Prime Distribution Services
2019
$225M
Why
Add retail freight consolidation services.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Freight BrokerageFounded 1905- HQ today: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Acquisitions
C.H. Robinson Acquisitions
3
Major Deals Covered
$1.2B
Disclosed Deal Value
What are C.H. Robinson's biggest acquisitions?
C.H. Robinson's largest disclosed acquisition here is Phoenix International Freight Services for $635M in 2012. This page covers 3 major deals from 2012 to 2019, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
- Major deals covered
- 3
- Largest deal
- Phoenix International Freight Services ($635M)
- First deal
- 2012
- Most recent
- 2019
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix International Freight Services | 2012 | $635.0M | Expand ocean and air freight forwarding scale. |
| Freightquote | 2015 | $365.0M | Add an online freight booking platform focused on LTL and small and mid-sized shippers. |
| Prime Distribution Services | 2019 | $225.0M | Add retail freight consolidation services. |
- What companies has C.H. Robinson bought?
- Major acquisitions by C.H. Robinson documented here include Phoenix International Freight Services (2012), Freightquote (2015) and Prime Distribution Services (2019).
- What is C.H. Robinson's most recent acquisition?
- The most recent C.H. Robinson acquisition documented here is Prime Distribution Services, in 2019, for $225M.
Freightquote
2015
$365M
Why
Add an online freight booking platform focused on LTL and small and mid-sized shippers.
Impact
Expanded C.H. Robinson's digital LTL capabilities and reach among smaller shippers.
Outcome
Freightquote was integrated into the Navisphere ecosystem, enhancing the company's ability to offer multi-modal solutions and driving significant growth in the LTL segment.
Phoenix International Freight Services
2012
$635M
Why
Expand ocean and air freight forwarding scale.
Impact
Roughly doubled C.H. Robinson's global forwarding business and formed the core of today's Global Forwarding segment.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.'s Growth & Acquisition Strategy
C.H. Robinson's strategy under Dave Bozeman combines a lean operating model with AI automation. The company uses AI agents to handle routine work such as price quotes, order entry, load tracking, and appointment scheduling, letting fewer people handle more shipments. It is also targeting market-share gains in NAST truckload and LTL, growing higher-margin air and LTL services, and running Global Forwarding for profit rather than volume. Capital is returned through quarterly dividends and share repurchases.
How C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. Makes Money
C.H. Robinson operates an 'asset-light' freight brokerage business model. If a large food company needs to move 500 truckloads of cereal from Chicago to Dallas, they don't call 500 independent truckers. They call C.H. Robinson. C.H. Robinson quotes a price for the entire job. They then use their large 'Navisphere' digital platform and thousands of human brokers to find independent truck drivers willing to take the load for a slightly lower price. The entire multi-billion dollar business is built on pocketing that tiny spread between what the shipper pays and what the trucker earns.
C.H. Robinson Acquisitions FAQ
What was C.H. Robinson's acquisition of Phoenix International in 2012?
In November 2012, C.H. Robinson acquired Chicago-based international freight forwarder Phoenix International Freight Services for $635 million in cash, instantly doubling C.H. Robinson's ocean and air freight forwarding scale.
Why was the acquisition of Prime Distribution Services in 2020 significant?
In 2019, C.H. Robinson acquired Prime Distribution Services for $225 million in cash, adding retail freight consolidation, warehousing, and multi-vendor packaging facilities to strengthen delivery to major mass retailers like Walmart and Target.
What was C.H. Robinson's acquisition of freightquote.com in 2015?
In January 2015, C.H. Robinson acquired Kansas City-based digital freight broker Freightquote.com for $365 million in cash, establishing market dominance in online Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and small business digital freight booking.
What was the acquisition of Dema Services or European logistics brokers?
C.H. Robinson expanded its European surface transportation footprint by acquiring major European freight forwarders and regional 3PLs, including Spain-based The Space Cargo Group (2019) and Milan-based Dema Services (2016).
What was the acquisition of APC Logistics in 2016?
In September 2016, C.H. Robinson acquired Australian freight forwarder and customs brokerage firm APC Logistics for approximately $225 million, creating a dominant logistics footprint across Australia and New Zealand.
What was the acquisition of Transfreight in 2015?
In May 2015, C.H. Robinson acquired 3PL Transfreight North America from Mitsui & Co. for $84 million, expanding specialized lean supply chain and just-in-time logistics services for the North American automotive manufacturing sector.
How does C.H. Robinson fund its strategic corporate acquisitions?
C.H. Robinson funds acquisitions primarily through operating cash flow and its revolving credit facility, maintaining low balance sheet leverage and an investment-grade credit profile.
What is C.H. Robinson's future M&A evaluation strategy?
C.H. Robinson targets acquisitions that expand global ocean and air forwarding trade lanes, strengthen US-Mexico nearshoring cross-border capacity, or add specialized technology to enhance its Navisphere digital platform.
What companies has C.H. Robinson acquired?
To aggressively expand beyond domestic trucking, C.H. Robinson acquired Phoenix International in 2012 for $635 million, instantly making them a massive player in global ocean and air freight forwarding.
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