Alvan Motor Freight Closes Doors

Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Alvan Motor Freight has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and gone out of business, the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press reported Monday.

The carrier, which began operations in 1941, employs 525 people in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, the paper said.

Alvan has about 400 trucks and 800 trailers, according to American Trucking Associations’ fleet data.

Alvan Chief Executive Officer James Van Zoeren said Sunday that Alvan will cease operations and has arranged for Central Transport to deliver its remaining freight, the Press said.

Van Zoeren said he was trying to sell the business, the paper reported.

The company was hurt by a three-month strike at auto parts supplier American Axle, which was one of Alvan’s biggest customers, Van Zoeren said.