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Kenan Advantage Group acquires Texas-based XBL

Deal adds largest dry bulk fleet in Carolinas

KAG announces another acquisition. (Photo: KAG)

Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) announced Monday it has acquired dry bulk transporter XBL Industrial Materials and its logistics unit from private equity firm Lilium Group.

Weatherford, Texas-based XBL operates a fleet of 186 tractors (162 drivers) and 356 trailers, hauling bulk industrial commodities like sand, salt and lime as well as a variety of construction materials throughout the Eastern half of the U.S. It has a 53-person operations staff that manages its 10 storage silos and 11 terminals.

XBL touts the “largest dry bulk fleet in the Carolinas,” according to a news release.

Financial terms of the transaction were not provided.


“The transaction with XBL uniquely positions KAG to materially expand our dry bulk transportation platform in the future,” said Grant Mitchell, KAG’s president and chief operating officer. “With their impressive market position and a diverse group of tenured, blue-chip customers, we’ve solidified our entrance into a very niche marketplace.”

North Canton, Ohio-based KAG is the largest tank trucking company in North America, operating roughly 300 terminals. It provides bulk transportation of fuels, energy products, chemicals and food products. KAG Logistics is a broker, providing capacity solutions, managed transportation and logistics services.

On Friday, KAG announced the acquisition of Michigan-based dry bulk hauler PRM Trucking.


Todd Maiden

Based in Richmond, VA, Todd is the finance editor at FreightWaves. Prior to joining FreightWaves, he covered the TLs, LTLs, railroads and brokers for RBC Capital Markets and BB&T Capital Markets. Todd began his career in banking and finance before moving over to transportation equity research where he provided stock recommendations for publicly traded transportation companies.