Daseke Adds Defense Specialization with R&R Trucking Addition

ADDISON, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Daseke
Inc. (NASDAQ: DSKE)(NASDAQ: DSKEW), a leading consolidator and the
largest owner of flatbed and specialized transportation solutions in
North America, announced a merger with R&R Trucking, a leading
specialized transporter of defense and commercial AA&E (arms, ammunition
and explosives) cargo. This marks Daseke’s fourth company addition since
May 1, 2017.

R&R Trucking generated an estimated $7 million in Adjusted EBITDA in
2016.1,2 After giving pro forma effect to the merger, as well
as the recent 2017 additions of The Schilli Companies, Big Freight
Systems and The Steelman Companies earlier this year, Daseke’s 2016
revenue and Adjusted EBITDA would have been approximately $869 million
and $115 million, respectively, a 33 percent increase and a 30 percent
increase, respectively, compared to actual 2016 results.3

“With over 3,800 tractors and over 8,200 flatbed and specialized
trailers, Daseke is the largest owner of flatbed and specialized
equipment in North America, yet accounts for less than 1 percent of the
highly fragmented $133 billion flatbed and specialized freight market,”
said Don Daseke, president and chief executive officer, Daseke Inc. “We
took Daseke public in February of this year to accelerate our vision of
building North America's premier flatbed and specialized transportation
company. We continue to attract top-tier companies to join us as we
build upon our national scale and further enhance the synergies
throughout our unique transportation network.”

Daseke continued, “R&R Trucking is highly specialized, transporting the
nation's most sensitive cargo. Fewer than 20 companies in the United
States are approved to provide transportation for the Department of
Defense and the Department of Energy. They are also one of the very few
companies approved by the Department of Defense to own and operate high
security terminals.”

R&R Trucking

Founded in 1988, R&R Trucking is comprised of three operating companies,
R&R Trucking Inc., TNI (USA) Inc. DBA AATCO and NEI Transport LLC.
Primarily through the use of team drivers, the R&R Trucking companies
move specialty cargo requiring unique training and security clearances.
This includes the transport of defense and commercial arms, ammunition
and explosives, radioactive cargo and hazardous materials throughout
their network of high security terminals.

"Our highly-credentialed expert team drivers are proud to serve our
country,” said Phil Nelson, president and chief executive officer, R&R
Trucking. “I knew this was going to be one of the best opportunities the
company would ever have. We are going to continue to do what we do best,
but now we will have all the support and benefits of being a Daseke
company, like consolidated purchasing power and collaboration with our
top-quality sister companies.”

Daseke adds, “We can already see synergies with increased access to team
driver services that will complement the efforts of Smokey Point
Distributing, the original Daseke company, and through increased
terminals in the Midwest. We welcome the terrific people of R&R Trucking
to the Daseke family!”

About Daseke

Daseke Inc. is a leading consolidator and the largest owner of flatbed
and specialized transportation solutions in North America. Daseke offers
comprehensive, best-in-class services to some of the world’s most
respected industrial shippers through their experienced people, over
3,800 tractors, over 8,200 flatbed and specialized trailers and more
than a million square feet of industrial warehousing space.

Forward‐Looking Statements

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may
be identified by words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,”
“forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,”
“target,” “will” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate
future events or trends or that are not statements of historical
matters. Such forward-looking statements may include statements relating
to the benefits of the R&R Trucking merger (the “Transaction”), our
future performance of following the Transaction and expansion plans and
opportunities. These forward-looking statements are based on current
information and expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a
number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly,
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our
views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation
to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable
securities laws. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown
risks and uncertainties, actual results or performance may be materially
different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ
include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability to recognize the
anticipated benefits of the Transaction, which may be affected by, among
other things, competition and our ability to grow and manage growth
profitably; (2) changes in applicable laws or regulations; and (3) the
possibility that we may be adversely affected by economic, business or
competitive factors. For additional information regarding known material
factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those
expressed in forward-looking statements, please see our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), available at www.sec.gov,
including Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. II’s definitive Proxy
statement dated February 6, 2017, particularly the section “Risk
Factors— Risk Factors Relating to Daseke’s Business and Industry,” and
Daseke’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on March 16,
2017 and amended on May 4, 2017.

Daseke has a long history of, and intends to continue, acquiring
strategic and complementary flatbed and specialized trucking companies.
Negotiations and discussions with potential prospect companies are an
integral part of the Company’s operations. These negotiations and
discussions can be in varying stages from infancy to very mature.
Therefore, investors should assume the Company is always evaluating,
negotiating and performing diligence on potential acquisitions.

1 Based on R&R Trucking’s audited financial statements.

2 Net loss of $0.9 million plus: depreciation and
amortization of $5.9 million, interest of $0.5 million, provision for
income taxes of $1.2 million and acquisition-related transaction
expenses of $0.3 million results in Adjusted EBITDA of $7.0 million.

3 Net loss of $10.1 million plus: depreciation and
amortization of $87.8 million, interest of $24.1 million, provision for
income taxes of $2.6 million, acquisition-related transaction expenses
of $0.9 million, impairment of $2.0 million, withdrawn initial public
offering-related expenses of $3.1 million, net losses on sales of
defective revenue equipment out of the normal replacement cycle of $0.7
million, impairments related to defective revenue equipment sold out of
the normal replacement cycle of $0.2 million and expenses related to the
business combination and related transactions of $3.5 million results in
Adjusted EBITDA of $114.8 million.

Contacts

for Daseke Inc.
Media:
Matt Maurel, 512-387-3604
[email protected]
or
Investor
Relations:
Geralyn DeBusk, 972-458-8000
[email protected]