RADIANT LOGISTICS ACQUIRES STRATEGIC OPERATING PARTNER UNIVERSAL LOGISTICS, INC.

Rhea-AI Summary

Radiant Logistics (NYSE American: RLGT) has acquired Universal Logistics, a Texas-based company operating under its Airgroup brand since 2001. Universal, founded in 1999, specializes in time-sensitive domestic and international air and ocean freight services for the oilfield services and HVAC industries from its Houston operations. The acquisition follows Radiant's recent strategic moves, including the purchases of Viking Logistics in April 2024 and Foundation Logistics and Services in September 2024. Post-acquisition, Universal will initially continue operating under the Airgroup brand before transitioning to the Radiant brand during 2025, integrating with existing Company-owned operations in Houston.

Positive

• Strategic expansion in Houston market through acquisition of long-term partner (since 2001)
• Strengthens presence in specialized logistics for oilfield services and HVAC industries
• Consolidation of operations expected to create operational synergies in Houston
• Third successful acquisition in Houston area since April 2024, showing strong market expansion

Negative

• Integration costs and risks associated with combining operations in Houston
• Potential customer disruption during brand transition from Airgroup to Radiant

Insights

M&A Strategy Analyst

Radiant's acquisition of long-term partner Universal Logistics strengthens Houston operations and demonstrates successful execution of their consolidation strategy.

This acquisition represents a textbook example of Radiant's articulated growth strategy - converting existing strategic partners into company-owned operations. Universal Logistics has been operating under Radiant's Airgroup brand since 2001, making this less a new market expansion and more an operational consolidation of a known entity.

The transaction marks Radiant's third Houston-area acquisition in approximately one year, following Viking Logistics (April 2024) and Foundation Logistics (September 2024). This concentrated activity signals a deliberate effort to achieve operational scale in this strategic market. The planned consolidation of Universal with existing Houston operations under the Radiant brand during 2025 should create operational efficiencies and eliminate redundancies.

Universal's specialization in time-sensitive logistics for oilfield services and HVAC industries brings valuable sector expertise fully in-house. These niches typically require specialized knowledge and command premium pricing due to their time-critical nature. By consolidating these operations, Radiant can fully capture the revenue and potentially enhance service offerings to these specialized customer segments.

This transaction exemplifies Radiant's unique value proposition to logistics entrepreneurs - providing operational support and technology during partnership, followed by a built-in exit strategy. This model allows Radiant to thoroughly understand an operation before acquisition, significantly reducing integration risks compared to traditional M&A approaches.

While no financial details were disclosed, preventing assessment of the acquisition's direct financial impact, the strategic rationale aligns perfectly with Radiant's stated business model of carefully nurturing partnerships before bringing them fully into the corporate structure.

RENTON, Wash., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Radiant Logistics, Inc. (NYSE American: RLGT), a leading provider of technology-enabled global transportation and value added logistics solutions, today announced it has acquired the operations Universal Logistics, Inc. ("Universal"), a Texas based, privately held company with operations in Houston, Texas that has operated under the Company's Airgroup brand since 2001. 

Founded in 1999, Universal services a diversified account base specializing in time-sensitive domestic and international air and ocean freight for the oilfield services and HVAC industries.  On a post-closing basis, Universal will continue to operate under the Airgroup brand and is expected to transition to the Radiant brand over the course of 2025 as Universal's Houston operations combine with existing Company-owned operations in the area.  

David Rogers of Universal commented, "Through years of dedicated service, our entire team has developed some very strong relationships with our customers, vendors and associates around the globe. Our customers have always remained our top priority whether they were here in the United States or abroad and this philosophy has been key to our success. Since Radiant acquired Airgroup back in 2006 they have proved to be a great partner, and it has been rewarding to be a part of the building momentum of the Radiant network over the years. I am excited to now transition the business in a way that meets my own personal goals while also ensuring the continued success of our customers and employees and we look forward to joining with our fellow teammates to fly the Radiant flag in Houston."

"The Universal transaction and our long-standing partnership with Dave and his team represents another great example of our work with our strategic operating partners," remarked Radiant's Founder and CEO, Bohn Crain. "We launched Radiant in 2006 with the goal of partnering with logistics entrepreneurs who would benefit from our unique value proposition and the built-in exit strategy available to the entrepreneurs participating in our network and we are pleased to be able to support Dave in this transition and bring our teams together. In combination with Radiant's acquisition of Viking Logistics in April of 2024 and the more recent acquisition of Foundation Logistics and Services in September 2024, we are excited for the opportunity to continue to build on the great momentum we have in Houston."

About Radiant Logistics (NYSE American: RLGT)

Radiant Logistics, Inc. (www.radiantdelivers.com) is a publicly traded third party logistics company providing technology-enabled global transportation and value added logistics solutions primarily to customers based in the United States and Canada. Through its comprehensive service offering, Radiant provides domestic and international freight forwarding along with truck and rail brokerage services to a diversified account base including manufacturers, distributors and retailers which it supports from an extensive network of Radiant and agent-owned offices throughout North America and other key markets around the world. Radiant's value-added logistics services include warehouse and distribution, customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management and technology services.

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding future operating performance, events, trends and plans. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected revenues and costs, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "estimates," "anticipates," or "believes" or the negative thereof or any variation thereon or similar terminology or expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations, include but are not limited to, the performance of our historic business at levels consistent with recent trends and reflective of the synergies we believe will be available to us as a result of our recent acquisitions; and those risk factors that apply to our operations as disclosed in Item 1A of our Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other public documents and press releases which can be found on our web-site (www.radiantdelivers.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, as they speak only as of the date made. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof. 

Investor Contact: Radiant Logistics, Inc Todd Macomber (425) 943-4541 investors@radiantdelivers.com

Media Contact: Radiant Logistics, Inc. JP Deenihan (425) 462-1094 communications@radiantdelivers.com

 

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SOURCE Radiant Logistics, Inc.

FAQ

What company did Radiant Logistics (RLGT) acquire in May 2025?

Radiant Logistics acquired Universal Logistics, a Texas-based company operating under its Airgroup brand since 2001, specializing in time-sensitive freight services for oilfield services and HVAC industries.

How many acquisitions has RLGT made in Houston since 2024?

RLGT has made three acquisitions in Houston: Viking Logistics (April 2024), Foundation Logistics and Services (September 2024), and Universal Logistics (May 2025).

What industries does Universal Logistics serve?

Universal Logistics specializes in time-sensitive domestic and international air and ocean freight services for the oilfield services and HVAC industries.

When will Universal Logistics transition to the Radiant brand?

Universal Logistics will continue operating under the Airgroup brand initially and is expected to transition to the Radiant brand over the course of 2025.