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Flatbed and specialized transportation carrier Daseke Inc., which has been in the throes of expansion — adding seven fleets last year and one so far in 2018 — has created a new unit to improve the way it buys, sells and maintains the thousands of pieces of equipment it operates.

Daseke Inc. reported a first-quarter net loss of $800,000, or minus 4 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $7.7 million, or minus 32 cents per share, in the first quarter a year ago.

Daseke Inc. on April 16 continued its acquisition activity, announcing it will purchase Aveda Transportation and Energy Services, a large North American oil rig moving company based in Calgary, Alberta. The deal is expected to close in June.

Daseke Inc. reported a much-improved fourth quarter 2017 over the same period the year before, driven in part by seven acquisitions it made in 2017.

Daseke Inc. named Chief Financial Officer Scott Wheeler its new president, replacing company founder Don Daseke, who will continue as CEO. Wheeler, who also is a Daseke board member, will remain the CFO.

Specialized glass hauler Belmont Enterprises has joined Smokey Point Distributing, a flatbed and heavy specialized carrier that is part of the Daseke Inc. group of companies.

Daseke Inc. will end the year with the same frenetic pace it began 2017 after announcing that three new carriers will join its conglomerate of trucking companies, bringing the number of new additions to seven since Jan. 1.

Daseke Inc. reported a profit for the first time since it became a publicly traded company last winter, reversing losses as a private entity one year ago and two quarters in the red in 2017.

Flatbed group Daseke Inc. purchased its fourth motor carrier this year, bringing R&R Trucking into the corporation and adding defense transportation to its capabilities.

Daseke Inc. lost $3.6 million in the second quarter, its second consecutive quarter in the red after the flatbed carrier joined Wall Street in February, but CEO Don Daseke remains upbeat.