The Beginning of an Industry Game-Changer

It all started on a cold February morning in 1990 when J.B. Hunt’s first intermodal load departed Chicago, marking the debut of a trailblazing partnership between trucking and rail companies. This collaboration was the brainchild of J.B. Hunt founder Johnnie Bryan Hunt and Santa Fe Railway President Mike Haverty (now BNSF Railway). Aptly named “Quantum,” the service embodied a forward-thinking approach that promised a lasting impact on the freight transportation industry.

“Intermodal started as an idea to bring two services together and create a customer-focused, efficient solution,” said Shelley Simpson, president and CEO of J.B. Hunt. “This dream was brought to life by teams working closely together, never losing faith in the belief of a better way to move freight, one rooted in integrity, respect, safety, and excellence. It changed freight transportation forever and set the company on a path of continued innovation, sparking 35 years of growth and expansion.”

From Humble Beginnings to Market Leadership

The service that began with just 150 trailers has grown into North America’s largest intermodal operation. Today, J.B. Hunt Intermodal (JBI) boasts a fleet of over 122,000 company-owned containers and 6,500 tractors. The groundbreaking concept of double-stacking containers proved pivotal, enhancing efficiency while significantly cutting load and unload times—a benefit that attracted a steady stream of customers over the years.

By the early 2000s, intermodal service had evolved to become a distinct business unit within J.B. Hunt. This strategic shift allowed the company to dedicate its focus to enhancing service quality and operational performance. By 2003, JBI had become J.B. Hunt’s largest revenue generator—a title it still holds today.

The milestones kept coming. JBI moved more than one million loads in a single calendar year for the first time in 2010, and by 2018, that number had climbed to an impressive two million loads annually. Fast forward to 2024, and the company shattered records yet again, setting new benchmarks for quarterly, monthly, and weekly intermodal volumes.

Partnerships That Drive Progress

Over its 35-year history, J.B. Hunt has built enduring relationships with all major rail providers across North America. These partnerships have been essential to refining operational efficiency and introducing innovative features. Notably, the company established onsite terminals and express gates to streamline service for its customers.

Expanding to meet international freight demands, J.B. Hunt opened its first transload facility in 2021. These have since grown to serve key ocean ports and the largest land entry point into the U.S. Additionally, a significant collaboration in 2023 saw J.B. Hunt team up with BNSF Railway and GMXT to launch a Mexico service via Eagle Pass, Texas. That same year, the company reintroduced its iconic Quantum service to serve the evolving needs of highway freight clients.

Sustainability at the Core

J.B. Hunt Intermodal is leading the shift from over-the-road freight transport to rail, which offers a far more sustainable alternative. Rail transport reduces a shipment’s carbon footprint by an average of 65% compared to traditional highway trucking. Over the last decade, JBI’s efforts have prevented the emission of approximately 30 million metric tons of CO2e. This environmentally-conscious approach forms a key part of the company’s commitment to sustainable growth.

Source: Truckers News

Image: J.B. Hunt

The post J.B. Hunt Celebrates 35 Years of Intermodal Excellence appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Celebrating LTL Carrier Excellence

“This is the ninth year of our annual LTL awards program, and we once again proudly recognize six of our top partners for being the best-of-the-best,” said Scott Frederick, CMO and LTL Carrier Relations for Logistics Plus. “It was another competitive year, but Pitt, Estes, Ward, Dayton, RIST and LET provided the best overall performance across our partnership ratings. Congratulations to all.”

2024 Award Winners

The six carriers recognized as champions for 2024 and their awards are as follows:

• Pitt Ohio – Diamond Award: Pitt Ohio secures its first-ever top honors this year, marking its second consecutive year being recognized.

• Estes Express – Titanium Award: Estes continues its incredible streak with this being their 7th straight year earning this prestigious title.

• Ward Transport & Logistics – Platinum Award: Having now been honored seven times over the past eight years, Ward once again demonstrates its exemplary service.

• Dayton Freight – Gold Award: Dayton Freight has achieved its 9th consecutive recognition, maintaining its impeccable record for excellence.

• RIST Transport – Silver Award: Four consecutive years of performance recognition have earned RIST the Silver Award this year.

• Lake Erie Trucking – Bronze Award: Making it two years in a row, Lake Erie Trucking earns well-deserved accolades once more.

About Logistics Plus

Logistics Plus manages over 250,000 freight shipments annually and provides a full suite of transportation solutions. Through its proprietary platforms, eShipPlus and MyLogisticsPlus, companies gain access to MyFreightTrends dashboards, offering actionable business intelligence. Their services extend beyond LTL shipping to include truckload, expedited freight, international forwarding, claims management, freight audits, and other supply chain solutions.

Working with over 50 LTL carriers, Logistics Plus bases its annual awards on key performance criteria, including:

• Business volume and freight spend share

• Claims, billing accuracy, and overall service quality

• Pricing competitiveness, transit speed, and network coverage

• Customer service excellence and account representation

• Partnership characteristics and ease of collaboration

Source: The Trucker

The post Six LTL Carriers Honored by Logistics Plus with 2024 Awards appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

BlueGrace Logistics has announced the winners of its 2024 LTL Carrier Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the logistics industry. This year, Southeastern Freight Lines and Old Dominion Freight Line receive top honors for their exceptional service, operational reliability, and steadfast commitment to delivering value.

A Legacy of Excellence

“Our position as a leader in the LTL industry is built on partnerships with carriers who consistently deliver exceptional results,” said Bobby Harris, CEO. “Southeastern Freight Lines and Old Dominion Freight Line set the standard for operational excellence and customer support, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements with our 2024 LTL Carrier Awards.”

Recognizing Regional Excellence – Southeastern Freight Lines

Southeastern Freight Lines (SEFL) has been named Regional Carrier of the Year, a title that underscores their exceptional service throughout the Southeastern region. Known for their reliability and outstanding customer satisfaction, SEFL continues to be a key partner within BlueGrace’s logistics ecosystem.

“SEFL is extremely proud to celebrate 15 years of successful collaboration and partnership with BlueGrace Logistics,” shared Toby Toburen, director of 3PL National Accounts at SEFL. “This milestone is made even more special as we have been honored with their LTL ‘Carrier of the Year’ award for the second consecutive year. Our shared commitment to excellence has been the cornerstone of our enduring relationship. We deeply appreciate the trust and advocacy Bobby Harris and the entire BlueGrace team continue to provide, which has been instrumental in our continued success. Together, we look forward to many more years of setting new standards in the industry.”

Nationwide Leadership – Old Dominion Freight Line

Old Dominion Freight Line was awarded National Carrier of the Year, in recognition of their outstanding LTL services on a national scale. Leveraging an expansive network and advanced technology, Old Dominion has become a trusted partner in handling the complex logistics needs of BlueGrace’s clients across the country.

“We are honored to be again recognized by BlueGrace Logistics as their Long-Haul Carrier of the Year,” said Ed Garner, director of national accounts at Old Dominion. “Our relationship with BlueGrace has grown significantly through their strategic alignment of our service product with clients requiring a true value proposition in nationwide LTL services. We look forward to serving BlueGrace and our mutual clients in the future.”

The Importance of Partnership

BlueGrace Logistics emphasizes the significance of strong partnerships in driving excellence and value in the logistics industry. The 2024 LTL Carrier Awards highlight the vital role carriers like Southeastern Freight Lines and Old Dominion Freight Line play in delivering unmatched service to the company’s customers.

“BlueGrace expresses its gratitude to Southeastern Freight Lines and Old Dominion Freight Line for their unwavering dedication and top-tier service,” the company wrote. “These awards highlight the strength of the partnerships cultivated over time and the significant impact these collaborations have on the logistics industry.”

Source: The Trucker

The post BlueGrace Logistics Honors Outstanding LTL Carriers in 2024 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“ATRI’s RAC members serve a critical role in identifying and prioritizing the trucking industry’s top research needs,” said Rebecca Brewster, ATRI president. “We received over 160 applications from individuals interested in serving as RAC members. We congratulate all those appointed by the ATRI Board to serve in this important role and look forward to working with them.”

Each year, RAC members are responsible for setting research priorities that address critical issues impacting the trucking sector. Representing a wide range of stakeholders—including motor carriers, suppliers, drivers, shippers, law enforcement, academia, and government—the committee reflects the diverse nature of the industry.

Andy Owens, CEO of A&M Transport, has been named Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee for this term. The full list of 2025-2026 RAC members includes a remarkable lineup of professionals bringing their expertise to support ATRI’s mission.

Industry Leaders Appointed as 2025-2026 RAC Members

• Lindsay Bur, Director of Data Science and Economics, American Trucking Associations

• Robb McCaig, Senior Director of Spend and Analytics, Trimac

• Sheri Call, President and CEO, Washington Trucking Associations

• Steve McKeta, Director of Private Fleet Maintenance, Walmart Transportation

• Jeremy Carmichael, Vice President of Operations, Ruan Transportation Management Systems

• Carson Davidenko, Executive Advisor – Custom Critical Operations, FedEx Freight

• Vallie Dugas, Vice President and General Counsel, Melton Truck Lines

• George Gerth, Vice President of Safety, Carter Express Inc.

• Frank Granieri, COO of Supply Chain Solutions, A. Duie Pyle

• Ben Greenberg, President and CEO, North Carolina Trucking Association

• Josh Hankins, Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, and Driver Personnel, J.B. Hunt Transport Inc.

• Robert Howard, President and COO, Dohrn Transfer Company

• Rich Johnson, Vice President of Business Readiness, Werner Enterprises

• Aravind Kailas, Advanced Technology Policy Director, Volvo Group North America

• Andrew King, Assistant Director of Operations, OOIDA Foundation

• Tim Kordula, Vice President of Risk Management, Skinner Transfer Corporation

• Anne-Marie Forbes Lynn, Director of Business Development and Marketing, U.S. Legal Services

• Mark Manera, Founder and CEO, Offshift

• Chad Marsilio, COO, PGT Trucking Inc.

• Robert Meyer, Vice President of Corporate Transportation, UPS

• Graig Moran, President and Co-Owner, Brown Dog Carriers

• Brad Nelson, President, FreedomTrucks of America

• Randy Obermeyer, Vice President of Safety and Maintenance, Online Transport

• Misti Olszewski, Vice President of Enterprise Safety, Covenant Logistics

• Ted Perryman, Managing Attorney, Roberts Perryman P.C.

• Emily Plummer, America’s Road Team Captain, Prime Inc.

• Todd Reiser, Senior Vice President, Lockton Companies

• Joseph Romero, Captain, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau, New Mexico State Police

• Robyn Smith, Director of Driver Relations, May Trucking Company

• Glissel Soliz, Senior Director of Transportation Operations and 3PL, Coca-Cola North America

• Sam Waltzer, Director of SmartWay and Supply Chain Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Kyle Weaver, Assistant General Counsel, K.L. Breeden & Sons

• Adam Whitney, Vice President of Cummins On-Highway Sales in Canada, Cummins Inc.

• Jeffrey Wojtowicz, Senior Transportation Engineer/Operations Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• Lynette Woodie, Manager of Loss Prevention and Administration, ArcBest Corporation

These members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will help ATRI address emerging challenges and opportunities in the trucking industry. With a clear focus on innovation and collaboration, this RAC cohort is poised to help shape the industry’s future.

Source: The Trucker

The post ATRI Names Members for 2025-2026 Research Advisory Committee appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.