Quebec's TFI to acquire UPS trucking division

United Parcel Service Inc. agreed to sell its short-haul trucking business for US$800 million to Quebec-based TFI International Inc., the first substantial move in the “better-not-bigger” strategy that Carol Tome developed since taking over as chief executive in June.

Saint-laurent, Que.-based TFI will acquire the unit, one of the largest less-than-truckload carriers in the U.S., UPS said in a statement Monday. The operation is primarily a business-to-business enterprise hauling large industrial cargo in big trucks.

Tome's plan to get lean is a change from 2005, when UPS paid about US$1.25 billion for the trucking unit in an effort to become a onestop shop for transportation services. She has pledged to increase return on capital investment by focusing on the core parcel business, brand and culture while maintaining UPS'S dividend and investment-grade credit rating.

Everything else is under review, Tome said in July.

TFI expects the acquisition will add to earnings this year and will increase profit as the company improves efficiency. “This is the most strategic acquisition that TFI has ever done,” CEO Alain Bedard said on a conference call with analysts.

Its stock surged 32.25 per cent to close at $86.08 in Toronto. TFI had advanced 45 per cent in the 12 months through Jan. 22. UPS rose 1.5 per cent to US$161.40 in New York on Monday.

Monday's “agreement allows UPS to be even more laser-focused on the core parts of our business that drive the greatest value for our customers,” Tome said in the statement. The Atlanta-based company will take a Us$500-million charge related to the sale, which is expected to close in the second quarter.

The unit had sales of about US$3.1 billion and 14,500 workers last year, according to a UPS presentation. It operated 6,340 tractors and 23,400 trailers in 197 facilities.

The business, whose customers include Best Buy Co., Honda Motor Co. and Home Depot Inc., has a “roughly break-even” operating margin, according to TFI. The unit moved cargo at below market rates and was a loss leader for UPS so the courier could offer a bundle of services to customers, Bedard said.

Bedard plans to reduce costs by purchasing new vehicles that are more efficient and by streamlining cross-border freight between the U.S. and Canada, among other things.