New York firm buys West Wisconsin Transport

TBL has learned that Farmington,NY-based Leonard's Express has acquired the assets of West Wisconsin Transport, 6300 Alter Rd., Eau Claire, from Gary Nowak, effective Oct. 31, 2011.

According to Nowak, who started the company in 1994 in his basement with three tractors and three trailers, Leonard's Express purchased 56 tractors, 236 trailers and retained 78 employees.

"They have 19 logistics operations nationwide, but they didn't have a presence in Wisconsin and Minnesota," said Nowak, who will remain with the new owners for at least six months as part of the transition plan. He added that the new owners have signed three, three-year contracts to lease the existing terminal and facilities.

West Wisconsin Transport and its affiliated divisions, West Wisconsin Logistics and West Wisconsin Leasing, is located on a 15-acre parcel near the Interstate 94 interchange. The firm provides van and refrigerated carriers and provides services to local businesses including Nestle, Cascade Tissue and Berry Plastics.

Leonard's Express, a family-owned, asset-based transportation provider, offers transportation solutions for a wide range of customers throughout the nation and parts of Canada. The firm moves more than 7,500 shipments on a monthly basis and provides Less Than Truckload (LTL), refrigerated freight, flatbed and intermodal services. TBL