Michigan-based Hoekstra Transportation and The Bus Center Family of Companies (Mid-South Bus Center in Tennessee, Transportation South in Alabama, and The Bus Center – Atlanta in Georgia) are now merged.  

Following Hoekstra’s purchase of an equity interest in The Bus Center Family, the four companies now represent one of the largest and most comprehensive providers of bus and van transportation in the country. The companies offer sales and service for the leading manufacturers in the industry, including Thomas Built Buses and Forest River, and a physical footprint that spans from the Southeast into the upper Midwest.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us, as we look to grow our operations and partnerships,” said Mark Hoekstra, president and CEO of Hoekstra Transportation. “The teams in place at The Bus Center locations are second to none, allowing all operations to remain intact, which made this merger even more attractive. We are thrilled to come together with another family-owned business that shares our principles and for the synergies and scale this brings to all of us.”  

Bucky Law, president of The Bus Center companies said: “While I have no immediate plans to retire, this merger allows me to transition the organization to like-minded owners. The Hoekstra family and the Law family have been friends for many years, share the same values, and consider employees and customers as if they were family. These were important factors in making a succession decision for a business that has been in my family for a half century.”

Highlights:

• Five standalone bus and van service facilities.

• 250 employees.

• $4 million in local parts inventory with $500 million in regional production distribution centers (PDC).

• School bus deliveries of approximately 1,300 units annually.

• Commercial bus and van deliveries of approximately 1,400 units annually.

• Parts sales of approximately $16 million annually.