Exclusive Buy-Side Advisor
Zipline Logistics
About the Company
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Zipline Logistics LLC (“Zipline” or the “Company”) is a tech-enabled freight broker exclusively serving the consumer-packaged goods segment. The Company’s services include full truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, port drayage, and temperature-controlled shipping. Underpinning a service-centric focus is a proprietary technology solution called KANOPI that was developed to assist client supply chain efficiency, improve cost reductions, and drive performance improvements by increasing order visibility. KANOPI aggregates entire network-wide data sets and turns that data into insights. In 2022, Zipline recapitalized the business with Frontenac to support the next stage of growth.
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Situation
Since partnering with Frontenac in 2022, Zipline made a strategic decision to aggressively pursue add-on acquisitions to accelerate its growth potential. The Company sought to add depth to its brokerage capacity for consumer products, bolster transportation management capabilities, and enhance temperature-controlled services. The targets’ transportation management system technology would be a critical factor in determining fit, with the goal that KANOPI could immediately enhance the target customer’s transportation purchasing experience.
Engagement
Zipline and Frontenac engaged G2 Capital Advisors, LLC (“G2”) as the exclusive buy-side advisor to identify and originate acquisition targets that met the Company’s criteria and expansion goals. As with all clients, G2 worked as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to help Zipline reach its growth objectives and create long-term shareholder value.
Outcome
Zipline acquired Summit Eleven, Inc. (“Summit Eleven”) in March 2024, a multi-modal transportation service provider based in Austin, Texas. Through this acquisition, Zipline gained additional logistics capabilities, particularly in temperature-controlled brokerage, and expanded leadership team expertise.
Wally Lynch, Zipline CEO, said, “We were pleased with G2’s execution: They provided clear industry knowledge to help with the acquisition rationale and brought numerous targets to the table, allowing us to find the one that met our layered objectives. We are thrilled to team up with Summit Eleven, and believe they are a great cultural fit who will help to enhance our ultimate vision to deliver unparalleled value to our partners and clients.”
Chris Casteleyn, Head of Transportation & Logistics at G2, said, “It’s exciting to help two firms with common goals come together to enhance customer experiences through technology and service. We thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Zipline’s innovative and visionary leaders. Our G2 team is confident that Zipline has identified a complementary partner to further their goal of delivering exceptional service.”
Deal Team
Sub-Sector
- Third Party Logistics
Contact
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