Buy-Side M&A Advisory

The Proprietary Origination Engine for 3PL Acquisitions

Armstrong & Associates identifies, screens, and opens doors to acquisition targets no other advisor can see. In business 46 years and the leading source of 3PL market research since 1994, we bring that market intelligence to bear alongside a proprietary database of over 4,000 third-party logistics providers, including freight brokers, managed transportation providers, e-commerce and warehousing providers, dedicated contract carriage providers, and international air and ocean freight forwarders. Every entry is a real, vetted 3PL acquisition candidate, not a generic company list.

Whether you are a strategic acquirer or a financial sponsor, A&A gives you a decisive edge in identifying targets, assessing valuations, and closing deals.

A Proven Buy-Side Track Record

A&A has provided advice on 26 closed transactions as an advisor to leading private equity firms and strategic acquirers, including:

• Alexander & Baldwin / Matson Global, in its acquisition of Pacific American Services, an asset-light value-added warehousing, packaging, and distribution company, as the sole buy-side advisor.
• CJ Logistics in its $216 million investment in DSC Logistics, a leading value-added warehousing and supply chain management 3PL.
• CVC Capital Partners in the Worldwide Express and GlobalTranz merger.
• Hub Group in its $255 million acquisition of CaseStack, a retail consolidation and supply chain services provider.
• ICV Partners in its investment in Horizon Air Freight.
• Palladium Equity Partners in its investment in Source Logistics, a value-added warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment 3PL.
• Redwood Logistics (an AEA Investors portfolio company) in its acquisition of Rockfarm Supply Chain Solutions, as sole buy-side search advisor.

“It was great working with the A&A team as our sole buy-side search advisor to secure our recent Rockfarm deal. We expect significant value creation and growth with Rockfarm and are mutually focused with the A&A team in closing more deals in the future.” — Mark Yeager, Chief Executive Officer, Redwood Logistics

See our Latest Advisory Service Transactions for the full list, and Active M&A Advisory Clients for mandates currently in market.

Why A&A for Buy-Side Advisory

• See the whole field before you make contact. Know each target’s revenue, segment mix, asset profile, and leadership before any outreach, from A&A’s own proprietary data, not a pitchbook.
• Speed to targets. Because A&A already knows the field, engagements often surface qualified acquisition candidates within the first two to three months, not after a long cold-research ramp.
• Aligned incentives. A&A shares in your success. Up to 50% of our already low advisory fees are credited back on a successful transaction, so our compensation is tied to your outcome.
• Fair-market valuations grounded in real benchmarks. A&A’s primary market research and M&A multiple benchmarks anchor what a target is actually worth.
• Warm introductions. A&A arranges initial meetings and secures NDAs so you get to the table faster.
• Operational due-diligence muscle. Operations and information technology expertise to pressure-test a target before you commit.

Our Buy-Side Advisory Process

1. A&A will work with your team to finalize its acquisition criteria to target 3PLs with desirable service offerings, expand into emerging markets, or strengthen current capabilities.
2. A&A will create an initial target list based on the acquisition criteria using its proprietary database of over 4,000 3PLs. Your team should be able to provide A&A with any potential acquisition candidates you would like to exclude from the search. Additionally, A&A will utilize publicly available information sources to identify acquisition targets that meet our clients’ criteria.
3. Using the final target list, A&A will:
   a. Arrange Initial Meetings with Candidates to Explore a Potential Acquisition.
   b. Secure NDAs/Confidentiality Agreements with those Targets of Interest.
   c. Participate in Target Meetings.
   d. Support Post-Meeting Follow-up.
   e. Support Negotiations as Requested.
   f. Expand the List as Needed to Ensure a Robust Pipeline.
4. A&A will hold regular update calls with your team at least once every two weeks, or as mutually agreed.
5. If requested, A&A can provide due diligence support at hourly rates.

Engage A&A for a Buy-Side Search

Are you a strategic acquirer or financial sponsor looking to acquire or build a 3PL platform? A&A will define your acquisition criteria, build a proprietary target list, and manage the pipeline to close. Complete the confidential form below and a member of our M&A advisory team will contact you within two business days.

Are You a 3PL Open to Being Acquired?

If you are a 3PL interested in being considered for acquisition by an A&A buy-side client, or in a growth-equity introduction, submit a confidential profile below. All information is held in strict confidence.