Freightliner acquires stake in TravelCenters of America

PORTLAND, Ore. (March 2) — Freightliner Corp. plans to acquire an ownership stake in TravelCenters of America (TA), a national network of full-service travel centres in the United States, and use 124 TA locations to perform minor repairs, express maintenance, and selected warranty work.

Terms of the ownership agreement were not disclosed.

Freightliner president and CEO Jim Hebe said TA’s service centres would augment Freightliner’s existing network of 300 dealers, most of which operate their own repair facilities.

The TA centres would be given access to Freightliner parts distribution, service, and technical information systems, and focus on PMs, brake, electrical, heating and air conditioning, DOT inspections, trailer repairs, and other minor or routine maintenance.

Last week, TA announced plans to acquire truck-stop operator Travel Ports of America for $40.5 million US. Travel Ports has a network of 16 travel centres located primarily in the U.S. Northeast. Last year, TA acquired Burns Bros. Travel Stops, which included 17 Burns Bros. facilities located primarily in the Western and Northwestern U.S.

If approved, the moves would raise TA’s total travel centre network to more than 160 locations.