Capstone Partners advised Stewart Transport—a leader in specialized freight logistics—on the sale of its stock to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded in 1995 and based in Phoenix, AZ, Stewart Transport is a specialized regional freight carrier and logistics provider focused on safe transportation of hazardous and non-hazardous liquid, dry-bulk, and refrigerated loads throughout the southwestern United States. The company maintains exclusive relationships with premier customers in the mining, grocery, and construction spaces, such as Freeport-McMoran, Albertsons, Sysco, Empire CAT, and more.
Stewart has operated as a family business for nearly 30 years. With the sale of the company to the ESOP trust, the legacy founder will be appointed chairman of the board while stepping away from day-to-day management and transferring the financial benefits of ownership to Stewart’s employees. To learn more, visit Stewart Transport here.
The decision to transition a business is one of the most important decisions a business owner may encounter. Trusting the advisor that one chooses to navigate that transition is imperative. Capstone continuously earned my trust throughout the process. They provided consistent information, guidance, and expertise from start to finish. I would recommend Capstone to anyone considering or preparing for a transaction.
Jay Powers, Head of Capstone’s ESOP Advisory Group, commented, “Stewart Transport’s sale to an ESOP allows the company to retain its long-standing culture, cultivated by Collin Stewart over many years, while also allowing current and future employees a share in the ongoing growth and performance of the business. Collin is a true entrepreneur – starting the business with one truck in 1995, and growing it to 200+ employees today, developing a stellar reputation as a leader in the regional freight market with deep, contracted customer relationships across the southwest. The sale to an ESOP empowers employees as owners of a premier organization within a vital, growth-oriented market. We’re proud to have advised them in the process and excited to see what the future holds for them.”
The expert investment banking professionals on Capstone Partners’ ESOP Advisory Team have more than 30 years of corporate financial advisory experience guiding clients through the process of creating Employee Stock Ownership Plans. They have deep experience in a variety of industries and practice areas including investment banking, tax, valuation, employee benefits and commercial banking. Our firm has developed a full suite of corporate finance solutions, including M&A advisory, debt advisory, financial advisory, and equity capital financing to help privately owned businesses and private equity firms address any need, ranging from growth and financial or operational advisement to an ultimate exit transaction. To learn more about this transaction, or about the benefits of starting a relationship with our ESOP Advisory Team, contact us here.
