Jackim Woods & Co. Leads Buy-Side Roll-Up in the CDL Training Sector
When a large Title IV vocational college set out to acquire multiple commercial-driver-license (CDL) training schools, they turned to Jackim Woods & Co. for a focused, results-driven buy-side campaign — and we delivered. Below is how we helped them navigate complexity, act with speed, and close acquisitions that strengthen their national footprint.
What the Mandate Was
Our client’s objective was to acquire one or more high-quality CDL training providers in key U.S. states, to build scale quickly as part of a national roll-up strategy. Their criteria were strict: geographic location, size, proximity to major airports (for future logistics), and the potential for seamless integration into a growing national CDL division.
Our client had a regulatory and strategic mandate to close by end of 2025, and to hit a combined CDL-division revenue target of at least $6 million. By working swiftly and eliminating unnecessary delays, we met those targets, positioning our client for full compliance — and for accelerated growth.
Our role at Jackim Woods & Co. was to represent the buyer, source targets, and manage the acquisition process from first outreach through closing.
The first CDL acquisition we helped them close was CL Driving Academy — a premier commercial driver training center located in Charlotte, NC. Three months later, we helped them acquire Apex Technical Institute, a leading CDL school in Kansas City, KS.
How We Worked: Our Value-Added Buy-Side Process
- Highly Targeted & Data-Driven Deal Sourcing
We began with a broad universe — roughly 693 potential CDL school targets — then filtered that down to around 300 that met our client’s criteria (geography, size, infrastructure, airport proximity, and more). This data-driven screening ensured that we spent the client’s time on only the most promising candidates. - Proactive Outreach & Seller Engagement
Using a mix of personalized emails and phone outreach, we contacted each owner/operator in the filtered target list. That initial campaign produced 15 schools interested in further discussion.
We then conducted introductory calls with 12, arranged six conference calls between our client and potential sellers — and helped formulate offers on two schools - Fast, Focused Execution & Negotiation
In the case of CL Driving Academy, our campaign from first contact to closing wrapped up in just 92 days.For Apex Technical Institute, the process took 184 days — a slightly longer timeline because we needed to negotiate a post-closing employment contract with the owner to assume a leadership role and manage our client’s multi-state CDL division.
- Strategic Integration Planning (Owner-Operator Retention)
Recognizing the importance of leadership continuity in a roll-up, we helped our client identify a strategic leader who could help them manage their growing CDL division. negotiate a deal structure that retained the prior owner of Apex Technical Institute — bringing him in as Divisional Vice President for the new national CDL business. This eased transition, preserved institutional knowledge, and boosted the credibility of the combined enterprise.
Outcome & What It Means
Thanks to our buy-side advisory, our client successfully acquired two high-quality CDL training schools, giving them an immediate multi-state presence in a consolidating industry. More importantly, they gained not just assets — but operational leadership and a scalable platform for future acquisitions.
From a strategic perspective, this gives them:
- A streamlined path to national scale in the fragmented CDL training market.
- Operational leverage via back-office and administrative consolidation.
- Enhanced negotiating power with large carriers or employers seeking to hire CDL-trained graduates.
- A foundation to continue roll-up efforts — strengthened by credibility, cash capital, and a proven acquisition process.
Why Jackim Woods & Co. Was the Right Partner
Our success hinged on combining deep domain expertise with disciplined process execution:
- We know the vocational education and CDL-training sector — enabling us to build immediate credibility with school owners.
- We executed a comprehensive, data-driven target search — not a scattershot approach.
- We engaged directly and persistently with owners, building trust and opening doors for negotiation.
- We drove speed without sacrificing due diligence or post-closing strategy.
If you’re a buyer seeking to acquire assets in a fragmented sector — whether education, vocational training, logistics, or other specialized services — we offer a proven, structured buy-side process that gets results.
Meet the Dealmaker Behind the Strategy
Richard Jackim is founder of Jackim Woods & Co and the head of our education group. A former Wall Street attorney and bulge-bracket investment banker, Richard has advised on over 120 transactions totaling more than $2.3 billion in market value. Since he founded the Exit Planning Institute and sold it in 2012, he has focused on privately-held small and mid-sized companies in the education sector — including vocational schools, training and certification providers, edtech companies, and niche educational assets. He is a frequent author of white papers on education M&A and has spoken at industry summits.
Contact us to Learn More
If you represent a private equity firm, vocational college, or strategic buyer — and considering making an acquisition in education, training, or other specialized sectors — reach out. We’ll build a tailored buy-side acquisition campaign designed to move with speed, discretion, and strategic clarity. Contact: Rich Jackim at rjackim@jackimwoods.com
