Capital Will Continue to Fuel RJW’s Growth and Innovation as the Leading Provider of Middle Mile Retail Logistics

Woodridge, IL – December 3, 2024 – RJW Logistics Group (“RJW” or “the Company”), a leading provider of retail logistics solutions for consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands, today announced it has received a strategic investment from Boston-based private equity firm Berkshire Partners (“Berkshire”).

“This strategic investment from Berkshire will enable us to continue providing industry-leading performance and customer service, drive future innovations, and expand our geographic reach,” said RJW CEO Kevin Williamson. “We believe Berkshire is the ideal partner to support RJW in our next chapter of growth. They are aligned with our culture, goals, and strategy and have substantial resources to support us.”

RJW’s retail logistics solutions help turn supply chain challenges into business growth drivers. The Company’s unique network, deep retailer knowledge, and technology-enabled solutions save cost, improve visibility, and achieve industry-leading On-Time, In-Full (OTIF) performance. This superior solution drives increased in-stock rates and sales, benefiting both CPG brands and their retailer partners. 

With more than 7.3 million square feet of consolidation warehouse space in the transportation hubs of Chicago and Dallas, RJW employs 1,900 people to deliver best-in-class retail logistics solutions. RJW partners with over 850 CPG brands and delivers to more than 180 retailers nationwide.

“Kevin and the entire RJW team have built an exceptional business. We are excited to partner with them to help RJW achieve its ambitious growth aspirations,” said Blake Gottesman, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners.

CEO Kevin Williamson and other members of RJW management will continue to be significant investors in the Company. Private equity firm Mason Wells, which invested in RJW in 2019, will maintain a minority investment in the Company.

“Mason Wells was a great partner for the business over the last five years assisting RJW in its tremendous growth since 2019,” said RJW CEO Kevin Williamson.

“We are pleased to have supported the RJW team as they built an industry-leading company and look forward to continuing as a minority investor in the Company’s exciting next growth phase,” said Kevin Kenealey, Senior Managing Director at Mason Wells.

Harris Williams acted as exclusive financial advisor to RJW. Jefferies acted as exclusive financial advisor to Berkshire Partners.

About RJW

RJW Logistics Group, Inc. is a leading supply chain solutions provider, with a specialized focus on retail consolidation services designed for consumer packaged goods suppliers delivering to national retailers. RJW’s asset-based transportation, logistics, and warehousing provide an attractive value proposition for shippers requiring retail logistics expertise. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.rjwgroup.com.

About Berkshire Partners

Berkshire Partners is a 100% employee-owned, multi-sector specialist investor in private and public equity. The firm’s private equity team invests in well-positioned, growing companies across business services & industrials, consumer, healthcare, and technology & communications. Berkshire recently announced the close of its 11th private equity fund – Fund XI – with approximately $7.8 billion in commitments. Since inception, Berkshire Partners has made more than 150 private equity investments and has a strong history of collaborating with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. The firm's public equity group, Stockbridge, founded in 2007, manages a concentrated portfolio seeking attractive long-term investments. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.

About Mason Wells

Mason Wells is a leading Midwest-based private equity firm that has raised $2.4 billion in aggregate across five independent buyout funds. The firm is currently investing out of Mason Wells Buyout Fund V, a $767 million fund. Since Mason Wells was formed in 1998, its buyout funds have invested in four specific industry sectors: Consumer Packaged Goods, Outsourced Business Services, Engineered Products & Services, and Packaging Materials & Converting. For more information related to Mason Wells, please visit the firm’s website at www.masonwells.com.

Media Contacts

RJW Logistics
Leigh Baker
leigh.baker@rjwgroup.com

Berkshire Partners
Greg Winter
gwinter@berkshirepartners.com

Mason Wells
Kevin Kenealey
kkenealey@masonwells.com

Chris Markgraf
cmarkgraf@masonwells.com