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)
2022 Quest for Quality Winners Categories
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