Universal Truckload Services has acquired several transportation companies, including D. Kratt International, Cavalry Transportation, Cavalry Logistics and TSD Transportation.


Chicago-based D. Kratt International is a full service international freight forwarding and customs house brokerage firm, which also provides domestic and international logistics and warehousing functions. The company will operate as part of Universal Logistics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Truckload Services.

Cavalry Transportation and Cavalry Logistics out of Nashville offer fully integrated transportation resources, including logistic solutions in intermodal, truckload and less-than-truckload options. Cavalry will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Truckload Services.

TSD Transportation, Texarkana, Texas, offers for-hire freight services including van, flatbed, step deck, heavy haul, hot shots and intermodal services throughout the U.S. The TSD Transportation network consists of approximately 30 agents and 200 owner-operators. It will be integrated into the operations of Louisiana Transportation, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Truckload.

Universal does not expect the purchases to affect the company's financial position in 2010.

"We believe these acquisitions will nicely complement our current service offerings and add additional strength in our truckload operations," said Don Cochran, Universal's president and CEO. "Collectively, they should add about $35.0 million in annual revenue in 2010; however, we do not expect their impact to be accretive to earnings until the second half of the year."