OKOTOKS, AB — The trucking and logistics provider Mullen Group Ltd. has closed on its acquisition of Courtesy Freight Systems Ltd., a privately- owned freight transportation company.

Courtesy provides regional less-than-truckload (LTL) services, primarily in northwestern Ontario and parts of Manitoba, operating a fleet of approximately 68 power units and 48 trailers through a network of six terminals, employing 113 people.

The acquisition, while not significant in terms of size or revenue, is important to Mullen for two fundamental reasons, according to Murray K. Mullen, chairman and CEO.

“Firstly, from a strategic perspective we continue to invest in regional LTL opportunities. With the acquisition of Courtesy, we will own and operate six regional LTL businesses in Canada, providing regional service to customers from Ontario right through to British Columbia,” he said. “Secondly, Courtesy is an excellent complement to Gardewine Group Limited Partnership which we acquired in January, 2015. Those two companies operate in similar geographic markets serving communities and customers in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.”

Mullen purchased Gardewine, which provides both regional less-than-truckload, truckload and specialized truckload services primarily in Manitoba and Ontario, for $172 million and operates as a subsidiary of Mullen Group.

Mullen expects the purchase of Courtesy will contribute additional annual revenue in excess of $10 million and will contribute $2 million in annual operating income.