Sumner trucking, distribution company snapped up by global logistics firm

A global logistics group is expanding its presence in the Northwest, buying a locally owned distribution and trucking firm based in Sumner.

Cleveland-based World Group announced Wednesday it has acquired Sumner-based Pacific Cascade, which includes Pacific Cascade Distribution and Pacific Cascade Trucking.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pacific Cascade was founded in 2005 by Jeff Roulst. The company offers drayage (transport from port to warehouse), warehousing, transloading, fulfillment and more. It has a fleet of more than 50 trucks and operates its headquarters and 267,000-square-foot distribution site in Sumner.

In 2015, the company was the first transport provider servicing Tacoma and Seattle’s ports to become fully compliant with updated clean air regulations, according to the release.

“We are quite happy to add a company with the reputation of excellence like Pacific Cascade to our World Group family,” said Fred Hunger, CEO, World Group, in Wednesday’s announcement. “Their core values, commitment to customers, and years of logistics expertise were huge factors throughout our conversations.”

Roulst, Pacific Cascade CEO, said in a statement: “This agreement really made sense for both organizations. World Group’s operating companies have a robust presence across the Southeast, Midwest and East Coast, and their recent significant investments in the Pacific Northwest, including a new distribution facility and an express ocean service, demonstrate a commitment to long-term growth in this region.

“Our leadership teams share a similar vision, and we are excited to see where this journey takes us together.”

Roulst and chief operating officer Frank Wolf will join World Group’s senior leadership team to continue running operations for Pacific Cascade.

The transaction adds to World Group’s strategy to invest in the region. World Distribution Services, part of the World Group family of businesses, recently opened a 303,000-square-foot distribution center in the Frederickson area.

World Group started more than 60 years ago offering vessel agency services on the Great Lakes. It now includes a group of supply-chain logistics providers: ContainerPort Group, UWL, World Distribution Services and World Shipping, Inc.

UWL offers Sun Chief express ocean service in collaboration with Swire Shipping, operating at Port of Seattle.

ContainerPort Group, in its own release, noted the acquisition expands its business reach, giving CPG access to a logistics provider west of the Rockies.

CPG president Joey Palmer said in a statement: “Under the leadership of Frank Wolf, who has been with Pacific Cascade Trucking since its inception, those customers moving freight in and out of the Pacific Northwest will now have access to Pacific Cascade’s long-tenured, dedicated fleet of company drivers, owner operators, and talented operational teams.”

The deal was the second large business acquisition of a local company in as many days. On Tuesday, Rainier Connect, which operates Tacoma’s Click Network, announced its sale to global infrastructure firm Palisade Infrastructure.