TRANSPORTATION
Hydron | June 13, 2022
Mo Chen, Co-Founder of San Diego-based autonomous driving company TuSimple (Nasdaq: TSP), has started a new company, Hydron, committed to developing, manufacturing, and selling hydrogen-powered trucks equipped with L4 autonomous driving technology. Chen is set on transforming long-haul freight transportation through hydrogen-powered autonomous trucks making trucking safer, cleaner, and more efficient, minimizing the carbon footprint of class 8 heavy-duty trucks globally.Chen, a Canadian entrepreneur, co-founded self-driving technology company TuSimple with business partner Xiaodi Hou in 2015. Tusimple quickly attracted the attention of global logistics giant UPS, who invested in the company back in 2019 before TuSimple went public through a traditional IPO raising $1.3 billion in total funding. In December of 2021, TuSimple cemented its status as the leader in the development of AI-powered autonomous driving software by becoming the first and only company to successfully operate long-haul heavy-duty trucks autonomously on open public roads without a human in the vehicle and without remote intervention.
"The path to commercializing autonomous vehicles requires the complex integration of both hardware and software, The biggest challenge in bringing autonomous driving to the market at scale is not software development, but access to reliable mass production hardware, and now with Hydron, we will be able to provide automotive-grade hardware specifically for autonomous networks."
-Mo Chen, Chief Executive Officer at Hydron.
Hydron plans to become a leading provider of hydrogen-powered autonomous trucks and refueling infrastructure through partnerships to become a complete solution provider for autonomous driving companies, commercial fleets, and leading carriers. Hydron also plans to collaborate with partners to build a manufacturing facility in North America to better meet the U.S. supply chain challenges. The first generation of Hydron trucks is expected to enter mass production in Q3 of 2024, with a complete set of sensors, computing units, and redundant actuators to meet L4 autonomous driving requirements.
Hydron is a privately held independent company and is not affiliated with TuSimple.
About Hydron
Hydron, Inc. is a Southern California-based company committed to the development, manufacturing, and sales of purpose-built autonomous ready trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Hydron aims to become the leading provider of hydrogen-powered autonomous trucks and refueling infrastructure and will focus on the North American, European, and Middle Eastern markets.
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SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY
Rockwell Automation | August 16, 2022
Rockwell Automation, the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, finds that digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and customer experience (CX) improvements are among the top priorities driving the development of new corporate supply chain strategies, according to a new study conducted by Forrester Consulting.
The study, Increase Brand Loyalty and Generate ROI with Improved Traceability, was commissioned by Rockwell Automation to understand the degree to which environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, external regulatory demands, and brand reputation drive private-sector interest in supply chain traceability solutions.
According to the survey, Asia-Pacific companies (62%) are most focused on the digital transformation of their supply chain, and 59% said their company wants to implement or improve sustainability initiatives.
While compliance remains a key driver of new investments in supply chain management, demands related to sustainability and customer experience have propelled these strategic shifts. In fact, 57% of supply chain decision makers have already implemented or are expanding initiatives that will reduce waste within their supply chain.
Forrester Consulting's research on behalf of Rockwell Automation is based on a January 2022 survey of 307 global supply chain decision makers about their use of or interest in traceability and serialization solutions to optimize their supply chain. To download a copy of the full report, click here.
"While companies are already seeing some success from serialization initiatives, those that invest in more comprehensive traceability solutions often see improved data ownership, cost savings from reduced counterfeiting and grey market diversion, and higher customer satisfaction,"
-Christine Akselsen, CEO of Kezzler.
Rockwell Automation's supply chain capabilities combined with Kezzler's cloud-based traceability technologies help customers connect suppliers, manufacturing, logistics, and consumers into one real-time traceability platform. Rockwell and Kezzler have already created traceability solutions for customers like FrieslandCampina, one of the world's largest dairy companies.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 25,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise® to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com
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SUPPLY CHAIN
Certa | July 01, 2022
Certa – a leading supplier management platform – released Studio 2.0, a new version of its industry-leading no-code workflow design product, to help organizations more effectively navigate and overcome supply chain disruptions.Amid ongoing globalization challenges, record inflation, and a looming recession, procurement teams need speed and flexibility to adapt to market changes. Studio 2.0 equips businesses with exactly that – enabling procurement to rapidly onboard new suppliers, optimize compliance, and manage risk in a more flexible manner, without any IT bottlenecks.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and war between Russia and Ukraine have proven that interconnectedness comes with great vulnerability. Governments are requiring greater hygiene with rules and regulations that make international business relations harder than ever. As a result, companies are confronted with compliance challenges and are quickly reorganizing their supply chains, Certa enables businesses to overcome today’s market complexity and manage the entire supplier lifecycle at scale – from quickly onboarding and ensuring compliance, to continuously monitoring risk and ESG rankings. Throughout the global chaos, we’ve seen too many businesses playing catch up because IT couldn't respond to their needs fast enough. Studio 2.0 solves this problem by enabling business users to quickly and easily change business processes and onboard new partners.”
-Jag Lamba, founder, and CEO of Certa
According to recent research from Forrester, 87 percent of procurement decision-makers recognize the importance of accelerating their response to the ever-changing market. However, as procurement teams tackle the reorganization of supply chains, the burden of onboarding, managing compliance, and mitigating risk is heavier than ever. Supplier onboarding and partner management have become an organization’s first line of defense against growing security concerns, new regulations, and volatile consumer demands. Certa is a lifeline for businesses that need to quickly partner with new suppliers in the wake of global changes, regulations, and skyrocketing costs. Certa’s enhanced capabilities with this new release empower businesses to easily manage compliance through a constantly evolving supplier landscape, all while mitigating the inherent risk that comes along with market fluctuation and volatility. In a time where trusted partners have never been more critical, Certa’s Studio 2.0 allows businesses to be more agile and informed than ever before.
Certa’s Studio 2.0 is the next generation of Certa’s no-code platform, allowing users greater flexibility with new modules, clear visibility into process dependencies, and a more responsive, drag-and-drop interface that all business users can navigate to significantly reduce the timeline and level of effort required to create a customized solution.Certa Studio 2.0 is now available to new and current customers. To learn more, please visit: getcerta.com For more information, visit www.getcerta.com. Follow Certa on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay up to date.
ABOUT CERTA:
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Certa is a leading no-code supplier lifecycle management platform, eliminating onboarding bottlenecks, and empowering companies to easily do business with good companies. Founded in 2015, Certa uses more than 100+ integrations with trusted data sources and systems to automate and orchestrate workflows, allowing for 3x quicker third-party vendor onboarding while minimizing risk and increasing transparency. Certa has onboarded over a million companies across 120 countries for clients that range from leading tech firms to Fortune 500 companies. Learn more at https://www.getcerta.com.
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TRANSPORTATION
ButcherJoseph & Co. | June 09, 2022
ButcherJoseph & Co. (“ButcherJoseph”) advised Smith Transport, Inc. (“Smith” or the “Company”), an asset-based truckload carrier headquartered in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, on its sale to Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLD) (“Heartland”). The transaction closed in June of 2022.
Heartland acquired 100% of the equity of Smith and related companies for a cash-free, debt-free enterprise value of approximately $170 million. Smith was an S corporation for tax purposes, and the transaction included an election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code, resulting in tax deduction benefits over periods of one to fifteen years. The purchase agreement contains customary terms and conditions. The Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania property was acquired from its owners in a separate transaction for $14 million in cash and includes both the trucking terminal and 375,000 square feet of warehouse space that is leased to tenants.
Barry Smith, Smith’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus, added, Building Smith Transport has been my life’s work, and I could not have found a better home than Heartland for the Smith family. They offer us long-term stability and the opportunity to grow as part of an industry leader, while retaining our own culture and identity. I look forward to being part of the team to ensure a smooth transition.
“As an employee-owned company, our goal was to find the best value and the best home for our people for years to come. We had long thought Heartland was a great fit because of their regional presence, respect for professional drivers, and unsurpassed customer service that mirrors our own philosophies. With the ability to pay cash and invest in our headquarters, and the desire for Smith to remain an independent brand operated by the same people, the choice was clear. I’m excited to work with Mike Gerdin and the Heartland team to make this a success for everyone.”
-Todd Smith, Smith’s President
ButcherJoseph Managing Partner Joe Strycharz commented, “We’re delighted to have been able to advise Smith Transport in a transaction that met the Company’s strategic objective to remain an independent brand operated by the same people who helped build the company and its culture. The team conducted a thorough process to identify the right buyer and negotiate terms that met the needs of the employee stakeholders involved. Like Heartland, Smith is a dynamic company driven by a commitment to excellence. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and look forward to the continued growth and future success of both Smith and Heartland.”
About Smith Transport
Founded in 1982, Smith Transport, Inc. is an asset-based truckload carrier headquartered in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, with terminal locations in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Indiana. Smith primarily provides dry van transportation and other specialized services in the eastern United States. Smith’s customer base includes many Fortune 500 companies including expedited transportation integrators, retailers, beverage manufacturers, and home supply companies, several of whom have been customers for over 20 years. Smith operates a fleet of approximately 850 company tractors, with an average age of less than three years, and approximately 2,000 dry van trailers. The modern fleet is not expected to require any out of cycle investment.
About Heartland Express
Heartland Express, Inc. is an irregular route truckload carrier based in North Liberty, Iowa, serving customers with shipping lanes throughout the United States. Heartland focuses on medium to short haul regional freight, offering shippers industry-leading on-time service so they can achieve their strategic goals for their customers. Since its initial public offering in 1986, Heartland has grown from approximately $20 million in revenue to one of North America’s largest, most profitable, and best capitalized truckload carriers. Heartland has been recognized 18 times by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top 200 Best Small Companies in America, 17 times as one of the Best Truckload Carriers in America by Logistics Management Magazine, and as one of America’s Most Trusted Companies by Newsweek Magazine in 2022.
About ButcherJoseph & Co.
ButcherJoseph & Co. is a boutique investment banking firm specializing in ESOPs, mergers and acquisitions, private debt & capital sourcing and valuation advisory services for middle market companies. Its industry recognized team of professionals has executed 200+ transactions exceeding $15 billion in total value. ButcherJoseph is headquartered in St. Louis with a presence in Washington, DC and offices in Chicago, Charlotte, Scottsdale, and Nashville.
Advisors
Scudder Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. served as merger and acquisition transaction and legal advisor to Heartland, while Utz & Lattan, LLC served as Heartland’s special ESOP counsel. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP served as transaction counsel and McGuireWoods served as special counsel to Smith. Moore & Van Allen PLLC served as counsel to the ESOP trustee.
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