Quest for Quality 2022: Truckload

Again this year, winners in this TL category posted some of the strongest overall weighted scores of our survey.


As group news editor Jeff Berman reported last month in LM as part of his 2022 Truckload Roundtable, last year at this time the truckload market was booming due to the pandemic stimulus driving increased consumer spending, elevated rates, and hyper-tight capacity across U.S. highways.

“Fast forward a year later,” says Berman, “and we see demand ebbing down in tandem with rates coming off of record-high levels.” And while that may be good for shippers as we roll into the second half of the year, there’s still plenty for them to monitor in the form of record-high inflation and diesel prices, and, of course, the interminable need for truck drivers.

“Indeed, some of the previous challenges have lessened, but the current state of the TL market is far from fluid in terms of market equilibrium,” adds Berman. In fact, there are signs of what FTR, the Indianapolis-based trucking research firm, calls “signals of potentially weaker demand and softer rates.” They could temper that outlook should fuel costs remain in record territory.

In the midst of this topsy-turvy, $332 billion market, we’re happy to report that the 29 winners listed in the 2022 Quest for Quality Truckload category were, in the opinion of LM readers, able to provide strong, steady service over the course of one of the most volatile periods in a generation.

In fact, again this year, winners in this TL category posted some of the strongest overall weighted scores of our survey, with Allied Van Lines’ 56.04 coming in as one of the single highest scores in 2022.

Bulk Motor Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

  On-time
per­for­mance
Value Infor­mation
tech­nology
Customer
service
Equip­ment &
opera­tions
Weighted
score
Run Transport 11.78 9.87 7.49 10.83 8.53 48.50
Prime, Inc. 11.27 10.34 8.24 9.53 7.98 47.36
Ace Transportation 11.06 11.00 7.41 9.36 8.08 46.91
Superior Carriers 10.76 10.58 6.74 9.10 8.38 45.55
Miller Transporters, Inc. 10.76 9.87 6.74 10.40 7.19 44.96
AVERAGE 10.47 9.89 7.20 9.25 8.14 44.96

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

Dry Freight Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

  On-time
per­for­mance
Value Infor­mation
tech­nology
Customer
service
Equip­ment &
opera­tions
Weighted
score
Heartland Express 11.78 9.87 8.00 9.97 8.98 48.60
Averitt 11.53 9.73 7.49 9.53 8.98 47.25
CR. England 11.06 10.58 7.41 9.75 8.26 47.06
Schneider National 11.99 10.15 7.75 7.80 8.62 46.31
Crete Carrier Corp. 10.37 10.58 7.41 8.78 8.08 45.21
J.B. Hunt Transport Services 11.06 9.42 7.58 8.58 7.54 44.19
Landstar Transportation 10.85 7.99 7.73 9.18 8.24 43.08
Dart Transit Co. 11.06 10.58 6.74 7.80 7.18 43.36
Anderson Trucking Services 10.95 9.06 7.22 7.80 8.21 43.25
AVERAGE 10.52 9.14 7.06 8.60 7.92 43.25

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

Expedited Motor Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

  On-time
per­for­mance
Value Infor­mation
tech­nology
Customer
service
Equip­ment &
opera­tions
Weighted
score
Averitt 12.29 9.87 8.76 9.75 9.57 50.25
OD Expedited 11.53 10.58 8.43 9.75 9.87 50.15
Panther Premium Logistics 12.91 10.15 7.41 10.92 8.62 50.01
Dayton Freight 12.15 10.38 8.27 8.86 9.79 49.46
UPS Supply Chains Solutions (Coyote Logistics) 11.60 9.52 8.24 9.19 8.33 46.89
Pitt Ohio Fast Track 10.54 10.27 7.70 9.47 7.69 45.68
AVERAGE 10.80 9.32 7.50 8.75 8.30 44.67

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

Industrial and Heavy-Haul Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

  On-time
per­for­mance
Value Infor­mation
tech­nology
Customer
service
Equip­ment &
opera­tions
Weighted
score
Prime, Inc. 12.10 11.10 7.58 10.03 9.42 50.24
Pacer Transport 12.29 11.28 7.86 10.40 8.38 50.21
Melton Truck Lines 10.76 8.46 6.74 10.40 10.77 47.13
Universal 11.53 9.87 6.74 9.10 7.18 44.42
Roehl Transport 11.16 9.51 6.74 8.78 7.90 44.09
AVERAGE 10.87 9.32 6.74 8.72 8.35 44.00

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

Household Goods and
High-Value Goods Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

  On-time
per­for­mance
Value Infor­mation
tech­nology
Customer
service
Equip­ment &
opera­tions
Weighted
score
Allied Van Lines 13.25 11.63 9.69 11.21 10.26 56.04
Bekins Van Lines 12.29 11.28 8.99 10.40 9.57 52.53
Arpin Van Lines 11.53 10.58 8.43 9.75 10.77 51.05
Mayflower Transit 12.29 10.58 7.30 10.40 9.57 50.14
AVERAGE 11.89 10.46 8.34 10.06 9.31 50.06

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)
 


Article Topics

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Transportation
Motor Freight
FTR
Motor Freight
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