{"id":291701,"date":"2025-10-10T10:25:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/291701\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T10:25:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:25:25","slug":"arlington-based-driver-safety-training-co-smith-system-acquires-minneapolis-based-utilimarc-dallas-innovates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/291701\/","title":{"rendered":"Arlington-Based Driver Safety Training Co. Smith System Acquires Minneapolis-Based Utilimarc \u00bb Dallas Innovates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Arlington-based Smith System, a global provider of driver safety training and risk management, has acquired Utilimarc, a Minneapolis-based provider of fleet analytics and benchmarking, creating what Smith System calls \u201cthe industry\u2019s most comprehensive platform.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis acquisition redefines what it means to be a fleet safety partner,\u201d Smith System CEO Derek Dunaway said in a statement. \u201cFor the first time, organizations can connect driver training with fleet-wide analytics in one platform. That means our clients don\u2019t just get data or training in isolation\u2014they get a closed loop that measures performance, drives behavior change, and proves ROI.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Terms of the deal were not disclosed.<\/p>\n<p>The acquisition unifies world-class driver training with deep fleet analytics to deliver \u201csafer, smarter, and more cost-efficient operations,\u201d said Smith System, the provider of Smith5Keys.<\/p>\n<p>Founded in 2001, Utilimarc has developed a business intelligence platform that integrates data across telematics, fleet management information systems, maintenance software, and safety cameras. Smith said that by combining those insights with its training and driver risk expertise, customers gain a single partner to improve driver behavior, optimize fleet assets, and validate measurable performance gains.<\/p>\n<p>Benefits of the combined company<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJoining forces with Smith System allows us to take analytics further than ever before,\u201d Utilimarc CEO Chris Shaffer said. \u201cTogether, we set a new standard for the industry and deliver real-world impact\u2014safer fleets, smarter asset decisions, and long-term cost savings. This is a win for our customers and the industry at large.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Smith System, which was founded in 1952, said that with both companies operating as one, customers benefit from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enhancing the 5Keys with Deep Fleet Analytics: A closed-loop solution that connects driver behavior, operational data, and benchmarking\u2014delivering improvements that are both measurable and sustainable.<\/li>\n<li>One Source for Safer, Smarter Fleets: A unified view of drivers, vehicles, and operations that enables precise interventions, cost reductions, and stronger compliance outcomes.<\/li>\n<li>A Broader Data + Safety Ecosystem: Building on Smith System\u2019s recent Brightmile acquisition, the combined company brings together mobile telematics, advanced analytics, and behavior-based training into one seamless platform\u2014further tightening the connection between data insight and driver safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The combined company now \u201cstands alone in the market,\u201d Smith System said, with no other provider integrating analytics, benchmarking, telematics, and behavior-based training into a single solution. This unique positioning strengthens Smith System\u2019s role as both a pioneer in driver safety and a technology-driven partner at the center of modern fleet operations, the company added.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t miss what\u2019s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 0 10px 0;\">Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\tR E A D\u00a0\u00a0 N E X T\t<\/p>\n<ul class=\"rp4wp-posts-list\">\n<li class=\"rp4wp-col rp4wp-col-first rp4wp-col-last\">\n<p>The Arlington company has trained millions of drivers across 100 countries since 1952, and now adds real-time performance monitoring to its global safety programs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"rp4wp-col rp4wp-col-first rp4wp-col-last\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/the-last-word-when-ai-rewrote-the-famous-barbie-speech-for-nonprofits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/digital-simple-heart-design.jpg_s1024x1024wisk20cU5Hlb9Iy2Z43-JJX4uRDKyWpnzGvXYV75dCwYipl0dg.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When AI rewrote the Barbie speech for nonprofits, it hit uncomfortably close to home from impossibly tight budgets to donor expectations. Social entrepreneur Suzanne Smith says it&#8217;s time for leaders to dive in and try Gen AI for themselves.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"rp4wp-col rp4wp-col-first rp4wp-col-last\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/atlantas-flock-safety-and-homegrown-launch-thriving-cities-fund-in-dfw-for-local-brick-and-mortar-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Flock-Safety-and-Homegrown-Launch-the-Thriving-Cities-Fund-.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dallas-Fort Worth is the second metro to receive investment from the new $10M fund, as Flock and Homegrown bet on local entrepreneurs to grow jobs, storefronts, and economic momentum with flexible, non-dilutive capital.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"rp4wp-col rp4wp-col-first rp4wp-col-last\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/6-north-texas-entrepreneurs-make-the-inc-female-founders-500-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FemaleFounders-6up-970.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Six local entrepreneurs have joined 494 other &#8220;women at the top of their games&#8221; by making Inc.&#8217;s Female Founders 500 list. From a nonprofit helping battle-scarred veterans to an influencer marketing innovator to a nationwide &#8220;all-American&#8221; bakery chain and more, here&#8217;s what the six women created\u2014and why they&#8217;re thriving.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"rp4wp-col rp4wp-col-first rp4wp-col-last\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/hteao-taps-new-cfo-and-hr-chief-to-power-next-phase-of-growth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HteaOCorey_Horsch-970.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Former execs from Salad and Go and Taco Bell join the Fort Worth-based iced-tea franchise as it eyes continued expansion.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Arlington-based Smith System, a global provider of driver safety training and risk management, has acquired Utilimarc, a Minneapolis-based&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15584,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5138],"tags":[1675,5229,149519,149520,149521,7371,7372,74300,149522,149523,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969,149524],"class_list":{"0":"post-291701","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fort-worth","8":"tag-acquisition","9":"tag-america","10":"tag-chris-shaffer","11":"tag-derek-dunaway","12":"tag-driver-safety-training","13":"tag-fort-worth","14":"tag-fortworth","15":"tag-risk-management","16":"tag-smith-system","17":"tag-smith5keys","18":"tag-texas","19":"tag-tx","20":"tag-united-states","21":"tag-united-states-of-america","22":"tag-unitedstates","23":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","24":"tag-us","25":"tag-usa","26":"tag-utilimarc"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115349391556856453","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291701"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291701\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}