Truckload Carriers Industry Profile

Companies in this industry provide long-distance transportation by truck of general freight, in which freight from a single shipper makes up a truckload. Major companies include JB Hunt, Swift Transportation, Schneider National, and Werner Enterprises (all based in the US), along with Seino Transportation (Japan) and TFI International (Canada).

Wealthy nations such as the US, Japan, and Germany are top markets for trucking. Though trucking companies have traditionally focused on providing service in their home countries and neighboring nations, growth in emerging markets has prompted some companies to expand overseas. Such growth is typically achieved through the acquisition of established local trucking networks in the target country.

The US truckload carriers industry includes about 35,500 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $95 billion.

Full truckload (TL) shipments have trailers dedicated to a single shipper's cargo. In contrast, less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers transport the consolidated cargo of several shippers on one truck, dropping goods off at multiple delivery points. LTL carriers are covered in a separate industry profile.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by consumer spending and manufacturing output. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations. Large companies have advantages in account relationships, bulk fuel purchasing, fleet size, and access to drivers. Small operations can compete effectively by providing quick turnaround, serving a local market, or transporting unusually sized goods. The US industry is ...