Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

H.I.G. Capital agrees to acquire Ascent Global Logistics from other investors

Provider of time-critical logistics services is positioned to meet the increasing complexity within global supply chains, new owner says

ascent MicrosoftTeams-image-452.png

The investment firm H.I.G. Capital has agreed to acquire Ascent Global Logistics, the freight forwarder and transportation service provider that was created in 2020 through the breakup of troubled trucking carrier Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. 

H.I.G. today said that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Belleville, Michigan-based Ascent from another financial firm, Elliott Investment Management L.P. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but after it closes, Ascent’s management team will remain shareholders in the company, with Elliott also retaining a minority stake.


The company was born following Roadrunner’s 2018 accounting scandal, when its parent corporation soon split into two parts, a national less than truckload (LTL) carrier called Roadrunner Freight and a diversified global logistics provider called Ascent.

Ascent today defines itself as a provider of expedited logistics and supply chain solutions, specializing in on-demand ground and air expedited logistics, truck brokerage, freight forwarding, and other value-added transportation services, with customers in the mobility, manufacturing, aerospace, technology, consumer, and healthcare markets.

“Ascent is the preeminent provider of time-critical logistics services and is uniquely positioned to meet the increasing complexity within global supply chains,” Rob Jang, managing director at H.I.G., said in a release. “We are excited to support Ascent’s growth strategy of investing in technology, broadening its unique capabilities, expanding its global reach, and enhancing its strategic carrier network through organic initiatives and acquisitions.”
 

 

Recent

More Stories

chart of robot adoption in factories

Global robot density in factories has doubled in 7 years

Global robot density in factories has doubled in seven years, according to the “World Robotics 2024 report,” presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Specifically, the new global average robot density has reached a record 162 units per 10,000 employees in 2023, which is more than double the mark of 74 units measured seven years ago.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

person using AI at a laptop

Gartner: GenAI set to impact procurement processes

Progress in generative AI (GenAI) is poised to impact business procurement processes through advancements in three areas—agentic reasoning, multimodality, and AI agents—according to Gartner Inc.

Those functions will redefine how procurement operates and significantly impact the agendas of chief procurement officers (CPOs). And 72% of procurement leaders are already prioritizing the integration of GenAI into their strategies, thus highlighting the recognition of its potential to drive significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, Gartner found in a survey conducted in July, 2024, with 258 global respondents.

Keep ReadingShow less
A photo of brown paper packages tied up with shiny red ribbons.

SMEs hopeful ahead of holiday peak

Businesses are cautiously optimistic as peak holiday shipping season draws near, with many anticipating year-over-year sales increases as they continue to battle challenging supply chain conditions.

That’s according to the DHL 2024 Peak Season Shipping Survey, released today by express shipping service provider DHL Express U.S. The company surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gauge their holiday business outlook compared to last year and found that a mix of optimism and “strategic caution” prevail ahead of this year’s peak.

Keep ReadingShow less
holiday shopping mall

Consumer sales kept ticking in October, NRF says

Retail sales grew solidly over the past two months, demonstrating households’ capacity to spend and the strength of the economy, according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

Census data showed that overall retail sales in October were up 0.4% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 2.8% unadjusted year over year. That compared with increases of 0.8% month over month and 2% year over year in September.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mobile robots, drones move beyond the hype

Mobile robots, drones move beyond the hype

Supply chains are poised for accelerated adoption of mobile robots and drones as those technologies mature and companies focus on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across their logistics operations.

That’s according to data from Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Mobile Robots and Drones, released this week. The report shows that several mobile robotics technologies will mature over the next two to five years, and also identifies breakthrough and rising technologies set to have an impact further out.

Keep ReadingShow less