectations, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are generally denoted by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “aim,” “target,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “ongoing,” “goal,” “can,” “seek,” “designed,” “likely,” “foresee,” “forecast,” “project,” “hope,” “strategy,” “objective,” “mission,” “continue,” “outlook,” “potential,” “feel,” and similar expressions. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Statements in this announcement that are forward-looking may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of the transaction with DHE, including statements regarding expected impacts on Knight-Swift’s LTL network and relationships with customers and employees, expected synergies and revenue opportunities, anticipated future operating performance and results of Knight-Swift, including statements regarding anticipated earnings. By their nature, all forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and/or quantify. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that there may be unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction; risks related to the ability of Knight-Swift to successfully integrate the businesses and achieve the expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected timeframes or at all and the possibility that such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; risks that the transaction disrupts Knight-Swift’s current plans and operations; risks related to disruption of each company’s management’s time and attention from ongoing business operations due to the integration; continued and sufficient availability of capital; the risk that the transaction could have an adverse effect on the ability of Knight-Swift to retain and hire key personnel, to retain customers and to maintain relationships with its business partners, suppliers and customers and on its respective operating results and businesses generally; the risk associated with assumed liabilities including related litigation, and of future litigation related to the transaction, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; risks related to changes in accounting standards or tax rates, laws or regulations; risks related to unpredictable and severe or catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities (including effects of the conflict in Ukraine), cyber-attacks, or the impact of any pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease in the United States or worldwide on Knight-Swift’s business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the response thereto by the Company; and other business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic (including the effect of inflation), political or regulatory conditions. Also, Knight-Swift’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of additional reasons as described in Knight-Swift’s SEC filings, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section and under any “Forward-Looking Statements” or similar heading in Knight-Swift’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Knight-Swift’s forward-looking statements. Knight-Swift’s forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding Knight-Swift’s transaction with DHE, future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Knight-Swift does not assume any duty to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, uncertainties or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240730800358/en/

Adam Miller, CEO, Andrew Hess, CFO, or Brad Stewart, Treasurer and SVP

(602) 606-6349

Source: Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.

FAQ

What company did Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX) acquire on July 30, 2024?

Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX) acquired the non-union regional less-than-truckload (LTL) division of Dependable Highway Express (DHE) on July 30, 2024.

How much revenue did DHE generate before the acquisition by Knight-Swift (KNX)?

DHE generated approximately $122 million in total operating revenue over the past twelve months before the acquisition, with an operating margin of about 10%.

What percentage of the US population does Knight-Swift's (KNX) LTL network cover after the DHE acquisition?

After acquiring DHE, Knight-Swift's (KNX) LTL network coverage expanded to approximately 70% of the US population.

How will the DHE acquisition impact Knight-Swift's (KNX) earnings per share?

The acquisition of DHE is expected to be immediately accretive to Knight-Swift's (KNX) earnings per share.

Which key markets does the DHE acquisition add to Knight-Swift's (KNX) LTL network?

The DHE acquisition adds key Southwest markets in California, Arizona, and Nevada to Knight-Swift's (KNX) LTL network.