RoadOne Purchases United Global, Making Push Into Chicago Market

RoadOne IntermodaLogistics has acquired United Global Logistics, which gives the drayage provider a new presence in the Midwest market, including Chicago.

RoadOne is based in Randolph, Mass., and offers port and rail container drayage, terminal operations, dedicated truckload services, and transloading, warehousing and distribution solutions.

Jerry Chey, owner of Itasca,Ill.-based United Global, will continue on as president of the company, which will operate as a separate and independent division within RoadOne.

United Global’s Boomerang division, serving Ohio and Kentucky, will be integrated into the RoadOne operations.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to join the RoadOne team so UGL can now offer our clients a national service. We look forward to continuing to service our loyal customers under the RoadOne umbrella and believe this will provide an exciting future for all parties involved,” Chey said in a statement.

United Global provides expedited airfreight service and container deliveries throughout the Midwest from Chicago’s intermodal rail yards with a fleet of 150 trucks.

“We think it’s a big win-win for both sides,” said Ken Kellaway, CEO of RoadOne IntermodaLogistics in an interview with Transport Topics. “I think the advantage his [Chey’s] customers have now is that they’re part of a national company that can provide the same services that he provides in the Midwest for deliveries to other parts of the country.”

Kellaway was also excited at the chance to increase his service into Chicago, a major intermodal hub served by most of the Class I railroads.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

RoadOne ranks No. 9 on the TT list of top intermodal and drayage providers.