Bennett Motor Express Acquires Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging Co.

September 17, 2013

Bennett Motor Express, LLC (Bennett), the largest of seven operating companies within Bennett International Group, LLC, today announced it has completed the asset purchase of Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging Co. (Ace Doran). Ace Doran, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based, family owned and operated transportation company, has served the shipping public since 1913. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The purchase by Bennett extends its open-deck trucking capacity and strengthens its geographic footprint in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States and Canada. The addition of Ace Doran’s 200 independent owner-operators increases Bennett’s fleet by 25 percent to over 800 trucks. Over 100 additional transportation freight agents will have access to the combined fleet.

“Our decision to buy Ace Doran is consistent with our strategy of prudent growth.”

said David Lowry, Vice President, Bennett International Group and CEO, Bennett Motor Express

“Ace Doran’s fleet of flatbeds, step decks and RGNs is complementary to our current fleet. With this acquisition, we can provide additional specialized trailer and hauling capacity to customers around the country.”

Ace Doran, LLC’s day-to-day operations will continue from its Cincinnati, Ohio headquarters, with former owner-Dan Doran joining Bennett and retaining the title of President. The intention of Bennett’s leadership is to keep intact the structure and processes that have made this 100-year-old company a success.

“We are excited to have joined a larger, financially strong company and continuing our century of service,” said Dan Doran, President, Ace Doran, LLC. “I am proud of my family’s heritage and the efforts of all of our employees, past and present, who have made Ace Doran what it is today. I am enthusiastic about the future of Ace Doran, as we become part of an organization whose resources will help us to better serve our owner operators, agents and customers and whose core values blend so nicely with ours.”

The acquisition is the largest in the history of Bennett Motor Express, LLC, which started with just 5 trucks and two customers in 1974. Since then, Bennett has expanded its services to include heavy haul and specialized transport, logistics planning, warehousing, and brokerage that today generates over $150M in revenue.

The fit between the two companies is excellent, according to Marcia Taylor, CEO, Bennett International Group. “We are both family-owned companies with long and rich histories in the transportation industry. Plus, we share similar cultures, visions and values of providing superior service to customers.  We are very excited about Ace Doran joining the Bennett family and look forward to extending our transportation and logistics reach and scope in the industry.”

About Ace Doran

Founded in 1913, Cincinnati, Ohio-based Ace Doran is a family-owned company providing flatbed transportation of commodities ranging from steel and copper to specialized freight and machinery. It operates short- and long-haul open-deck service to the lower 48 states and Canada. Ace Doran has won numerous industry awards for fleet safety and exceptional service. For more information, visit https://www.acedoran.com.

About Bennett Motor Express

Founded in 1974, Bennett Motor Express, LLC (BME) is the largest of seven operating companies within McDonough, Ga.-based Bennett International Group, LLC. BME is comprised of six divisions: Flatbed, Stepdeck, Government Services, Heavy Haul, Air & Space Services, and Ace Doran, LLC. Specializing in hauling heavy, over-dimensional and unusual freight, BME has transported some of the largest pieces of equipment ever moved on the open road. Bennett International Group, LLC, and its affiliated companies, are Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified as women-owned. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com.