C.H. Robinson Acquires DeSpir Logistics for Specialized Cargo

H. Robinson, the largest 3PL in North America, has broken a five-year acquisition drought by purchasing DeSpir Logistics, an Illinois-based specialized carrier focused on secure transportation and cargo escort services. 2X multiple), marks the company's strategic pivot toward acquiring niche capabilities that enhance its core brokerage business. This acquisition follows a previously undisclosed purchase of Breaker19, an oilfield logistics specialist, in Q4 2025, indicating a methodical approach to M&A under CEO Dave Bozeman's leadership.

The DeSpir acquisition directly addresses growing demand for premium logistics services in regulated, high-risk segments including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, data centers, aerospace, and high-value retail. H. Robinson positions this deal as a capability expansion rather than a scale play, leveraging its massive operational infrastructure to amplify DeSpir's specialized expertise. The company's CFO, Damon Lee, articulated the acquisition philosophy clearly: target small-to-medium specialized players that fill capability gaps, then apply Robinson's scale to generate outsized returns.

This disciplined, high-bar approach differs markedly from industry consolidation trends driven primarily by volume and cost synergies. For supply chain professionals, this development signals that 3PLs are increasingly competing on service specialization and risk mitigation rather than transportation cost alone. As supply chains become more complex and cargo theft accelerates, the market for defensible, compliance-intensive services is maturing. Organizations shipping mission-critical, high-value, or regulated goods should expect elevated pricing for specialized logistics but gain meaningful operational control and liability reduction.