Flatbed

News and analysis of flatbed rates, capacity, supply, demand, economics, technology, regulation, strategies

The latest Flatbed News & Analysis

US manufacturing data offers mixed bag for truck carriers: analyst

Jason Miller, associate professor of logistics at Michigan State University, and JOC analyst | Apr 18, 2023, 12:29 PM EDT

Despite negative trends being felt in some parts of the US manufacturing landscape, it’s not all bad news for trucking because other sectors are poised to have volumes at or above 2022 levels, writes analyst Jason Miller.
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US flatbed trucking activity sees early regional revival: DAT

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 15, 2023, 5:06 PM EST

Demand for flatbed tractor-trailers is rising along the Gulf Coast and Southeast, buoyed by project cargo, shifting freight patterns, and a warmer-than-normal winter, DAT Freight & Analytics says.
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US spot flatbed capacity rising as housing starts, manufacturing decline

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 25, 2023, 12:46 PM EST

Demand for flatbed trucks on DAT Freight & Analytics’ spot load boards is at a seven-year low for January, creating excess capacity that is keeping pressure on rates. 
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Home Depot offers flatbed capacity to shippers

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Sep 30, 2021, 1:11 PM EDT

Digital brokerage Loadsmart and Home Depot are launching an automated, supply-led flatbed booking platform that will help the retailer “share” its dedicated truck capacity with other shippers.
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LTL carrier Estes Express bids on NEMF flatbed assets

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 26, 2019, 2:42 PM EDT

An infusion of trucks and tractors from bankrupt NEMF would help Estes stretch its service offerings further beyond LTL and deeper into flatbed and dedicated truckload markets.
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Surging US flatbed demand delays service

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | May 14, 2018, 9:54 AM EDT

A confluence of factors has created very strong demand for flatbed trucks in the United States, resulting in the longest waiting lists in recent history — shippers are advised to remain patient.
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Universal Truckload Services highlights logistics as flatbed volume sags

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 26, 2016, 12:07 PM EST

Weak demand for energy and steel products sapped loads from the flatbed trailers operated by Universal Truckload Services in the fourth quarter, pulling transportation revenue down 9.1 percent to $177.5 million, the trucking and logistics company said Thursday.
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DAT spot market van truck rates drop; flatbed, reefer rates hold

JOC Staff | Aug 26, 2015, 5:53 PM EDT

Lower fuel prices are putting more trucks on the road, helping to keep a cap on spot market truck rates, DAT Solutions said. Van rates dropped in the last week, while refrigerated and flatbed rates remained the same.
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Flatbed hauler Daseke tops list of fastest-growing US trucking firms

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 2, 2015, 9:02 PM EDT

A flatbed and specialized freight carrier and two auto transport companies were the fastest-growing businesses on a list of the 50 largest U.S. trucking firms last year. Most companies on the list grew faster as the U.S. economy accelerated in 2014.
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