Prime acquires trucking operations from TRL

Prime Inc.'s Robert Low

The Trucker News Services

1/4/2008

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Prime Inc. reports the company acquired the trucking operations of Transcontinental Refrigerated Lines of Pittston, Penn., in December 2007. The TRL freight network will operate as a division of Prime Inc., the company said.

“This is a promising opportunity for us in a region of the country that compliments our freight network and driver base,” stated Robert Low, Prime president and CEO. “We appreciate Mr. Hrobuchak’s confidence in us to maintain the strong customer service for the customers that TRL have been serving. TRL was a good company focused on service, and I am confident that all customers and the drivers will see positive benefits from this transaction.”

In 1975, Stephen P. Hrobuchak Jr. and his father founded TRL Trucking as a family-owned trucking company, starting with two trucks.

“We have experienced decreasing profitability these last few years,” said Stephen Hrobuchak Jr., former president and CEO of TRL. Faced with escalating fuel costs, insurance and other issues, Hrobuchak said he “felt like the best solution for the company and [his] associates was to seek out Prime.”

The Pittston facility. will function as Prime’s East Coast Customer Service Center, according to the company news release. Prime adds the Pennsylvania location to their current list of Regional Customer Service Centers located in Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri and Florida.

Prime said it will retain key personnel, including TRL’s current owner, Stephan P. Hrobuchak, to ensure high quality of service for current customers and drivers during the transition.

Founded in 1970 by Robert Low, Prime Inc. is a refrigerated, flatbed and tanker carrier serving an international client base and operating a fleet of approximately 4,000 trucks. Prime’s corporate headquarters are located in Springfield, Mo.