Hirschbach Motor Lines acquired Sapulpa, Oklahoma-based refrigerated carrier John Christner Trucking.

The combined revenue of both companies will exceed $1 billion and will propel Hirschbach to one of the nation’s largest refrigerated carriers, Hirschbach officials said in a press release. The organization will now operate over 3,000 trucks and 5,000 trailers, along with a $150 million third-party logistics operation.

“These two organizations should be united and fit together like two puzzle pieces,” said Brad Pinchuk CEO and owner of Hirschbach, and a 2021 HDT Truck Fleet Innovator. “JCT covers the map coast to coast along the southern tier of the U.S. while Hirschbach’s density is largely east of the Rocky Mountains.”

In addition to adding JCT’s 800 trucks, Hirschbach will be able to offer its customers access to JCT’s “very successful” logistics operation, Pinchuk said.

The acquisition is bolstered by the close alignment of both companies’ cultures, he said.

“We’re both driver-centric organizations that focus on taking care of our people so they can take care of our customers,” said Pinchuk.

JCT was started in 1986 by John Christner. Christner got his start in trucking in the 1960s hauling produce from California and returning to the coast with juice or meat, and this is still the core of what JCT does today. John handed the reins of JCT to his two sons – Danny and Darryl – who took the company to the next level by expanding the size of the trucking company and starting their logistics business.

While John and Darryl Christner will be retiring, Danny Christner will join Hirschbach as president of JCT, which Hirschbach will run as a separate company.

“The ability to transition two of our owners was paramount to any agreement, but equally important was the desire to retain JCT’s identity and autonomy to continue delivering on the long-standing commitments we have to our customers, drivers and non-driving associates,” said Danny Christner, CEO of John Christner Trucking.

The transaction is set to close in early April, but both teams are already starting the collaborative process.