Echo acquires Illinois based freight brokerage

Acquisition of Xpress Solutions gives Chicago-based Echo Global Logistics further reach into small and middle market shippers.    The freight brokerage and third party logistics services provider Echo Global Logistics said Thursday it has acquired all of the assets of Xpress Solutions, Inc., a transportation brokerage headquartered in Frankfort, IL.
   Founded in 1999, Xpress is a non-asset provider of both less-than-truckload and truckload solutions with a regional focus in the Midwest. Steve Rotondi, founder of Xpress and a 20-year veteran of the transportation industry, will assume the title of regional vice president. All existing management and employees will remain with Echo subsequent to the acquisition.
   Effective immediately, Xpress will begin doing business as Echo Global Logistics.
   “We are pleased to be the latest addition to the Echo organization,” said Rotondi. “We look forward to expanding our client service offering by utilizing Echo’s nation-wide LTL and TL carrier network and managed transportation solutions.”
   Echo has grown into a top 10 freight brokerage through a series of regional acquisitions in the last few years.
   “Xpress Solutions has shown consistent and impressive growth and is an excellent strategic and cultural fit,” said Doug Waggoner, chief executive officer of Echo. “Further, this acquisition provides us with a portfolio of small and middle market shippers who will benefit from the full range of technology-enabled transportation solutions we are able to provide.”
   Xpress has grown revenue by approximately 20 percent in each of the last three years. It delivered approximately $13M of gross revenue in 2014.
   American Shipperprofiled Echo in mid 2014.