NOVA Infrastructure Acquires ATS for Harbor Logistics

ATS Logistics joins expanding NOVA logistics portfolio company

NOVA Infrastructure (“NOVA”), a middle-market infrastructure investment firm, announced that Harbor Logistics, LLC (“Harbor”), one of NOVA’s existing portfolio companies, has acquired ATS Logistics, Inc. (“ATS”), a leading provider of transportation and warehousing services in Charleston. ATS will operate as part of the growing Harbor Logistics platform, which made its first investment in the Charleston transportation and logistics sector in 2021 and is now the market leader in warehouse and drayage capabilities in the Charleston market.

“ATS is an essential component of the Port of Charleston’s supply chain and import/export activity,” commented Allison Kingsley, Founder and Partner of NOVA Infrastructure. “Combining the talented ATS team with Harbor Logistics brings additional operating expertise and complementary customer relationships to a strategically located port market with structural tailwinds.”

Headquartered in Charleston, ATS is the largest drayage provider by volume for the Port of Charleston and has one of the largest asset-based fleets at the Port, as well as a strategically located warehouse that includes the only Centralized Examination Station for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Charleston.

Micah Mallace, President of Harbor Logistics and the former Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Charleston shared, “ATS embodies the asset-based capacity and a customer-focused approach that the industry needs. Harbor Logistics looks forward to partnering with the existing ATS management team to deliver these capabilities and continue the company’s and the Port’s strong growth.”

During Mallace’s tenure, the Port of Charleston was the fastest growing major port in the US, in part due to his work attracting billions of dollars of new manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, and supporting infrastructure. Strong leadership combined with economic growth in the Southeast and ongoing strategic investment has made the Port the eighth busiest US container port based on import and export volumes and the deepest port on the East Coast.

“My brothers and I started ATS in 1986 and our dedicated team has worked hard to build and grow ATS over the last 36 years,” said ATS co-founder Jimmie Gianoukos. “We are excited for our existing team to collaborate with NOVA and its Charleston-based Harbor Logistics business for this next phase of the company’s growth.” ATS’ Gianoukos will serve on the Harbor Logistics Board of Directors and as Chairman-elect of the South Carolina Trucking Association.

Harbor Logistics also owns Premier Logistics, one of the largest warehousing, storage, and transportation 3PLs in Charleston with truck and rail service.

NOVA was advised on the ATS transaction by Scudder Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. and Jones Day.

In July 2022, NOVA announced the close of its $565 million infrastructure Fund I, which attracted commitments from a diverse group of leading North American and global institutional investors including public and private pension funds, insurance companies, family offices and asset managers.

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