Business acquisition pace slowed slightly in the dealer, aftermarket and supplier in February after a hot start to the year in January. Vendors and dealers represented all of the transactions in the month as the aftermarket was silent.
The month started with JOST Werke SE, which acquired Hyva, a renowned global technology leader in hydraulic solutions, strengthening its position as a leading supplier for on-highway and off-highway applications in the commercial vehicle industry. “With the Hyva brand as part of the JOST World, we are strengthening our business structure, customer base, and market positioning. Together, we will expand our global footprint, enrich our portfolio for transport and agriculture businesses, and boost our potential in the infrastructure industry,” said Joachim Dürr, CEO of JOST Werke SE.
Next was the announcement that The Yokohama Rubber Company Limited has completed its acquisition of Goodyear's off the road tire business. “The sale of the OTR business is a significant milestone in Goodyear’s transformation,” said Goodyear President and CEO Mark Stewart. “Our portfolio is now more streamlined, driving further efficiencies and enhancing our focus on our core industry-leading products and services.”
Diesel Laptops came next, announcing on Feb. 11 its acquisition of Preteckt, adding a powerful pillar, Remote Vehicle Monitoring and Predictive AI, to its expanding suite of solutions. "For years, I've said that the future of our industry is in 24/7 vehicle monitoring, with diagnostics and repair plans developed proactively," said Tyler Robertson, CEO of Diesel Laptops. "We already do this today for in-shop customers, but this acquisition allows us to expand that capability to the millions of commercial trucks on the road that keep America moving."
The dealer space was the site of the next move as Nuss Truck & Equipment acquired Trucks Inc., on Feb. 12. The move expands' the Nuss network to serve customers in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky. "This is a key strategic location in a growing community," said Greg Nuss, executive vice president and COO of Nuss Truck & Equipment. "We are excited to bring our world-class customer service, advanced resources and commitment to excellence to southeast Missouri. Our team looks forward to supporting the hardworking businesses and individuals who keep this region moving."
The next day featured more dealer changes, as it was announced Ascendance Truck Centers had added Thompson Truck & Trailer and its five locations in the Midwest. “Supporting our customers continues to be of the utmost importance,” said Ascendance Director of Operations Spencer Miller. “By combining Thompson’s deep-rooted history and experience with the vast network of Ascendance, the dealer group will be able to offer an expanded range of products and services, as well as enhanced support that comes with a nationwide dealership of scale.”
Following that, Fontaine Modification announced its purchase of ProBilt Services, an upfitter located just three miles from Peterbilt’s Denton, Texas, truck manufacturing facility. With the acquisition, Fontaine intends to expand its modification and upfit services it offers for Peterbilt trucks and others. “This acquisition strengthens our position in the heavy-truck industry, provides new opportunities for growth and expands our ability to support our customers,” said Jamil Young, Fontaine Modification president. “We look forward to continuing to build on ProBilt’s reputation for quality and reliability.”
In the last days of February, Bruckner's Truck & Equipment announced its purchase of Transport Equipment Inc., expanding the company's footprint Montana, Idaho and deeper into Washington state. "We are pleased to expand our presence in the Pacific Northwest and continue the legacy built by the Bidlake family," said Brian Bruckner, president of Bruckner's. "As a second-generation dealership, they have established a reputation for exceptional customer service and a 'do what it takes' attitude. We are committed up upholding that standard with the existing team."
The month concluded with Amerit Fleet Solutions acquiring Vector Fleet Management, a provider specializing in state and local government and heavy industrial fleets.“We are excited to welcome Vector Fleet Management to the Amerit family,” said Dan Williams and Amein Punjani, Amerit co-CEOs. “This acquisition enhances our ability to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end fleet solutions to a broader range of customers. By integrating Vector’s specialized services with our own, we can provide a unified approach that meets the diverse needs of our clients.”
