By Eva Richardson | Published on April 4, 2025
In a strategic move that signals its continued expansion across the U.S. auto-hauling landscape, Proficient Auto Logistics has officially acquired Brothers Auto Transport, a long-established carrier based in Pennsylvania. The acquisition boosts Proficient’s transport capacity by 13% and strengthens its presence in the Northeastern United States, a region critical to the nation’s automotive distribution network.
The acquisition, announced earlier this week, adds approximately 110 vehicle transporters to Proficient’s fleet, along with a solid network of terminals spanning Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia. This expansion follows a year of aggressive growth for the Jacksonville, Florida-based logistics firm, which went public in 2024 after consolidating five regional auto haulers into one unified brand.
Regional Growth with Strategic Synergy
“The operational and geographic synergies between our companies will allow us to provide a higher level of service to our customers while elevating our presence in the Northeast,” said Richard O’Dell, CEO of Proficient Auto Logistics. “Brothers Auto Transport brings decades of experience and deep regional expertise that will immediately enhance our operations.”
Founded in 1996, Brothers Auto Transport has earned a reputation for reliability and long-standing OEM partnerships. Its integration into Proficient’s network is expected to streamline routing, improve delivery timelines, and expand capacity for key clients.
Capitalizing on Market Shifts
The timing of the deal is especially notable given the recent closure of Jack Cooper Transport Co., once one of the nation’s largest vehicle carriers. Jack Cooper’s exit from the market—prompted by the loss of major contracts with Ford and General Motors—has left a gap in service capacity and opened the door for competitors to step in.
For Proficient, this presents a rare opportunity to absorb market share and establish itself as a leader in the auto-haul space at a national level.
“This is a consolidation moment,” said Mia Thornton, a transportation analyst with Midstream Insights. “Proficient is positioning itself to be a tier-one logistics partner for OEMs looking for stability and scale in the post-Jack Cooper era.”
Financial Performance and Forward Outlook
Although Proficient Auto Logistics reported a small net loss in 2024—largely attributed to acquisition-related expenses—the company still posted a robust adjusted EBITDA of $40.7 million, underlining its financial resilience and operational momentum.
With Brothers Auto Transport now in the fold, analysts anticipate margin improvements driven by route optimization, fleet utilization, and shared infrastructure. Additionally, the acquisition may improve Proficient’s leverage in negotiating new OEM and dealership contracts across the Eastern Seaboard.
The Bigger Picture: Scaling Auto Logistics
Proficient’s growth strategy mirrors broader trends across the logistics industry: consolidation, regional expansion, and the adoption of integrated service models to meet the needs of increasingly complex automotive supply chains.
As electric vehicle (EV) production ramps up, and OEMs demand more reliable end-to-end logistics partners, companies like Proficient are adapting by building scale, agility, and operational intelligence.
“Whether it’s ICE or EV, cars still need to be moved,” said Thornton. “And the companies that can do it reliably, flexibly, and at scale will shape the next decade of auto logistics.”
With the Brothers Auto Transport acquisition finalized, Proficient is making it clear that it plans to be one of those companies.
