HARTLAND, N.B. – Could the Ontario automotive sector be back on the rise? It appears that one Atlantic trucking group is banking on it.

The Day & Ross Transportation Group announced the acquisition of Ottaway Motor Express and Cross Dock Express Inc, two privately owned dedicated trucking companies based in Woodstock, Ont.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ottaway provides dedicated truckload services from parts manufacturers in Canada and the U.S. to automotive manufacturers' parts distribution centres and dealer networks.

Cross Dock Express is a dedicated automotive parts delivery business and cross-docking service for out bound and inbound (returned) automotive parts.

"We are committed to strengthening and expanding the blend of customized and cost-efficient transportation and distribution services we offer to our customers," said John Doucet, president and CEO of the Day & Ross Transportation Group. "In acquiring Ottaway and Cross-Dock we gain additional capacity in the movement of automotive parts and general freight and we gain cross-docking capability which positions Day & Ross to provide end to end services across all modes of transportation."

Doucet said that both carriers have an e"nviable reputation" with their customers in the dedicated automotive parts segment.

"It's a market that we also know well so the combination of operational knowledge and expanded services will provide significant advantages to our collective customers."

The deal is expected to close at the end of the month, subject to the customary conditions of sale and purchase.