Manheim has purchased Ready Auto Transport, the auction company told Auto Remarketing. 

Sharing more details on the deal that closed Friday, Manheim said it will operate the transport company as a fully independent business, with  Ready Auto Transport president Mark Jensen staying on in the role of group vice president of Ready Auto Transport

The transportation provider’s management team will stay intact, as well, and the company will keep its Mesa, Ariz., headquarters.  

As part of the deal, Manheim purchases 1Dispatch.com, as well. This solution is a self-managed transport platform designed to help shippers and carriers throughout the U.S. connect, officials said.

“For increased efficiency, vehicle information from OVE.com and Simulcast Everywhere purchases is immediately available to transporters via 1Dispatch.com, which makes it easier for customers to ship inventory using a provider of their preference,” Manheim noted in a statement.

The company stressed that this deal “strategically expands the Manheim marketplace into the transportation arena.” Its customers can now buy, manage, sell and transport their inventory all in one place.

Janet Barnard, Manheim executive vice president and chief operating officer, said: “Combining Ready Auto Transport’s full and self-managed transport options with Manheim’s extensive used-car marketplace creates an unrivaled, end-to-end solution for customers to manage their vehicle inventory needs.

“Ready Auto Transport has been a longtime partner of Manheim, and this acquisition, led by senior vice president of product development, Joe George, is a natural extension of our business,” she continued.

Jensen will report to George in his new role as group vice president of Ready Auto Transport. Meanwhile, Manheim vice president of business development Mike McNamara will serve as Manheim’s liaison to Ready Auto Transport, where he will manage day-to-day activities.

“We are thrilled to join the Manheim team,” said Jensen. “Manheim’s 106 operating locations and strong digital presence combined with our transportation industry leadership allow us to offer customers a robust, comprehensive solution that gives them even more options to manage their vehicle inventory across in-lane and digital channels.”

One of the many benefits to this deal, Manheim’s George told Auto Remarketing, is that it can help make the transportation process for efficient for all parties involved.

Sharing more, he emphasized how Ready Auto Transport can provide both full-service and self-managed solutions.

“It’s about our last mile. This gives them a full spectrum of options to get the vehicle moved back to their dealership,” George said.