Midwestern LTL carrier LME Inc. closes its doors

Roseville, Minnesota-based LME Inc., a Midwestern regional less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier, has shuttered its operations.

A notice on LME’s website that was posted yesterday, July 11, stated that: “Effective immediately LME will no longer be accepting any pickups,” and the link to its social media channels was no longer operable.

LME’s services included pool distribution, brokerage and logistics, according to its website, adding that it offered “100% blanket coverage is provided in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota & Wisconsin. Customers receive immediate access to critical shipment data through our comprehensive Web and EDI-based information systems.”

A customer e-mail from LME obtained by Logistics Management noted “as of the close of business today [July 11] LME, Inc. is closing the doors. Management is making arrangements to move any freight we have in house.”

A report in the Star Tribune noted that 30 LME delivery terminals in several states were abruptly shut down, calling it a move that left hundreds of workers laid off with no notice and at least some unpaid. And the article added that LME ownership also abruptly closed Lakeville Motors Express two and a half years ago, also with no notice, and began last month paying a multimillion-dollar settlement to those workers.

What’s more, the report added that the shuttering of LME comes one month after LME LLC began paying a multimillion settlement to 90 union workers who were abruptly locked out of work and laid off in November 2016 from Lakeville Motor Express.

“The workers filed complaints that Lakeville Motor essentially continued to operate as LME, but with cheaper, non-union labor,” the report said. “The state of Minnesota and the National Labor Relations Board ruled against the trucking firm, which operates in about five Midwestern states with roughly 600 workers. While the NLRB ruling resulted in one settlement in 2018, there are still unresolved lawsuits demanding millions from LME for allegedly violating pension obligations.”

LME was known as a strong Midwestern LTL service provider, providing regional options in the Chicago market to the Midwest, shippers told LM.

LME’s shuttering is one of a series of motor carriers whom have shut their doors this year, with other notables including New England Motor Freight and Falcon Transport, among others.