Air Van, Inc.’s 3PL acquisition integration of Imeson Distribution Center, Inc. is now a model for regional operators. Air Van is a Jacksonville-based distribution and fulfillment 3PL and a member of the AWI Network. Its services go beyond warehousing: asset-based trucking, in-house brokerage, final mile delivery, and a US Customs bond. The deal tripled Air Van’s payroll overnight. It also added a client base built on steel, lumber, and paper products, plus rail-siding it had never offered before.

 

The Challenge: Integrating Two Companies Without Losing a Single Client

IDC brought large facilities and a deep client book. Air Van brought trucking assets, brokerage, and final mile reach. The two fit well on paper. But making it work in practice was a different challenge entirely.

Air Van had no warehouse management system before the deal. IDC associates needed to know their jobs were safe. Air Van’s team needed to know this was about growth, not cuts. Every client needed a direct call from leadership. And none of that could wait.

Regional operators have been growing through acquisition at a steady rate. A December 2025 report from Capstone Partners found that buyers now target deals that add service depth and range. For operators thinking about a similar move, Air Van and IDC show what 3PL acquisition integration looks like at the ground level.

 

“You can integrate systems and transfer clients, but culture is a longer commitment. We knew that going in, and we built our entire integration plan around it.”
— Mike Bresee, Director of Client Development, Air Van, Inc.

 

The Solution: A Parallel Track Approach to 3PL Acquisition Integration

Air Van did not work through the integration in stages. Instead, the team handled people, systems, operations, and finances all at once from day one.

On the people side, leadership met one on one with every associate from both companies. IDC associates learned what Air Van valued and what to expect. Air Van associates learned the deal was about growth, not reduction. That personal communication came first. Everything else followed from there.

On the systems side, the team quickly trained operators and service reps on IDC’s WMS. They also started reviewing long-term tech needs from day one. New email systems, security setups, and equipment upgrades followed soon after. As FreightWaves reported in December 2025, logistics operators growing through deals now put technology on the same level as people. Air Van took the same approach.

Operations got attention through an intern program. Interns studied every inherited client using time studies and SOP reviews. From there, that work led to layout changes, racking shifts, and better floor patterns. It also set shared service standards across both teams.

Revenue work came next. Drayage, trucking, and brokerage that IDC had sent to outside vendors moved under the Air Van banner. So new volume came in right away. Every client also got a personal call from the retained IDC sales manager and Air Van’s CEO. A new sales process put in place in early 2026 now keeps the team on track at every step.

 

Capabilities Added Through the Acquisition:

• Rail-Siding Access: A service Air Van could not offer before, now part of its network through IDC’s facilities
• Heavy Industry Warehousing: Storage and handling for steel, lumber, and paper products at scale
• Consolidated Trucking: IDC’s external drayage and trucking volume moved under Air Van’s fleet
• In-House Brokerage Growth: External brokerage volume brought in-house, raising revenue per job
• Extended Services: Air Van’s final mile delivery and US Customs bond extended to all clients

 

 

The Results: Zero Clients Lost, Growth Across Every Track

Eighteen months in, the results were clear across every part of the business.

• Client Retention: No clients were lost. The added volume also helped Air Van spot clients who needed rate changes or were no longer a good fit.
• Employee Retention: Voluntary turnover stayed in the low single digits for both hourly and salaried staff. Hiring also got easier as Air Van’s name grew in the Jacksonville market.
• Revenue Growth: Synergies across trucking, brokerage, and final mile drove strong gross revenue gains for the combined business.
• Technology Upgrade: Running the inherited WMS through the deal led to a smarter vendor review. A new WMS is now in place and already delivering better reports.
• Fleet and Brokerage Growth: Higher revenues paid for fleet additions and a larger brokerage team.
• Operational Culture: Daily, weekly, and monthly meetings are now part of the routine. Sessions run shorter because goals are set and input stays on topic. Mid-level leaders know their numbers and have a clear path to raise issues with senior staff.

The leadership team credits one choice: every part of the integration received the same level of care as the deal itself.

 

Why It Matters: What Successful 3PL Acquisition Integration Actually Requires

People tend to judge acquisitions on dollars. Assets acquired. Revenue added. Clients inherited. But the harder question is how you hold it all together during the deal. Air Van’s answer was to treat every part of the business with the same focus at the same time.

People are also where integrations tend to break down first. Associates on both sides show up with real questions. If those questions go unanswered, the problems show up later in turnover and lost clients. Air Van met with every associate one on one. That was not a rule from a manual. It was a clear call. Culture does not build itself during 3PL acquisition integration. Air Van built it one conversation at a time.

For manufacturers choosing a 3PL, this story also sends a clear signal. A provider that has merged with another company has already shown it can handle hard problems. In fact, that kind of depth often makes for a stronger long-term partner. It is the difference between a provider who has faced real pressure and one who has not yet been tested.

 

Contact AWI for Expert Guidance

Air Van’s 3PL acquisition integration of IDC shows what growth through a deal can look like when it is done with care. It also shows the kind of depth that matters when you choose a long-term fulfillment partner. If you are a manufacturer looking for distribution and fulfillment partners in Jacksonville or across North America, reach out to Associated Warehouses to start the conversation. We connect manufacturers with vetted 3PL partners who have the depth and the culture to grow with your business. The service is free for manufacturers.