NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NOVA Infrastructure (“NOVA”), a middle-market infrastructure investment firm, today announced the acquisition of A&R Bulk-Pak (“A&R”), a South Carolina-based provider of contract packaging, transloading, warehousing, and other critical supply chain services for the petrochemical industry. This strategic investment positions A&R to usher in its next stage of growth and continue to serve leading global chemical providers.
“Over the past decade, the Port of Charleston has been one of the fastest-growing export hubs for the North American chemicals industry, and A&R has grown into a leading provider of critical supply chain solutions during that time,” commented Allison Kingsley, Founder and Partner of NOVA Infrastructure. “We believe this industry will continue to be a leading exporter into large and high-growth global end markets, and we are excited to support A&R as it expands its service offerings, grows its market footprint and further entrenches its long-term customer relationships.”
Located 26 miles from the Port of Charleston in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, A&R operates a 240,000 square foot warehouse which features two high-speed automated packaging lines, rail access to the CSX main-line, and onsite storage for over 120 railcars. The facility primarily focuses on transloading and packaging polyethylene pellets for a blue-chip customer base comprised of chemicals producers and trading houses.
“Ever since Avinoam Ron founded A&R in 1985, we have worked hard to establish a reputation for quality, reliability and safety, which has afforded us the privilege to serve some of the leading global chemicals producers and traders,” said Jason Blinkoff, Executive Vice President of A&R. “Our partnership with NOVA will allow A&R to pursue growth opportunities in support of our customers’ long-term strategic goals.”
In tandem with this acquisition, A&R has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Harbor Logistics ("Harbor"). Harbor, a portfolio company of NOVA, is a leading provider of transportation, logistics and warehousing services in Charleston, South Carolina. The agreement aligns Harbor, A&R and NOVA as long-term partners to deliver a broader suite of comprehensive supply chain solutions in North America. The partnership will utilize each company’s resources, operational capabilities, and experience to develop, construct, finance and operate specialized logistics infrastructure across North America.
Micah Mallace, President of Harbor Logistics and the former Chief Commercial Officer of the South Carolina Ports Authority shared, “I have had the pleasure of working with A&R and Jason for many years when I was at the Port and welcome the opportunity to bring Harbor’s commercial and operational capabilities to this partnership. The pairing of Harbor’s core competencies with A&R’s chemicals packaging expertise offers our mutual customers an even higher level of service. In addition, Harbor’s dominance as the largest drayage provider in Charleston will afford A&R customers unparalleled cost and service to further strengthen A&R’s offering.”
NOVA and Harbor Logistics were advised on the transaction by Scudder Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. and Jones Day. A&R was advised on the transaction by IMG Business Advisors and legal counsel was provided by Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, P.C. and The Law Office of Joshua F. Laff.
About NOVA Infrastructure
Founded in 2018, NOVA Infrastructure (http://www.novainfra.com) is a value-added, middle market infrastructure investment firm focused on North America. NOVA seeks to make investments which pair the downside protection features of the infrastructure asset class with operationally focused, value-added upside strategies. NOVA targets investments in environmental services, transportation, energy / energy transition, and communication sectors, with a current portfolio of seven platform investments including: a vertically integrated waste management platform; a US Flag maritime logistics business; a fixed base operator (FBO) platform; a port-centric storage and logistics platform; a fiber-to-the-home business; a fixed wireless business; and a renewable and liquefied natural gas production and distribution platform.
About Harbor Logistics
Founded by NOVA Infrastructure and based in Charleston, South Carolina, Harbor Logistics (http://www.harborlogistics.com) is a diversified logistics company. Currently, Harbor provides transportation, truck/rail transload, warehousing, and brokerage services in Charleston to diverse industrial and commercial counterparties. As the largest drayage provider and one of the largest warehouse providers in Charleston, Harbor offers supply chain capacity via an asset-based model that provides a tailored customer experience. Growth-focused, the Harbor team is dedicated to ethical decision making, working with like-minded partners, and exceeding expectations.
About A&R Bulk-Pak
Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, A&R Bulk-Pak SC LLC is a leading contract packaging, warehousing, and supply chain logistics company serving highly reputable petrochemical production and trading companies throughout North America. Offering professional packaging and distribution of polyethylene pellets for the petrochemical industry, A&R prides itself on its unwavering attention to detail, attentiveness to safety and reliability, and personalized engagements. The company was the first pellet packaging facility in North America to implement sustainability collection procedures for all packaging consumables, floor sweeps, and purge material.
