Staff photo by Fritz Busch J & R Schugel Inc. celebrated their 50th anniversary last year wrapping a semi tractor and trailer with veteran’s and historical themes. The company now has 750 trucks and 1,700 trailers.

NEW ULM — Los Angeles-based Interstate Personnel Services, Inc. (IPS) announced in a press release of the merger with New Ulm-based J&R Schugel Inc. effective last Friday.

“Interstate Personnel Services, Inc. (IPS), a 100% employee-owned ESOP announced that the employee owners of IPS and J&R Schugel (JRS) have voted overwhelmingly in favor of JRS joining the IPS transportation family, which includes Paschall Truck Lines, Paschall Logistics, and Transport Distribution Company,” the release stated.

With the merger, IPS and its transportation companies will operate nearly 2,000 tractors and 6,000 trailers, focusing on dry van and refrigerated services in the United States and Mexico.

“The J & R Schugel (JRS) name is well-known and highly respected in our industry,” said IPS CEO/Chairman Dave Gibbon said in the release. “Adding JRS to the IPS family expands the capabilities and services that we can jointly provide to our respective customers while creating new, exciting opportunities for our employee owners.”

“The combination of our two organizations preserves our employee-ownership culture while bringing enhanced value to our customers,” said J & R Schugel CEO Sean Claton.

IPS’ primary subsidiary companies include Pashall Truck Lines, Paschall Logistics, Pashall Trailer Leasing and Transportation Distribution Company and IPS leasing.

Founded in 1937, Paschall Truck Lines currently operates more than 1,250 units and 4,000 trailers. The company became 100% employee-owned in 2013. It provides one-way, dedicated, regional, long-haul, logistics, and equipment leasing services in the United States and Mexico.

J&R Schugel was founded in 1974 by Jerry and Rich Schugel. The company remained family-owned and operated until 2014 when it became 100% employee owned.

J & R Schugel celebrated 50 years in business last year .