LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - Mergers and acquisitions, while an exciting headline, can spell stress for both sides involved. True to form, however, the recent acquisition of United World Transportation (UWT) by Allen Lund Company (ALC) was more the blending of families—a process that spells success for produce customers across North America.
“Part of our growth strategy is to make acquisitions, and our strength is produce. That’s what this company was built on,” Eddie Lund, President of Allen Lund Company, starts off. “So, finding other companies that are dealing in that produce world is ideal for us. As a United States-based company, it has felt tougher to do business in Canada. Now, having ALC Canada as part of our repertoire, I think, will help us get a foot in the door with Canadian-based companies. Especially those familiar with the great work Steve and Jim have done over the past 20 years.”
Ensuring the acquisition strengthens both its reach and its fresh produce focus, the doors opening across the U.S.-Canadian border is a key part of ALC’s strategic vision. With the welcoming of the UWT team, the company is able to answer long-requested customer demand for expertise in Canada, as well as welcome a great matchup.
“It’s an acquisition, but to Eddie’s point, we are all in the logistics of produce. That’s all we do, and we’ve been doing it for 20 years. There’s no learning curve in the industry, only our individuals getting on the same page,” Jim Brister, former Co-Owner and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for United World Transportation, clarifies as he steps into his role as Business Development Manager for ALC Canada. He adds that the upbeat atmosphere has made the next steps even simpler. “Everyone’s excited about something new and the powerful technology we’ve seen already in some of our training sessions. That has continued to make this a good fit as we become an extension of what Allen Lund Company does with what we do.”
Even sitting across from the three of them as they begin to echo and build off each other’s comments, I can see familiarity and overlaps in the knowledge everyone brings to the table. Jim points this out, saying that often in a group discussion, someone would comment on a customer or area the other was already familiar with, if not established.
Speaking to all these logistics leaders, this new chapter spells wonder for all involved considering the ingenuity and commitment each side’s story has written so far.
“Jim and I started our business back in 2003 with no background whatsoever in freight or logistics. We saw an opportunity, and we felt that there was a real lack of focus on service by some of the competition in the industry. That’s what we tried to do—two of our strengths are our customer relationships and our employee relationships. So, when we first got to know the people at Allen Lund, we noticed the same strengths in them,” Steve Baker, former Co-Owner and President of United World Transportation and now General Manager of ALC Canada, recalls of the fateful meeting.
Strongly established as a family-run, culture-focused business, he explains how it was very important for the Allen Lund Company team that relationships and values of any additions align.
“We probably do acquisitions a little bit differently than others,” Eddie agrees wryly. “We really try to get to know the company first before we talk business. In fact, we try to get the Owners down to see us, so they can kick our tires and make sure it’s a good match for them and their people too.”
Because, Eddie points out, most folks approached by ALC started the business, and it’s their baby—they want to make sure it passes into trustworthy hands. This is especially true in produce, which is often a way of living as well as a job.
“We’ve always tried to balance our business between finance and operations versus sales and marketing. Going forward, we’re going to continue in that vein, but with modifying it a little bit to the ALC model. That’s how we run our business from the beginning, and the opportunities ahead are exciting ones,” Steve concludes, looking to the proverbial horizon.
The result? Everyone gains the opportunity to grow opportunities for the business and those it serves.
