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 “the industry’s most comprehensive platform.”

“This acquisition redefines what it means to be a fleet safety partner,” Smith System CEO Derek Dunaway said in a statement. “For the first time, organizations can connect driver training with fleet-wide analytics in one platform. That means our clients don’t just get data or training in isolation—they get a closed loop that measures performance, drives behavior change, and proves ROI.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition unifies world-class driver training with deep fleet analytics to deliver “safer, smarter, and more cost-efficient operations,” said Smith System, the provider of Smith5Keys.

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.

Benefits of the combined company

“Joining forces with Smith System allows us to take analytics further than ever before,” Utilimarc CEO Chris Shaffer said. “Together, we set a new standard for the industry and deliver real-world impact—safer fleets, smarter asset decisions, and long-term cost savings. This is a win for our customers and the industry at large.”

Smith System, which was founded in 1952, said that with both companies operating as one, customers benefit from:

Enhancing the 5Keys with Deep Fleet Analytics: A closed-loop solution that connects driver behavior, operational data, and benchmarking—delivering improvements that are both measurable and sustainable.
One Source for Safer, Smarter Fleets: A unified view of drivers, vehicles, and operations that enables precise interventions, cost reductions, and stronger compliance outcomes.
A Broader Data + Safety Ecosystem: Building on Smith System’s recent Brightmile acquisition, the combined company brings together mobile telematics, advanced analytics, and behavior-based training into one seamless platform—further tightening the connection between data insight and driver safety.

 

The combined company now “stands alone in the market,” 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’s role as both a pioneer in driver safety and a technology-driven partner at the center of modern fleet operations, the company added.

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R E A D   N E X T

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.

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