FreightSaver joins Echo as 3PL market accelerates consolidation
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Echo Global Logistics has acquired FreightSaver, a Texas-based freight brokerage firm, further deepening its position in the highly competitive third-party logistics market. The move adds regional strength and customer scale to Echo’s operations, while signaling continued consolidation within the sector as transportation companies seek scale and strategic coverage.
The acquisition was confirmed in early August. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Echo CEO Doug Waggoner emphasized the cultural and strategic alignment between the two businesses.
Echo doubles down on managed transportation
Echo has spent the past decade evolving from a brokerage-heavy logistics business into a tech-enabled managed transportation provider. The acquisition of FreightSaver plays directly into that transformation. FreightSaver brings with it a loyal mid-market customer base, deep experience in both full truckload and less-than-truckload shipping, and a regional network well-embedded in the South and Midwest.
For Echo, which already operates on a national scale, the value lies in FreightSaver’s complementary footprint and the ability to scale managed transportation services in new regions. Managed transportation has been one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry, appealing to shippers looking to outsource logistics functions in order to cut costs and improve efficiency.
Echo’s team has indicated that FreightSaver’s client relationships and team of logistics professionals will remain intact post-acquisition. While integration will take place behind the scenes, both companies have signaled a priority on continuity for existing customers and employees.
FreightSaver adds operational strength and regional focus
Founded in Flower Mound, Texas, FreightSaver has carved out a niche as a regional powerhouse with national capabilities. The company offers full-service brokerage for LTL, FTL, and intermodal freight, with a reputation for hands-on service and customer loyalty.
FreightSaver’s leadership has cited Echo’s technology infrastructure and long-term vision as key factors in the decision to join. With access to Echo’s proprietary transportation management platform and broader carrier network, FreightSaver customers are expected to see enhanced capabilities without a major shift in service model.
As larger logistics providers compete to offer end-to-end services, midsize brokerages like FreightSaver have become attractive acquisition targets. Their local expertise, operational discipline, and direct customer relationships present an ideal fit for larger players seeking both growth and retention.
Sector-wide consolidation shows no signs of slowing
Echo’s acquisition of FreightSaver is part of a broader wave of consolidation sweeping through the third-party logistics landscape. Companies are acquiring to gain scale, expand service offerings, and respond to rising demands for visibility and automation.
The freight market remains fragmented, and consolidation offers a pathway to operational efficiency, especially for providers looking to leverage technology. In the past two years, several major logistics companies have announced acquisitions aimed at streamlining their portfolios and strengthening managed transportation capabilities.
Technology continues to be a central differentiator. Echo, like many of its peers, is investing heavily in proprietary platforms, data analytics, and automation. Integrating FreightSaver into this framework aligns with Echo’s broader strategy to deliver tech-driven solutions at scale.
While some logistics firms have opted for internal investment, acquisitions like this one allow for faster access to new talent, tools, and customer segments. For Echo, it represents a natural evolution as the company positions itself for long-term growth in a sector under increasing pressure to modernize.
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