Lodestar Energy Group, LLC (“Lodestar Energy Group”), a midstream energy company in industrial project development and supply chain optimization announces that it has acquired through its subsidiary, Lodestar Rail Services LLC (“LRS”), substantially all of the rail assets of Stolt-Nielsen Rail Services as held by Stolt-Nielsen USA Inc. (“Stolt”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen Limited. LRS is a full-service rail logistics management business within the Lodestar Energy Group portfolio of companies. LRS and Stolt’s affiliate Stolthaven Houston Inc. (“Stolthaven”) are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for its existing rail customers and working together on future opportunities related to Stolthaven’s business in the U.S. Gulf.
Commenting on the divestment, Guy Bessant (President, Stolthaven Terminals B.V.) said”As part of our strategy to focus on our core business, a decision was made to divest Stolt-Nielsen Rail Services. The sale to Lodestar ensures that our rail customers will benefit from a company with expertise in the field.”
“With over 125 years of combined experience in the transportation, petrochemicals and energy sectors, we are excited to continue to expand our capabilities,” said Bradley N. Howell, CEO of Lodestar Energy. “We look forward to providing a high level of service to our customers through timely reporting, action and communication.”
LRS provides a focused and integrated service to its customers through the supply of rail equipment, rail freight management and rail fleet management. Rail equipment services include door-to-door freight service, shipment tracking, inventory control and spot capacity coverage. Rail freight management services include rate/transit time analysis, interface and communication with rail carriers, terminals, warehouses and other transition points. Rail fleet management includes car-supply analysis, proprietary CLM reporting, exception reporting and systematic problem resolution.
“We are excited to utilize our extensive experience in rail logistics and commercial management to offer this new service,” continued Mr. Howell. “Our experience and knowledge of the industry will ensure customers are receiving desired commercial and operational outcomes. This acquisition serves as a natural complement to the infrastructure projects being developed by Lodestar Energy Group.”
The LRS leadership includes Judson Brown and Alan Birney. Judson has extensive experience in logistics and commercial management; including 15 years at Stolt-Nielsen USA Inc. in Houston, where he led Stolt-Nielsen Rail Services. Since leaving Stolt in 2015, Judson has been leading the rail management services team for Lodestar Logistics Corporation.
Alan Birney has been active in the energy, chemical and logistics industries, including ExxonMobil and at Stolt, where he held multiple commercial and management roles across the Houston and New Orleans terminals and the Rail Services businesses. When Birney left Stolt in 2015, he joined the management team of Lodestar Energy Group and has been involved in the commercial development of numerous logistics infrastructure projects.
