Grocery Distributors Merge

Two Southeastern grocery distributors — Gist Logistics of New Orleans and Star Georgia of Atlanta — have joined forces to expand their services in the area.

Gist Logistics offers truckload, less-than-truckload, consolidation and third-party management services. Star Georgia is a third-party provider of pool distribution and LTL consolidation.

he merger will create an extended distribution network out of Atlanta for direct LTL and consolidation throughout the entire Southeast, the companies said.

States served are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Customers that will benefit from more options include manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of grocery warehouse freight, according to the new partners.

The merged company will operate as Gist Logistics.

Chief Executive Officer Gary Gist said the company’s strength is “tackling tough issues such as appointments; overage, shortage and damage issues; and pallet exchange.”

“While others have been running from this type of business, we have embraced it,” he said.

ist Logistics and Star Georgia have combined revenue of $20 million and expect first-year growth of 35%, Mr. Gist said.