Investment firm acquires Charleston logistics, warehousing company

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An infrastructure investment firm has acquired a Lowcountry warehousing and logistics company.

NOVA Infrastructure has added A&R Bulk-Pak a South Carolina-based provider of contract packaging, transloading, warehousing and other critical supply chain services for the petrochemical industry, to its lineup.

The strategic investment positions A&R to usher in its next stage of growth and continue to serve leading global chemical providers, a NOVA news release stated.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Over the past decade, the Port of Charleston has been one of the fastest-growing export hubs for the North American chemicals industry, and A&R has grown into a leading provider of critical supply chain solutions during that time,” Allison Kingsley, founder and partner of NOVA Infrastructure, said in the release. “We believe this industry will continue to be a leading exporter into large and high-growth global end markets, and we are excited to support A&R as it expands its service offerings, grows its market footprint and further entrenches its long-term customer relationships.”

Located 26 miles from the Port of Charleston in Moncks Corner, A&R operates a 240,000 square foot warehouse which features two high-speed automated packaging lines, rail access to the CSX main-line, and onsite storage for over 120 railcars, the release stated. The facility primarily focuses on transloading and packaging polyethylene pellets for a blue-chip customer base comprised of chemicals producers and trading houses.

“Ever since Avinoam Ron founded A&R in 1985, we have worked hard to establish a reputation for quality, reliability and safety, which has afforded us the privilege to serve some of the leading global chemicals producers and traders,” said Jason Blinkoff, executive vice president of A&R, said in the release. “Our partnership with NOVA will allow A&R to pursue growth opportunities in support of our customers’ long-term strategic goals.”

In tandem with this acquisition, A&R has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Harbor Logistics, the release stated. Harbor, a portfolio company of NOVA, is a provider of transportation, logistics and warehousing services in Charleston. The agreement aligns Harbor, A&R and NOVA as long-term partners to deliver a broader suite of comprehensive supply chain solutions in North America. The partnership will utilize each company’s resources, operational capabilities, and experience to develop, construct, finance and operate specialized logistics infrastructure across North America.

“I have had the pleasure of working with A&R and Jason for many years when I was at the Port and welcome the opportunity to bring Harbor’s commercial and operational capabilities to this partnership,” Micah Mallace, president of Harbor Logistics and the former chief commercial officer of the South Carolina Ports Authority, said in the release. “The pairing of Harbor’s core competencies with A&R’s chemicals packaging expertise offers our mutual customers an even higher level of service. In addition, Harbor’s dominance as the largest drayage provider in Charleston will afford A&R customers unparalleled cost and service to further strengthen A&R’s offering.”

NOVA and Harbor Logistics were advised on the transaction by Scudder Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. and Jones Day. A&R was advised on the transaction by IMG Business Advisors and legal counsel was provided by Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, P.C. and The Law Office of Joshua F. Laff.