Pacer International
Pacer International was a North American intermodal transportation and logistics company whose operations were acquired by XPO and later sold to STG Logistics.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Pacer International was a former North American transportation and logistics company specializing in intermodal freight, rail transportation coordination, drayage, and related logistics services. Its best-known operating identity was Pacer Stacktrain, a business built around double-stack rail transportation and the coordination of rail and truck movements across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company’s origins were closely associated with Don Orris, who led the development of a cost-effective double-stack rail service in 1984. Double-stack intermodal transportation places two containers vertically on specially configured railcars, allowing freight to move over long distances with a potentially lower cost structure than comparable highway-only transportation. The model helped reshape domestic freight movement in North America and provided the technological and operating foundation for the later Pacer business. Orris formally established Pacer International in 1997 while serving as chairman and chief executive. Rather than beginning as a single narrowly focused carrier, the company was assembled through the acquisition of 14 small and medium-sized businesses involved in transportation, third-party logistics, intermodal marketing, drayage, and ocean transportation. This acquisition-led structure gave Pacer capabilities spanning rail coordination, local truck movements, freight brokerage, and international transportation. In 1999, Pacer acquired APL Stacktrain and operated the business as Pacer Stacktrain. The acquisition strengthened the company’s intermodal identity and gave it a recognizable platform for managing containerized freight over rail networks. Pacer subsequently consolidated its transportation and logistics brokerage activities in Pacer Global Logistics in 2001. That unit was renamed Pacer Transportation Solutions in 2008, reflecting the company’s broader emphasis on integrated transportation services rather than rail-only operations. Pacer became a publicly traded company in 2002, listing on NASDAQ under the symbol PACR. During the following decade, it expanded its network and transportation offerings. In 2008, the company added BNSF service routes, doubling the size of its intermodal network according to the company history summarized in Wikipedia. It also expanded truck brokerage and highway services, positioning itself as a provider that could combine rail line-haul transportation with road-based pickup, delivery, and distribution. The company underwent several leadership changes. Michael E. Uremovich became chairman and chief executive in 2006, followed by Daniel W. Avramovich in 2009. Ajay Amlani joined in 2002 to lead strategic initiatives and the company’s initial public offering process. These changes occurred as Pacer developed from an intermodal specialist into a broader transportation and logistics organization. XPO, Inc. completed its acquisition of Pacer International on March 31, 2014. The transaction made XPO the third-largest provider of intermodal services in North America and the largest provider of cross-border Mexico intermodal services, according to the referenced company history. Paul Smith was subsequently appointed president of intermodal operations. Under XPO, the former Pacer activities were integrated into XPO’s broader freight and logistics offering, which included truck brokerage, intermodal transportation, ground and air expedition, last-mile logistics, contract logistics, freight forwarding, less-than-truckload brokerage, and managed transportation. Pacer is therefore best understood as a former corporate transportation brand rather than an active independent company. Its legacy lies in the development and commercialization of double-stack intermodal services, the assembly of a broad North American rail-and-truck network, and the integration of rail freight with brokerage and logistics coordination. The Pacer operations later associated with XPO were sold by XPO to STG Logistics in 2022. In January 2026, STG Logistics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following a debt restructuring transaction that prompted creditor litigation. The available reference material does not establish that Pacer International was revived as an independent brand after its acquisition and integration, so the company is treated here as defunct.
History
Pacer International developed from the North American intermodal transportation model associated with Don Orris. In 1984, Orris led the development of a commercially viable double-stack rail service. The system enabled two freight containers to be carried vertically on specially designed railcars, improving the economics and capacity of long-distance container transportation. It became an important part of freight movement in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and provided the operational basis for Pacer’s later intermodal business. Orris founded Pacer International in 1997 as chairman and chief executive. The company was formed through the acquisition of 14 small and medium-sized businesses in transportation, third-party logistics, intermodal marketing, drayage, and ocean transportation. This structure gave Pacer a diversified platform covering rail coordination, road-based freight movements, local container handling, brokerage, and international logistics. Pacer acquired APL Stacktrain in 1999 and operated it as Pacer Stacktrain. The business became a central part of Pacer’s identity and reflected the company’s emphasis on containerized rail freight. In 2001, Pacer combined its transportation and logistics brokerage services in a subsidiary called Pacer Global Logistics. That subsidiary was renamed Pacer Transportation Solutions in 2008 as the company broadened its service positioning. Ajay Amlani joined the company in 2002 to lead strategic initiatives and the initial public offering process. Pacer became publicly traded on NASDAQ in 2002 under the ticker PACR. Management changed during the next decade: Michael E. Uremovich became chairman and chief executive in 2006, and Daniel W. Avramovich took those positions in 2009. The company expanded materially in 2008. The addition of BNSF service routes doubled the size of its intermodal network, while Pacer also grew its truck brokerage and highway services. Its operating model increasingly combined rail line-haul transportation with independent truck drayage carriers and logistics brokerage. This approach allowed Pacer to coordinate freight across modes rather than operate solely as a rail service provider. XPO, Inc. acquired Pacer International on March 31, 2014. The acquisition made XPO the third-largest North American intermodal provider and the largest provider of cross-border Mexico intermodal services, according to the referenced account. Paul Smith was subsequently appointed president of intermodal operations. Pacer’s former activities were integrated into XPO’s service portfolio, which included intermodal transportation, truck brokerage, expedited ground and air services, last-mile logistics, contract logistics, freight forwarding, less-than-truckload brokerage, and managed transportation. The company consequently ceased to function as an independent publicly traded brand. XPO later sold the former Pacer operations to STG Logistics in 2022. In January 2026, STG Logistics entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after a debt deal generated litigation from creditors. The reference material does not describe a separate post-acquisition Pacer corporate organization, so Pacer International is classified as defunct, with its historical activities having passed through successor owners.
- 2026
STG Logistics files for Chapter 11
[1]STG Logistics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following a debt deal that prompted creditor litigation.
- 2022
Former Pacer operations sold to STG Logistics
[1]XPO sold the former Pacer operations to STG Logistics.
- 2014
Acquired by XPO
[1]XPO completed its acquisition of Pacer International on March 31, bringing Pacer’s intermodal operations into XPO’s broader logistics platform.
- 2009
New chief executive appointed
[1]Daniel W. Avramovich became chairman and chief executive officer.
- 2008
Intermodal network expanded
[1]The addition of BNSF service routes doubled Pacer’s intermodal network, while the company also expanded truck brokerage and highway services. Pacer Global Logistics was renamed Pacer Transportation Solutions.
- 2006
Leadership change
[1]Michael E. Uremovich became chairman and chief executive officer.
- 2002
Initial public offering
[1]Pacer became a public company listed on NASDAQ under the ticker PACR.
- 2001
Pacer Global Logistics established
[1]Pacer consolidated its transportation and logistics brokerage services in the Pacer Global Logistics subsidiary.
- 1999
APL Stacktrain acquired
[1]Pacer acquired APL Stacktrain and operated it as Pacer Stacktrain, strengthening its position in containerized intermodal freight.
- 1997
Pacer International founded
[1]Don Orris founded Pacer International while serving as chairman and chief executive, assembling the business through acquisitions in transportation and logistics.
Products and positioning
A North American intermodal and logistics provider focused on combining double-stack rail transportation with truck drayage, brokerage, and cross-border freight coordination.
Intermodal rail transportation · 1999
Pacer Stacktrain
Pacer Stacktrain was Pacer International’s principal intermodal operating identity after the 1999 acquisition of APL Stacktrain. It coordinated containerized freight moved in double-stack rail service and connected rail transportation with truck drayage and other logistics activities. The offering represented Pacer’s focus on long-distance North American intermodal freight rather than conventional standalone trucking.
Third-party logistics and freight brokerage · 2001
Pacer Global Logistics
Pacer Global Logistics was created in 2001 to consolidate Pacer’s transportation and logistics brokerage services. It broadened the company’s role beyond intermodal network operation by coordinating freight movements and related logistics requirements across transportation modes.
Transportation solutions and brokerage · 2008
Pacer Transportation Solutions
Pacer Transportation Solutions was the name adopted by Pacer Global Logistics in 2008. The renamed unit reflected Pacer’s expansion into truck brokerage and highway services alongside its intermodal activities. It formed part of the company’s effort to present an integrated transportation offering to shippers.
Brand decisions
2022
Sale of former Pacer operations to STG LogisticsM&ABackground
XPO later reorganized its portfolio and sold the former Pacer operations.
Action taken
XPO sold the former Pacer operations to STG Logistics.
Aftermath
The former Pacer business moved to STG Logistics and remained a successor operation rather than an independent Pacer company.
2014
Acquisition by XPOM&ABackground
XPO was expanding its North American logistics and intermodal platform through acquisitions.
Action taken
XPO completed the acquisition of Pacer International on March 31, 2014.
Aftermath
Pacer ceased operating as an independent public company, and its former intermodal activities were integrated into XPO’s service offering.
2008
Expansion of intermodal and highway servicesStrategyBackground
Pacer aimed to increase network scale and broaden its services beyond rail coordination.
Action taken
The company added BNSF routes, doubled its intermodal network, expanded truck brokerage and highway services, and renamed Pacer Global Logistics as Pacer Transportation Solutions.
Aftermath
Pacer became a more multimodal transportation and logistics provider.
2002
Public listingStrategyBackground
Pacer was developing a broader transportation and logistics platform and prepared to access public capital markets.
Action taken
The company completed its initial public offering and traded on NASDAQ under PACR.
Aftermath
Pacer operated as a public company until its acquisition by XPO in 2014.
1999
Acquisition of APL StacktrainM&ABackground
Pacer sought to strengthen its containerized rail transportation business and build a larger intermodal operating platform.
Action taken
Pacer acquired APL Stacktrain and operated it under the Pacer Stacktrain name.
Aftermath
The acquired business became a central part of Pacer’s intermodal identity.
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