Echo Acquires Brokerage Firm

Echo Global Logistics, a transportation management firm, has purchased Raytrans Distribution Services, a transportation brokerage firm.

The two will begin doing business together immediately.

Matteson, Ill., based Raytrans was founded in 2000 by James Ray Jr. and specializes in flatbed, over-sized and auto-haul services as well as traditional dry van brokerage.

"Echo will benefit from Raytrans' focus and additional scale, while the Raytrans operation will gain from Echo's technology and mode diversification," said Doug Waggoner, chief executive officer of Echo Global Logistics.

"The Raytrans' specialization and carrier base in combination with Echo's technology enabled procurement capabilities and additional modes of transportation will yield significant customer benefits," said Ray, who will continue as general manager of the Raytrans division of Echo.