Out of Business Trucking Companies List: A Comprehensive Guide

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If you're looking for a comprehensive guide on out of business trucking companies, you've come to the right place. According to our research, there are over 100 trucking companies that have gone out of business in the past 5 years alone.

Many of these companies have been in operation for decades, with some having a long history of providing reliable transportation services. Unfortunately, factors like increased competition, rising fuel costs, and stricter regulations have forced many to shut down.

Some of the most notable trucking companies that have gone out of business include Roadway Express, which ceased operations in 2013, and Con-way Freight, which was acquired by XPO Logistics in 2015 but later sold off its assets.

Fallen Trucking Companies

Arrow Trucking is a notable example of a trucking company that went out of business, stranding thousands of drivers in December 2009, just before Christmas.

The company's downfall was due to the mismanagement of its finances by Doug Pielsticker, who had inherited the company from his father after his death in a plane crash in 2001. Pielsticker was later indicted on 23 counts of conspiracy, tax evasion, and bank fraud.

Credit: youtube.com, Old trucking companies that went out of business

In recent years, the trucking industry has struggled, leading to the closure of at least eight trucking companies, resulting in approximately 2,659 drivers losing their jobs.

One of the largest trucking companies to close was New England Motor Freight, which employed 1,472 truck drivers and filed for bankruptcy in February.

Smaller trucking companies like Carney Trucking Co. and Terrill Transportation also closed down, leaving 25 and 36 drivers out of work, respectively.

The trucking industry's struggles have led to a record driver shortage, with the American Trucking Associations estimating that the industry can't find enough qualified drivers.

The closures of these trucking companies serve as a reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities of the freight transportation sector, which can be affected by economic downturns, rising operational costs, and intense competition.

Companies That Closed

New England Motor Freight was the first trucking company to fold this year, announcing its bankruptcy and closure in February, affecting 1,472 truck drivers.

Credit: youtube.com, Trucking Companies CLOSING DOWN Across The Country

The trucking industry has struggled this year, leading to the closure of at least eight trucking companies, resulting in approximately 2,659 drivers losing their jobs.

In May, Williams Trucking closed up shop, leaving 48 drivers without a job, while Falcon Transport, which employed 585 drivers, closed abruptly in April.

Carney Trucking Co. closed on July 31, affecting 25 drivers, while Terrill Transportation shut down on July 30, leaving 36 drivers out of work.

Consolidated Freightways

Consolidated Freightways was founded in 1929 and became a leading figure in the transportation industry, offering a wide range of services including less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, warehousing, and logistics solutions.

For over 70 years, CF enjoyed a strong reputation for its reliable and efficient operations, serving a diverse customer base across various industries.

The company faced many financial difficulties due to labor disputes, rising costs, and heavy debt burdens, which ultimately led to its downfall.

CF's bankruptcy in 2002 was one of the largest bankruptcies ever witnessed in the American trucking industry, sending shockwaves throughout the industry.

Fikes Truck Line

Credit: youtube.com, How To Save Your Trucking Company From Bankruptcy: Count Your Expenses

Fikes Truck Line was a 100% Owner Operator trucking company based in Hope, Arkansas.

Rumors of its demise started spreading in early 2015 due to financial mistakes made during a tough market.

Financial mistakes made a half decade earlier started to take a toll on the company.

Owner-operators leased to Fikes started calling the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association to report bounced payroll checks in late Spring 2015.

Fikes announced it would be permanently closing its doors and ceasing business in May 2015.

Contractors were encouraged to lease with Blair Logistics, who bought the Fikes home office in Hope, AR.

Blair Logistics continued to do business out of the Fikes home office after the company closed.

Expand your knowledge: Best Home Time Trucking Companies

Arrow Trucking

Arrow Trucking was a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company that closed its doors in December 2009, stranding thousands of drivers right before Christmas.

The company's financial downfall was attributed to the mismanagement of funds by its owner, Doug Pielsticker, who had inherited the business from his father after his death in a plane crash in 2001.

Credit: youtube.com, Unveiling Arrow Trucking's Dark Secrets

Pielsticker's schemes to misdirect funds from the trucking company to his personal accounts were eventually uncovered, leading to his indictment on 23 counts of conspiracy, tax evasion, and bank fraud.

The sudden closure of Arrow Trucking left many drivers in a difficult situation, but it also sparked a wave of compassion and support from other drivers, companies, and individuals who came together to help the stranded drivers.

Companies That Closed

The trucking industry has experienced its fair share of closures in recent years.

At least eight trucking companies have folded in the last eight months, leaving approximately 2,659 drivers out of jobs.

New England Motor Freight was the first trucking company to close this year, with 1,472 drivers affected by its bankruptcy filing in February.

The company's closure was a significant blow to the industry, and its impact is still being felt.

Carney Trucking Co. closed on July 31, putting 25 drivers out of a job.

Credit: youtube.com, Top 5 Big Companies That Went Bankrupt

Terrill Transportation closed the day before, on July 30, leaving 36 drivers without employment.

Other companies that have closed this year include LME, which employed 424 truck drivers, and Starlite Trucking, which had 28 drivers.

ALA Trucking also announced its closure in June, putting 41 drivers out of a job.

Williams Trucking closed in May, affecting 48 drivers, while Falcon Transport closed abruptly in April, leaving 585 drivers without employment.

These closures are a stark reminder of the challenges facing the trucking industry, including a record driver shortage.

Industry Impact

The industry impact of out of business trucking companies is significant. Many of these companies had a strong presence in their local communities, employing hundreds of people and generating millions of dollars in revenue each year.

Over 1,000 trucking companies have gone out of business since 2019, resulting in the loss of over 100,000 jobs. This has had a ripple effect on the economy, with many small towns and cities feeling the impact of these closures.

Credit: youtube.com, The Trucking Industry is Collapsing! Why Are So Many Companies Going Bankrupt?

The trucking industry is a vital part of the US economy, with trucking companies responsible for transporting over 70% of the country's goods. The loss of these companies has put a strain on the remaining trucking companies, who are now shouldering the burden of increased demand.

The average age of a trucking company is 20 years, with many companies struggling to stay afloat due to increasing regulations, rising fuel costs, and a tight labor market. This has led to a wave of consolidations and bankruptcies in the industry.

The closure of these trucking companies has also had an impact on the environment, with many companies reporting a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to the decrease in truck traffic.

Discussions

I've been digging through old trucking company forums and I found some interesting tidbits about out of business trucking companies.

Some companies are harder to find than others. Apparently, the group North Carolina Norton Ramseyi is abandoned, with the original founder and Admin leaving in 2013 after a dispute.

Credit: youtube.com, Why are Trucking Companies Going Out of Business in 2024? (Bankruptcy Reasons)

It's not uncommon for companies to shut down due to financial issues. For example, Olson Transportation closed its doors in 1968.

If you're looking for photos of a specific trucking company, you might be out of luck. A user was looking for pictures of Rimes Trucking from Chardon, Ohio, but couldn't find any.

Here are some out of business trucking companies mentioned in the forums:

A user was also looking for information about Cal Motors, but couldn't find anything about what happened to the company.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many carriers have gone out of business?

According to CarrierOK analysis, over 88,000 freight carriers ceased operations in 2023, a significant industry disruption. This number is in addition to the 8,000 freight brokers that also went out of business.

Why is yellow trucking shutting down?

Yellow trucking is shutting down due to an outstanding debt of $1.5 billion, including $729.2 million owed to the US government, which it was unable to pay off despite efforts to mitigate its financial issues.

What trucking company just laid off employees?

Mountain Valley Express LLC, a trucking company, has laid off 105 employees across multiple facilities in California and Arizona. The layoffs affect employees at five facilities in California and one in Arizona.

Nellie Kling

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Nellie Kling is a seasoned copy editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for clear, concise writing. She has honed her skills over years of experience, ensuring that every article she touches is polished and engaging. Nellie's expertise shines through in her coverage of cruise line news, where she provides insightful and well-researched content that captivates her audience.

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