KENILWORTH, NEW JERSEY (November 18, 2004) Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc., announced today the acquisition of approximately 31,000 chassis from XTRA Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. Flexi-Van, an affiliate of Castle & Cooke, Inc., is wholly owned by David H. Murdock.
This fleet, when added to Flexi-Van’s existing fleet of approximately 126,000 chassis, enhances Flexi-Van’s position as the preeminent chassis lessor in North America. The acquisition particularly strengthens Flexi-Van’s position in the domestic and specialized chassis markets, including 53 foot, heavy hauler, tri-axle and tank chassis, as well as in the “neutral chassis pool” market. The combined fleet of over 157,000 chassis is available at over 60 depots and 54 chassis pools located in commercial centers throughout North America.
Flexi-Van augments its traditional leasing and chassis pool leasing business with various value-added services including fleet management, pool administration, equipment tracking and recovery, maintenance and repair "full service" programs, and license and insurance certificate administration. Flexi-Van employs cutting-edge technology and uses proprietary software systems to ensure maximum customer service.
George M. Elkas, President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, "Our expanded chassis fleet, together with the above services, enables Flexi-Van to provide excellent value to our customers. Our highly skilled and trained sales force is very excited about this acquisition. We welcome the XTRA lessees that are new to the Flexi-Van organization. The many XTRA lessees who are existing Flexi-Van customers can be assured of a smooth transition and a continuation of the excellent customer service they have come to know and expect from Flexi-Van. This acquisition again demonstrates Flexi-Van’s on-going commitment to its core chassis leasing business."
Castle & Cooke, Inc. and its affiliated companies operate in over twenty-five states, with diversified businesses that include the ownership and development of real estate, manufacture of brick and ownership of public warehouses, in addition to its chassis and generator set leasing services.