One of the largest trucking companies in Alaska has been acquired by a privately-held Seattle-based transportation and petroleum distributor.
Carlile Transportation Systems has effectively become a member of the Saltchuck Resources family of businesses, in a transaction that closed May 31.
"Our relationship with Saltchuk is 20 years long, already having been friends, vendors and customers. I really feel this is a match made in heaven," said Carlile CEO and co-founder Harry McDonald in a written statement. "Saltchuk is family owned, as we are, and we share like values. Carlile's management and employees are excited about the new opportunities and benefits we will be able to offer our customers."
Carlile, with its 700 employees, will remain a standalone company and joins Saltchuk's national team of 5,500 people.
Saltchuck adds Carlile to its roster of other Alaskan companies, which include Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Delta Western, Northern Air Cargo, Inlet Petroleum and Cook Inlet Tug & Barge.
Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of Saltchuk says there are no plans to change the company in any significant way.
"It will stay headquartered here in Anchorage and our expectation is we've got a great organization and by joining our family of companies we can take it to a new level," said Tabbutt.
Channel 2's Blake Essig previously covered Carlile truckers travelling the Dalton Highway in our series, "America's Most Dangerous Highways." Find the two-part series here and here.