Acquiring new company, adding 100 new jobs

EVANSVILLE, INDIANA (September 24, 2012) – Professional Transportation, Inc., one of the largest providers of ground transportation services in the United States, announced plans today to expand their headquarters at 3700 Morgan Avenue, creating up to 100 new jobs in Evansville over the next three years.  The expansion is a result of the company’s recent acquisition of the Crew Transport division of Coach America, a former competitor.

Professional Transportation, Inc. currently provides rail crew logistical service in all territories east of the Mississippi River. With the acquisition of Coach America, the company will expand current operations by providing additional rail crew services in the Northwest region of the United States serving BNSF Railway, Canadian Pacific Railroad, Utah Railway, Portland and Western Railroad.

“PTI gave careful consideration when evaluating where to expand its transportation services with the Coach acquisition,” according to Steve McClellan, Vice President of Professional Transportation. “Based on the resources of qualified workers and exceptional local universities, Evansville, Indiana was naturally selected as the expansion area of choice.”

An investment of $5.45 million will be made by Professional Transportation, Inc. to lease, equip and expand 10,000 additional square-feet at the current Morgan Avenue location. Professional Transportation Inc. currently employs nearly 230 workers at the Morgan Avenue location and hopes to add a total of 100 new workers in a variety of occupations by 2015. The new occupations include; management, information technology, financial and voucher analysts, operations support, human resources and dispatch coordinators.

The economic impact on the Evansville region from Professional Transportation, Inc’s expansion will total in excess of $127.5 million over the next 10 years.

“The decision by PTI to relocate its new acquisition to Evansville is the result of our economic development team working closely with an existing employer committed to the success of the local economy,” said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. “On behalf of the city, I would like to express appreciation to Ron Romain and his partners for creating 100 new jobs in Evansville, Ind.”

At the request of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville, the City of Evansville offered Professional Transportation, Inc. a 10 year Tax Phase-in on their real and personal property investments totaling approximately $5.45 million.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered up to $675,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $85,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These taxes are performance-based, meaning until Indiana residents are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.

“Employers like PTI put Evansville above most regional communities when it comes to job creation. Our existing businesses continue to be a primary source of new employment opportunities,” said Debbie Dewey, President of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville.

About Professional Transportation, Inc.
As part of United Companies, Inc., Professional Transportation, Inc. (PTI) was founded in 1980 and began its operations, serving as a crew transportation service for Class I railroads in the Midwest. PTI’s focus is on safety, dependability, on time performance and logistical solutions for over-the-road and dedicated yard van services to some of the biggest companies in the railroad industries.

###