Kings County Truck Lines to be sold

TULARE
October 21, 2005 12:41pm

Ruan Transportation Management Systems Inc. is buying one of the Central Valley’s major transporters of milk, Kings County Truck Lines Inc.

The purchase price set between the two privately held companies was not revealed.

"We are excited about the opportunities that this acquisition presents and we look forward to expanding our presence in the Western United States," says John Ruan III, chairman of the Des Moines, Iowa, company bearing his name

Kings County Truck Lines, headquartered in Tulare, is one of the nation's largest regional food grade carriers. The transaction includes Kings County Truck Lines and its affiliates Cal Western Transport Inc., Fluid Transport Inc., California Milk Transport Inc., and MSM Trucking LLC.

Kings County was founded in 1940 by Manual Mancebo, Sr. and primarily hauls milk products in bulk tank, mainly in liquid form, from the producers to processing plants and later processed products to distribution centers and store locations. Kings County operates 12 terminals in California, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho and employs approximately 600 people.

The closing of the transaction is subject to the completion of Ruan's due diligence procedures and the completion of all of the definitive agreements required to document the transaction. It is anticipated that the closing of the transaction will take place prior to the end of the year.