2012 Mason Wells Acquires A&R Logistics, Inc.
Press Release
Milwaukee WI, December 20 2012
For more information, contact: Kevin Kenealey, Senior Managing Director, 414-727-6417 or Benjamin Holbrook, Senior Managing Director, 414-727-6422
Mason Wells Acquires A&R Logistics
Mason Wells announced today that it has closed on the acquisition of A&R Logistics, Inc. (“A&R” or the “Company”), a leading bulk transportation and logistics company. Joining Mason Wells in the acquisition are industry executives and investors Mark Holden and Rich Mitchell (the “Industry Executives”). Mason Wells, the Industry Executives, members of the existing A&R management team and other investors acquired the Company from private equity firm FdG Associates.
Together, Mason Wells and the Industry Executives will work with A&R’s existing management team to build upon the Company’s leading market position in the dry bulk transportation and logistics industry. “We are excited about the opportunity to work with Mason Wells, Mark Holden, and Rich Mitchell,” said Jeff O’Connor, President and CEO of A&R Logistics, Inc. “Their industry resources coupled with the strong financial support of Mason Wells will enable us to continue serving our customers at a very high level while expanding our leading market position in the chemical and plastics industries.”
“Mason Wells is very pleased to be working with the A&R management team and employees to support the growth of the business,” said Kevin Kenealey, Managing Director at Mason Wells. “The A&R team has built an impressive platform in the bulk transportation and logistics industry and we look forward to helping the Company capitalize on the favorable trends within the chemical and plastics industries.”
“We are excited about partnering with the A&R team,” said Industry Executive Mark Holden. “We view the investment in A&R as the first step in our long-term goal of building a diversified, global transportation and logistics company focused on bulk materials.”
Headquartered in Morris, IL, A&R Logistics, Inc. is a leading provider of dry bulk transportation, packaging, distribution, and logistics solutions to numerous multinational companies within the chemical and plastic industries. A&R provides a comprehensive suite of services including over-the-road transportation, transloading, packaging, warehousing, and end-to-end outsourced transportation management through a nationwide network of 25 facilities, a combination of Company-owned equipment and owner-operators, and a non-asset-based transportation management division. For more information on A&R Logistics, Inc. please visit www.artransport.com.
Mason Wells is a leading Midwest-based private equity firm that manages more than $800 million of capital through the Mason Wells Buyout Funds. Since 1982, Mason Wells has closed more than 80 transactions through the Mason Wells Buyout Funds and its predecessor funds. Mason Wells focuses its investments in the Outsourced Business Services, Consumer Packaged Goods, Packaging Materials & Converting, and the Engineered Products & Services industries. For more information relating to Mason Wells, visit www.masonwells.com.
Industry investors Mark Holden and Rich Mitchell bring significant transportation industry resources and experience to A&R. Previously, Mark Holden was President and CEO of Prime Distribution Services (“PDS”), a leading provider of transportation management, warehousing, and other value-added logistics services. Prior to PDS, Mr. Holden was President of American Commercial Lines (“ACL”), a $1 billion integrated marine transportation and logistics company. Mark also held various executive management positions including the Office of the CEO at Wabash National Corporation. Rich Mitchell was Chief Financial Officer and Senior VP of Corporate Development at PDS. Prior to PDS, Mr. Mitchell served as Senior VP of Corporate Strategy for ACL. Mr. Mitchell also spent over 20 years in various capacities for United Parcel Service, Inc.