CHICAGO, February 13, 2018 - Mesirow Financial acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Fore Transportation, Inc. (“Fore Transportation” or the “Company”) on its sale to Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (“Universal”).

Headquartered in Harvey, IL, Fore Transportation offers a full suite of intermodal logistics solutions including local and regional drayage services, yard services, chassis rental and repair and maintenance. Fore Transportation employs 77 owner-operators, 74 company drivers and reported operating revenues of approximately $32.3 million for the year-end December 31, 2017.

James Apa, president and CEO of Fore Transportation, commented, “We are excited to be partnering with Universal and look forward to their support of our growth objectives. Mesirow Financial’s expert guidance, experience within the logistics sector and dedicated service from start to finish resulted in a successful outcome for all parties involved.”

Rocky Pontikes, managing director of Mesirow Financial’s Investment Banking group, added, “We were honored to represent the shareholders of Fore Transportation in this process. We are confident that Fore Transportation will thrive under Universal’s leadership and capital resources.”

The transaction represents another successful assignment within the distribution and supply chain sector completed by Mesirow Financial’s Investment Banking group. With extensive sector-specific expertise and deep long-standing relationships, Mesirow Financial’s team has a proven track record of completing successful transactions.

About Fore Transportation, Inc.
Fore Transportation, Inc. is a full-service transportation company that services the entire Midwest and all the states east of the Mississippi.  The Chicago operations center in Harvey is a 30-acre facility located just north of interstate I-80 and adjacent to the Canadian National Railroad. The Harvey terminal serves as the company's corporate headquarters and provides 24/7 secured trailer/container storage as well as maintenance and reefer fueling service. Fore Transportation is a C-TPAT Compliant, Customs Bonded and Haz-Mat Certified carrier, specializing in Intermodal, dry, overweight, and refrigerated transportation services throughout the Central and Eastern United States. In addition to our carrier services, Fore Transportation operates two secured yards for empty and loaded container storage, maintenance and cross docking. To learn more, please visit foretransportation.com.

About Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.
Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. is a leading asset-light provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions throughout the United States, and in Mexico, Canada and Colombia.  We provide our customers with supply chain solutions that can be scaled to meet their changing demands and volumes.  We offer our customers a broad array of services across their entire supply chain, including truckload, brokerage, intermodal, dedicated and value-added services. To learn more, please visit universallogistics.com.

About Mesirow Financial
Mesirow Financial is an independent, employee-owned firm founded in 1937. As specialists in investment, risk management and advisory services, we are committed to helping our institutional, corporate and individual clients achieve their objectives. Our professionals are inspired by an entrepreneurial desire to develop tailored solutions designed to deliver measurable results. To learn more, please visit mesirow.com.

Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow investment vehicle(s). Mesirow Financial, Inc. is not affiliated with Fore Transportation, Inc., Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. or their affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member FINRA, SIPC.