Lawrence Transportation Buys Virginia Trucker

A small Virginia trucking operator is getting larger through acquisition, taking advantage of opportunities for expansion in the economic recovery.

Lawrence Transportation Systems, Roanoke, is acquiring the trucking assets and operations of William Edwards Inc., a Verona, Va.-based freight hauler.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

By The Numbers: U.S. Intermodal Container Traffic.

The deal will bring Lawrence about $10 million in additional annual revenue, the United Van Lines agent said, boosting its sales above $70 million.

The acquisition will bolster Lawrence's truckload freight operations, adding equipment, drivers, customers and a terminal location, the company said.

Lawrence also acquired Edwards' international container drayage operations.

William Edwards, founded in 1971, will continue to offer dedicated carriage and warehousing services. It serves customers on the U.S. East Coast.

Lawrence Transportation, founded in 1932, offers truckload, flatbed, heavy haul, brokerage and other freight services in addition to moving and warehousing.

The company has facilities in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Glenn Skelton, general manager of William Edwards, and Jim Belshee, safety director of the company, will join Lawrence Transportation.

-- Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com.