J.B. Hunt to acquire brokerage assets of BNSF Logistics

J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. last week announced it will purchase the brokerage operations of BNSF Logistics LLC.

BNSF Logistics provides third-party logistics (3PL) services for the movement of full truckload, flatbed, temp-controlled, drayage, expedited and less-than-truckload freight. The company also offers warehouse, retail specialty, heavy-haul and project services, but they aren't included in the J.B. Hunt purchase.

In 1989, J.B. Hunt and BNSF developed a double-stacking shipping solution that would complement rail and trucking services, a first for the industry at the time. In March 2022, the two companies launched a joint effort to to increase capacity in the intermodal marketplace.

"As we continue to work with BNSF Railway to develop solutions that drive value for customers, we recognized a unique opportunity to combine the companies' efforts to serve the transportation market with 3PL services and leverage the investments [we've] made in our technology platform, J.B. Hunt 360°," said J.B. Hunt CEO John Roberts.

"This agreement ... reflects our companies' shared commitment to provide industry-leading intermodal service to our customers," added BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer.

Following the closing of the transaction, the brokerage operations of BNSF Logistics will roll into J.B. Hunt's Integrated Capacity Solutions for segment reporting purposes. Expected to close before year's end, the transaction will be funded using J.B. Hunt's existing cash balance.