David Hollis
It was a transformative year in many ways for the trucking industry in this country, as many carriers of all sizes struggled with depressed rates, and a reduced amount of freight. There were numerous mergers and acquisitions, and no small number of fleets of all sizes simply called it quits or sought to reorganize through bankruptcy.
Earlier this month, St. Louis based Enterprise Mobility announced it had acquired Hogan Transports, a major family-owned carrier, which provides truckload and dedicated services, truck rental and leasing. Hogan, also located in St. Louis has 10,000 pieces of equipment and 50 locations. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Other mergers and acquisitions during 2025, included:
- Schneider expanded its dedicated services with the acquisition of Baltimore-based Cowan Systems for a reported $390 million.
- Hub Group acquired Marten Intermodal, expanding its temperature intermodal operation.
- OneCompass Holdings, the parent company of Hyway Transportation, acquired Koleaseco, Inc., a full service asset-based carrier with 148 drivers.
- Knight Swift merged its three LTL carriers – Midwest Motor Express, DHE, and AAA Cooper – under the AAA Cooper name.
- Heartland Express integrated CFI’s U.S. operations, rebranding it as part of Heartland.
- Page Trucking acquired Goulet Trucking, to form Page G.T.C. Inc. The deal is expected to close early next year.
- LRT Group, a transportation and logistics provider headquartered in Fort Payne, Alabama acquired XGS Global Systems, which operates 315 trucks out of its Chattanooga base.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada’s Trimac Transportation made three significant acquisitions in 2025: Watt & Stewart, a flatbed/specialized carrier; Searcy Trucking, which hauls oversized loads; and Service Transport Company, a chemical hauler.
- TCI Transportation has acquired Kansas-based Success NationaLease, a Kansas-based leasing company, adding more than 450 trucks and three facilities to TCI’s nationwide network.
- Nagle Companies, a provider of temperature-controlled food transportation based in Ohio, acquired Kandel Transportation, which is also based in Ohio.
- Premier Bulk Systems based in Gormley, Ontario, Canada acquired Longhorn Transportation, which is located in Berry Mills, New Brunswick, Canada.
- Kenan Advantage Group purchased dry bulk carrier Evergreen Transport, LLC,, M.C. Tank Transport, Inc., expanding their chemical and ISO container services, and Fisher Transport for milk transport. KAG is headquartered in North Canon, Ohio.
- Walmart sold its Canadian fleet of 450 trucks and 4,500 trailers to Canada Cartage. There are 400 Walmart stores in Canada.
- LTL carrier Sutton Transport was acquired by Pitt Ohio Transportation Group and merged with Dohrn Transfer.
- Pennsylvania flatbed carrier PGT Trucking acquired family-owned Debrick Truck Line Co., which is based in Paola, Kansas.
Numerous bankruptcies and closings in 2025
The American trucking industry also lost a lot of carriers during 2025. The list is long and varied. It also speaks to how demanding the market became this year.
Some companies filed for bankruptcy, either reorganizing or going out of business. Others simply closed their doors and ceased operations.
Regardless of how they exited, they put a lot of truckers and other employees out of work.
Among the trucking companies that ceased operations were several sizeable carriers including:
- 10 Roads Express, a major carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, announced in November it would shut down operations completely.
- Carroll Fulmer Logistics, a major Florida-based company closed its doors after 71 years in operation. The company said numerous legal battles and economic pressures lead to its closing. Ironically, the man who founded the company and put his name on it died shortly after the company closed.
- Montgomery Transport LLC, an Alabama-based flatbed carrier with more than 458 drivers filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, ceasing operations in October.
- LTI Trucking, an Illinois-based regional carrier, eased operations in April, putting some 250 drivers out of work.
Other companies going out of business or declaring bankruptcy during 2025 included:
- Atlantic Overseas Express – Doral, Florida-based carrier filed for bankruptcy in October
- AZA Transportation Inc. – Filed for Subchapter V Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May
- Balkan Express/Balkan Logistics – The Texas-based companies with more than 160 drivers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April
- Best Choice Trucking LLC – based in Dedham, Massachusetts, filed for Chapter 11 in April; it had nine drivers
- Best Logistics Inc. – A 3PL in Memphis, Tennessee filed for Chapter 11 in April
- C & C Freight Network – A small Braselton, Georgia-based carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 7
- CLB Trucking – The Greenburg, Pennsylvania-based carrier with nine power units filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September
- Daniel Trucking International Inc. – A family-owned nationwide refrigerated hauler from Des Plaines, Illinois filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July
- Davis Express Inc. – This Florida-based regional reefer carrier with 160 trucks permanently ceased operations in April
- Dolche Truckload Corp. -The Illinois-based carrier filed for Chapter 11 restructuring in June
- Elite Carriers – Based in Merrill, Wisconsin the company Filed for Chapter 11 in May along with four affiliates.
- Epic Lightning Fast Service – A San Diego-based Amazon with over 100 drivers, closed in October
- GMB Transport -The Upstate New York carrier with five drivers filed for bankruptcy in September
- James R. Smith Trucking – A 70-year-old family-owned Cullman, Alabama carrier shut down operations this month
- L.S. Trucking –
- Nortia Logistics Inc. – The Chicagoland carrier filed for Chapter 11 in June
- P. Judge – A New Jersey-based trucking and warehousing firm in business for over 100 years old, filed for bankruptcy in November
- Precision Express –
- Sky Rock Trucking –
- Supra National Express – Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2025.
- TGS Transportation Inc. – A drayage and logistics company that shut down after 40 years in business in July 2025.
- VIB Trans, Inc. – An Illinois-based carrier that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid the freight recession.
- WBK Transport –
- Xtreme Quality Logistic LLC – The Orlando-based company and its affiliate, Winstar Investments LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2025.
- Tony’s Express, headquartered in Fontana, California closed up shop in April after 70 years in business. The company had 87 drivers.
- MinStar Transport and Transport Design Inc., both owned by the Minneapolis-based True North Equity Partners closed abruptly earlier this month, putting a combined total of 200 drivers out of work.
