Auto Driveaway, a portfolio company of Evanston Partners, has acquired J&J Driveaway and J&J Freight Brokers (together J&J).
J&J is a provider of heavy truck (Class 7 and Class 8) transport services along with boutique freight brokerage services.
J&J moves trucks, complex assets, and other freight using drivers in 49 states and parts of Canada for over 500 customers including OEM truck manufacturers, Fortune 500 companies, dealerships and purchasers of new and used heavy trucks. The company is headquartered in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park (www.jjdriveaway.com).
Auto Driveaway is a provider of nationwide vehicle relocation service to large corporate fleets as well as vehicle leasing and management companies. Services include fleet shipping and fleet management services; single vehicle “door-to-door” shipping (vehicle driven point-to-point); “truck away” shipping via a network of DOT approved motor carriers (over the road single or multi-vehicle trucking); expedited shipping (pickup within 48 hours); enclosed carrier shipping for high-value vehicles; international (overseas) shipping; short-term and long-term vehicle storage; licensing, titling and registration of vehicles; and vehicle maintenance and reconditioning services. Auto Driveaway operates 40 company-owned and franchise licensed locations across the US and is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Lombard, IL (www.autodriveaway.com).
Auto Driveaway was formed in December 2014 by CEO Rodney Ruth and the principals of Evanston Partners to acquire the parent/franchisor Auto Driveaway Franchise Systems, LLC and four branch offices from a group of Auto Driveaway franchisees. The company has grown rapidly through the acquisition of additional offices and now operates ten company-owned offices in Long Beach and San Diego, CA; Denver, CO; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Indianapolis and Elkhart, IN; Cincinnati, OH; and Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
J&J’s co-founders Crystal O’Dwyer and Kelly Rolfe will remain with the new company as members of the management team and as minority owners. “We are extremely excited to be partnering with Crystal, Kelly, and the J&J team,” said Mr. Ruth. “The J&J team has built a terrific business with a lot of positive momentum and a number of exciting growth opportunities.”
Evanston Partners invests in lower middle market companies that have revenues from $5 million to $20 million and EBITDA of at least $500,000. The firm invests across a range of industries but has specific experience in food and food-related manufacturing and distribution, packaging and niche consumer products and services. Evanston Partners is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Evanston (www.evanstonpartners.com).
© 2019 Private Equity Professional | January 18, 2019
