MANSFIELD, Texas — In a strategic move designed to capitalize on booming nearshoring trends and escalating trade volumes, third-party logistics (3PL) provider TA Services has announced the acquisition of two prominent Texas-based trucking and logistics companies: Carmen Pacheco Transportation LLC (CPT) and Interload Forwarding LLC (ILF).
The transaction significantly reinforces TA Services’ physical presence along the U.S.-Mexico border. By absorbing the operations of CPT and ILF, Mansfield-based TA Services—the non-asset flagship division of transportation giant PS Logistics—has integrated more than 130 commercial trucks and an expansive 550,000 square feet of warehousing into its rapidly expanding cross-border network.
While financial terms of the private transaction were not publicly disclosed, the deal marks a milestone in TA Services’ long-term growth strategy. It strategically positions the company within El Paso and Laredo, Texas, two of the nation’s most vital and high-traffic gateways for freight moving between the United States and Mexico. The assets acquired in the transaction include a robust fleet of commercial motor vehicles, five strategically positioned warehouses, and a dedicated 10-acre truck yard to facilitate seamless cross-docking and trailer interchange.
Main Facts: The Anatomy of the Deal
The dual acquisition of Carmen Pacheco Transportation and Interload Forwarding represents a calculated expansion into hard assets by a primarily non-asset-based logistics provider. Key components of the transaction include:
- Fleet and Personnel Integration: According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) records, CPT and ILF operate a combined total of 133 power units and employ 123 professional drivers.
- Real Estate Footprint: The deal incorporates 550,000 square feet of warehousing space distributed across critical border zones, alongside a vital 10-acre industrial truck yard designed to alleviate bottlenecks in cross-border operations.
- Geographic Focus: Operations are heavily concentrated in El Paso and Laredo, Texas—epicenters of bilateral trade that have experienced explosive industrial growth driven by manufacturers relocating supply chains from overseas to North America.
- Service Offerings: The newly acquired entities bring a diverse suite of logistics capabilities to the TA Services portfolio, including local and long-haul trucking, warehousing, cross-docking, freight consolidation, deconsolidation, freight brokerage, and customs-related services.
Chronology: From Family Enterprise to Corporate Integration
The foundations of CPT and ILF trace back to a multi-generational family enterprise initiated by Richard Ibarra Sr. Over decades of operation, the Ibarra family cultivated deep-rooted relationships within the Texas-Mexico logistics corridor, establishing a reputation for reliability, localized expertise, and stringent safety standards.
As nearshoring accelerated demand for integrated warehousing and transportation solutions along the border, CPT and ILF became critical cogs in regional supply chains. In 2024 alone, CPT logged nearly 8.3 million miles traveling under active interstate operating authority, hauling diverse commodities including general freight, dry bulk, beverages, and paper products. Concurrently, ILF—operating out of the same El Paso industrial complex—accumulated approximately 1.6 million miles of service, specializing in general freight, beverages, paper products, and electronics.
Recognizing the need for a broader technological and financial infrastructure to scale operations amidst surging industrial demand, the Ibarra family engaged in acquisition talks with TA Services. The negotiations culminated in a definitive agreement announced this week. Importantly, unlike many private equity roll-ups that erase the legacy of acquired businesses, members of the Ibarra family and the operational staff of both CPT and ILF will remain closely involved in the day-to-day management, ensuring continuity of service and preserving institutional knowledge.
Supporting Data: Operational Metrics of CPT and ILF
A deeper dive into FMCSA safety and operational databases highlights the robust nature of the acquired carriers:
Carmen Pacheco Transportation LLC (CPT)
- Headquarters: El Paso, Texas
- Power Units: 61
- Drivers: 57
- 2024 Mileage: ~8.3 million miles
- Operating Authority: Active interstate for-hire property carrier
- Primary Commodities: General freight, dry bulk commodities, beverages, and paper products.
Interload Forwarding LLC (ILF)
- Headquarters: El Paso, Texas (sharing an industrial complex with CPT)
- Power Units: 72
- Drivers: 66
- 2024 Mileage: ~1.6 million miles
- Operating Authority: Active interstate for-hire property carrier
- Primary Commodities: General freight, beverages, paper products, and sensitive electronics.
When combined under the TA Services umbrella, these metrics represent an immediate and substantial infusion of reliable capacity—a precious commodity in the volatile cross-border freight market.
Official Responses and Executive Perspectives
Leadership from both acquiring and acquired entities have emphasized the synergistic nature of the transaction, framing it as a win-win for customers, employees, and the broader North American supply chain.
TA Services CEO Scott Schell pointed out that the complexities of international trade require absolute control over every leg of the journey.
"Cross-border performance depends on what happens on both sides of the border and at every handoff in between," Schell stated in an official release. "Bringing our teams together gives us a stronger foundation to serve manufacturers and other shippers moving freight through the U.S.–Mexico corridor. As the industrial economy continues to expand in 2026 and over the years to come, we are setting ourselves up to be a key partner to support this growth."
Richard Ibarra, speaking on behalf of the founding family, expressed enthusiasm for the transition and the expanded horizons it offers to both clients and personnel.
"We built these companies by knowing our customers, keeping our word, and taking care of the freight entrusted to us," Ibarra said. "We are excited to partner with TA. This gives our customers access to more markets and services, and it gives our employees a place to work and grow under a strong brand that shares our commitment to service."
Furthermore, TA Services leadership has consistently voiced long-term bullishness regarding Mexico’s manufacturing sector. Speaking to industry media earlier, Miguel Perez, TA Services’ senior director of cross-border operations and solutions, underscored that macro-level trade policies and shifting political landscapes would not derail the structural momentum of nearshoring.
"Even with tariffs taking effect, Mexico will still represent a very attractive option," Perez noted, signaling that industrial migration southward is a permanent structural shift rather than a temporary trend.
Industry Implications: Why This Acquisition Matters
The acquisition of CPT and ILF carries significant ramifications for the broader logistics and manufacturing sectors:
1. Hard-Asset Advantage in a Digital World
While many modern 3PLs rely exclusively on asset-light brokerage models, owning physical trucks and warehouses along the border grants TA Services unmatched agility. During periods of tight capacity or border congestion, having dedicated power units and secure yard space in El Paso and Laredo ensures that TA Services can guarantee service levels that pure brokers might struggle to maintain.
2. Doubling Down on the Nearshoring Boom
Despite varying economic forecasts and potential shifts in international trade policy, corporate supply chains continue to migrate away from distant Asian manufacturing hubs in favor of North American proximity. Mexico has emerged as the primary beneficiary of this trend. By securing 550,000 square feet of strategic warehousing space right at the border, TA Services is positioning itself as a primary gateway handler for goods flowing northward into the United States.
3. Comprehensive End-to-End Solutions
Shippers moving goods across the border frequently suffer from fragmented supply chains where different providers handle drayage, customs clearance, long-haul trucking, and warehousing. By integrating CPT and ILF, TA Services eliminates these handoff points, offering a unified, single-source solution that minimizes cargo damage, reduces dwell times, and streamlines billing and visibility.
As bilateral trade between the U.S. and Mexico continues to smash historical monthly records—frequently brushing against the $95 billion threshold—investments in physical infrastructure like those made by TA Services will serve as the backbone of North American economic competitiveness. Through this dual acquisition, TA Services has effectively armored its network for the next decade of cross-border commerce.
