U.S. Xpress announced a merger of the companys Arnold Transportation Services with LinkAmerica Corp., a Ft. Worth-based truckload and logistics carrier serving the Southeast and Southwest.


LinkAmerica is owned by Tenex Capital Management, a New York-based investment firm. The merger will be completed in January 2013.

The combined company will operate under the Arnold name and employ more than 1,800 drivers. Tenex Capital and U.S. Xpress will jointly own and operate the new company.

Arnold Transportation Services, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based regional carrier, offers dry van services stretching from the Northeast to the Southwest.

LinkAmerica Corp. is a transportation and logistics services company, specializing in the Southeast, South Central, and Southwest regions, including dedicated and truckload perations, logistics services, and brokerage throughout the United States. This move extends Arnold's dominance in the regional market with increased capacity, taking Arnold to more than 1,400 trucks and 5,000 trailers, according to the announcement. This footprint supplements existing business and allows the expansion of network coverage and further accelerates overall company growth plans. Arnold expects more than $220 million in annual revenue from the combined organization.

"With this merger, Arnold Transportation Services will be the 32nd largest truckload operation in the United States, offering top-notch service for high-demand regional freight, said Todd Smith, chief executive officer, Arnold Transportation Services. The deal complements our current business model and supports the goals of growing and attracting more drivers.