The truckload (TL) sector has always been cast as the engine driving innovation in the trucking industry. But, today, it's playing the part of a shrinking giant.
In fact, TL carriers reduced capacity by an estimated 7 percent last year as the segment coped with a serious recession that has caused double-digit drops in tonnage demand. Due to declining rates, some leading TL carriers have diversified away from their typecast roles in pure dry van freight into other transport segments. According to the readers of Logistics Management (LM), 29 carriers have taken to their more diversified roles nicely, meeting high service levels while juggling more demands.