BURLINGTON MOTOR CARRIERS ACQUIRES TRANS-STATE LINES

BURLINGTON MOTOR CARRIERS ACQUIRES TRANS-STATE LINES

   Burlington Motor Carriers, as part of an aggressive acquisition plan, has purchased the assets of Trans-States Lines Inc. of Fort Smith, Ark. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

   The agreement includes BMC acquiring about 250 power units and 475 53-foot trailers. Trans-State Lines had revenue of about $30 million in 2000. With the addition, BMC expects its annual revenue to increase to $300 million.

   BMC will maintain a terminal in the Fort Smith area and transfer all non-operations functions to its Daleville, Ind. headquarters or to other BMC terminals in the next month.

   'Burlington Motor Carriers has now increased its seated fleet size over 19 percent so far in 2001, and we plan to continue growing aggressively throughout the rest of the year,' said Terry Wallace, president and chief operating officer.

   BMC operates in the lower 48 states, Mexico and Canada. The acquisition increases its fleet size to 2,200 tractors and 5,400 trailers.