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March 6, 2024  – Hoekstra Transportation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and The Bus Center Family of Companies (Mid-South Bus Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Transportation South, Pelham, Ala.; and The Bus Center – Atlanta, Acworth, Ga.), are pleased to announce their merger.  

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 Bus 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 likeminded 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:

• 5 stand-alone bus and van service facilities
• 250 employees
• $4M in local parts inventory with $500M 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 $16M annually

About The Bus Center Family of Companies:
The Bus Center Family of Companies, which include Transportation South (Pelham, Ala.), Mid-South Bus Center, Inc. (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and The Bus Center – Atlanta (Acworth, Ga.) offer an exceptional selection  of new and used buses and vans for public transportation, schools, churches, retirement communities, daycares, hotels, and more. The companies offer post-sales support and service that is unmatched in the bus business. For more information, visit www.thebuscenter.com.

About Hoekstra Transportation:
Founded in 1928, family-owned and operated Hoekstra Transportation is part of the “Hoekstra”​ family of companies. Hoekstra Companies includes Hoekstra Transportation, dealership for Thomas Built school buses, Forest River Bus, commercial shuttle buses, and mobility vehicles;  Mercedes Benz Van Center of Grand Rapids, Michigan’s largest sales and service dealership for Sprinter Vans; and Hoekstra Equipment, dealership and outfitter of work-ready vehicles, snow and ice removal equipment, and commercial lawn and landscape products. For more information, visit hoekstratransportation.com.

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