Perdue Partners acquires family-owned logistics company

ATLANTA — Perdue Partners has aquired Atlanta-based logistics company Benton Express.



Benton was a family-owned business for 78 years and operated Less-Than-a-Truckload, a carrier that built a strong reputation under the leadership of Herb Matthews Sr. and his son, Chip Matthews. With annual revenues exceeding $50 million, Benton has a leading market position in the Southeast with more than 6,000 points serviced by more than 20 terminals. The company has a diversified base of more than 600 customers and is recognized for its industry-leading customer service operations.



“With the acquisition of Benton, Perdue Partners intends to build on the company’s strong legacy and quality LTL service that is well known throughout the Southeast,” said former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, one of the founders of Perdue Partners. “We will invest energy and infrastructure in Benton to support the logistics needs of current and future customers, and we look forward to being directly involved in the company’s day-to-day operations as we seek to exceed customer expectations.”



Under Perdue Partners’ leadership, Benton will continue existing service offerings and operations supported by more than 500 team members and 300 trucks. Perdue Partners will lend its extensive managerial and logistics experience to build upon the solid foundation for growth the company has built throughout three-quarters of a century.



“We are so pleased to find partners with substantial managerial and logistics experience to continue to build upon the respected Benton Express reputation that our family worked so hard to build over 78 years,” said Benton Express president Chip Matthews, who will continue to serve as a strategic advisor during the management transition period. “We are confident that the new leadership will result in a thriving and successful company that serves our great customers and employs hundreds of hard-working associates.”



“Transportation logistics is a key component in the global supply chain and our investment in Benton is a direct result of our belief that the Southeastern U.S. is strategically well positioned to participate in the rising consumerism around the world,” said Perdue Partners co-founder David Perdue and former CEO of Dollar General, Reebok and Pillowtex.