September 5, 2006 10:25 AM, EDT

FedEx Completes Watkins Purchase; Rebrands as FedEx National LTL

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edEx has completed its acquisition of privately held less-than-truckload company Watkins Motor Lines, the package carrier said Tuesday.

The $780-million deal includes about 14,000 tractors and trailers in addition to more than 140 of Watkins’ service centers, FedEx said in a release.

FedEx will rebrand Watkins Motor Lines as FedEx National LTL and Watkins Canada Express as FedEx Freight Canada.

The rebranded operations will function as separate networks within the parcel giant’s FedEx Freight segment.

"As integration moves forward, FedEx National LTL will strengthen its focus on providing core long-haul services, while FedEx Freight Canada begins identifying service enhancement opportunities,” said Douglas Duncan, president of FedEx Freight.

The companies announced the acquisition in May. (Click here for previous coverage.)

FedEx is ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in the United States and Canada.