EDEN PRAIRIE:C.H. Robinson (NASDAQ: CHRW) announced Monday it has acquired DeSpir Logistics, a specialized provider of secure transportation and cargo escort services for mission-critical, high-value freight across North America.
The $75 million cash acquisition, which closed Monday, adds specialized capabilities for industries including healthcare, life sciences, data centers, aerospace and high-value retail, where security, compliance and precise execution are essential.
Demand for such services is accelerating as supply chains grow more complex and cargo theft becomes more sophisticated, the company said.
“With DeSpir, we’re strengthening how we help customers move freight that requires an extra layer of protection,” said Adam McDonough, vice president of committed assets at C.H. Robinson. “This is the kind of cargo where the stakes are incredibly high, like life-saving pharmaceuticals that must stay within strict temperature ranges, or critical data center equipment that is frequently targeted for theft.”
McDonough described the acquisition as integrating a specialized operations team into C.H. Robinson’s large-scale logistics engine to handle complex, high-risk freight with greater control and precision.
The deal expands C.H. Robinson’s network of vetted, security-focused carriers. Drivers undergo individual vetting, maintain required certifications and are subject to ongoing audits, creating a closed-loop network built for maximum control and security, according to the company.
DeSpir also enhances C.H. Robinson’s technology portfolio with advanced security capabilities, including real-time monitoring of temperature fluctuations and detection of potential cargo tampering. The company plans to apply its Lean AI approach to DeSpir’s platform to scale those capabilities.
“We’re taking very specific, nuanced expertise and coupling it with our scale,” said Michael Castagnetto, president of North American Surface Transportation. “By bringing together highly vetted carriers, advanced technology, and logisticians who know high-value freight inside and out — powered by our Lean AI — we’re able to deliver the level of precision, security, and white-glove service these shipments demand.”
DeSpir reported $62 million in total revenue for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025. C.H. Robinson purchased the company for approximately $75 million in cash, financed through cash on hand. The acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive in 2026.
“We’ve been deliberate and disciplined in how we approach M&A,” said Damon Lee, chief financial officer. “Over the past year, we’ve strengthened our operating model, sharpened our focus, and built a more efficient cost structure — putting us in a position to invest with purpose to enhance our value creation.”
John Carr, managing partner at DeSpir Logistics, said joining C.H. Robinson allows the company to extend its expertise to more customers while maintaining the control and precision its customers expect.
The acquisition is C.H. Robinson’s first since acquiring Europe’s Combinex Holding B.V. in June 2021, according to Yahoo Finance .
