OmniTRAX Affiliate to Acquire Winchester & Western Railroad

$105 Million purchase unlocks access to 100 million people on east coast

DENVER – A managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc. (OmniTRAX), one of the largest privately held rail-centric transportation and logistics service companies in North America, and an affiliate of The Broe Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the 101 year-old Winchester & Western Railroad (WW) from Covia Holdings Corporation (NYSE:CVIA). The $105 million acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including Surface Transportation Board review. WW operates in Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia and Virginia.

The acquisition expands the OmniTRAX-managed short line portfolio into key new distribution locations in multiple east coast markets, providing OmniTRAX’s customers access to 100 million people within a day’s transit.

By becoming part of the OmniTRAX family, WW gains the support and leadership guidance that will allow it to implement improved operational strategies with the speed and agility that a logistics company can deliver. OmniTRAX’s deployment of Precision Scheduled Short Line Railroading – a unique strategy that uses point-to-point delivery methods to lower operating costs – will strengthen WW’s performance, service, growth and safety.

“OmniTRAX has been growing at an average annual rate of 20+ percent for the past five years and the acquisition of this strategic distribution hub is a deliberate step toward enhancing the continued growth and strength of our thriving network,” said Kevin Shuba, OmniTRAX CEO. “Our expansion into these dynamic markets with a diverse, established customer base and strong regional economic partners offers tremendous growth potential and we have high expectations for economic impact and job production.”