Huron's Food Transportation Platform Completes Add-on Acquisition

DETROIT, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Huron Capital Partners announced today that its portfolio company, Cardinal Agri-Logistics, Inc. ("Cardinal"), has acquired Charles G. Lawson Trucking, Inc. ("Lawson"), in partnership with Lawson's management team.  The investment was made through The Huron Fund III, L.P., and is the 59th investment Huron has completed through its three investment funds.

Huron formed Cardinal in 2009 to invest in the highly-specialized, niche bulk liquid food-grade sector of the transportation and logistics industry.  Cardinal's first acquisition was Jacksonville, IL based Landes Trucking, Inc. ("Landes") which serves grain processors throughout the Midwest.  Lawson represents Cardinal's second acquisition in this sector.  Lawson is headquartered in Montgomery, AL and is a leading regional provider of specialty food transportation services to the Southeast U.S. with terminal operations in Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana.  Lawson provides bulk liquid food-grade, refrigerated and dedicated van transportation services to a diverse set of food manufacturing customers.  Lawson has the capability to transport a broad array of food products including soybean oil, yeast, vinegar, and a variety of other bulk and specialty food products.  Lawson has been family-owned since its founding in 1976 and has grown to over 180 employees over the past 35 years.

Billy Rotton, President of Lawson, stated, "We see many similarities with Landes and Lawson – each company starting many years ago with one truck.  We have both built our businesses one lane at a time by providing excellent customer service and focusing on each and every detail.  We are excited to continue this tradition in partnership with Landes and Huron."

Jim Mahoney, a Partner at Huron, stated, "We believe the addition of Lawson to Cardinal brings critical mass, expands our geographic footprint, further diversifies our customer base, and broadens our service capabilities.  We are excited to join forces with Lawson to increase our level of service to existing customers and pursue new markets.  Lawson's reputation for food safety, service, and on-time delivery made this a very attractive addition to our existing platform."

About Huron Capital Partners LLC

Huron Capital is an operationally-focused private equity firms investing in lower middle-market companies.  The firm invests up to $70 million to sponsor buyouts, growth initiatives, corporate spin-offs and recapitalizations of niche manufacturing, specialty service, and value-added distribution companies having revenues up to $300 million.  Huron seeks opportunities where it can help companies reach their full potential by combining its operational approach, capital and transaction experience with proven operating executives who have the vision, experience, and commitment to grow their businesses.

Founded in 1999, Huron has acquired or invested in 59 companies with aggregate revenues in excess of $1 billion.  Investments have been made in the USA and Canada in a variety of areas, including document management, education, healthcare products & services, specialty chemicals, specialty packaging, consumer products and apparel, home décor, engineering services, food and beverages, office furniture components and laboratory testing.  Huron Capital has raised over $600 million in committed equity through three private equity funds, and has offices based in Detroit and Toronto.  For more information, visit www.huroncapital.com.

SOURCE Huron Capital Partners LLC