Argosy Private Equity has made a new platform investment in K&L Freight Management, an asset-light third‑party logistics provider focused on time‑sensitive, mission‑critical freight services. The deal supports K&L’s growth strategy across resilient, non‑discretionary end markets, including food and beverage, life sciences, energy, and other industrial sectors.
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in St. Charles, Illinois, K&L offers expedited ground and air freight, temperature‑controlled logistics, time‑sensitive flatbed services, and cross‑border solutions. The company operates with a lean organization and relies on a curated network of highly vetted carriers that meet stringent standards for urgency, responsiveness, and safety.
K&L has already completed two recent acquisitions to broaden its service offering and expand its customer base, and its senior management team is remaining with the company and investing alongside Argosy in the transaction. Argosy plans to help the team scale the platform while maintaining K&L’s emphasis on tailored service that combines high‑touch customer engagement with technology‑enabled operations.
The investment fits Argosy’s strategy of partnering with founder‑ and family‑owned businesses in manufacturing, business services, and logistics and helping them professionalize and grow. Over more than 25 years, Argosy has invested in more than 140 companies in the lower middle market and is now positioning K&L for its next phase of expansion.
KEY QUOTES:
“Since founding K&L in 1997, we have strived to build a company that continues to earn our customers’ trust with every shipment. In Argosy, we believe we have found a partner who values that culture and the relationships behind it, and I’m confident they and our team will carry it forward.”
Russell Gallemore, Founder, K&L Freight
“We are excited to partner with the K&L Freight team. The Company has built a differentiated service-oriented platform that provides specialized logistics solutions to its customer base. We are looking forward to working with the senior team to help drive the next phase of K&L’s growth.”
Seth Wilson, Partner, Argosy Private Equity