Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: July 2024
NAICS 48422Revenue
$68.3bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
263k
Businesses
67,331
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry analysis
Local specialized freight truckers performed well during the current period, but revenue was volatile. Solid economic conditions increased spending on local specialized freight trucking in the years right before the pandemic, as high wages and consumer spending generated the need for specialized freight trucking from the retail, manufacturing and other relevant sectors. COVID-19 caused consumer spending, industrial production and fuel prices to sink, contributing to a significant drop in revenue in 2020. Recent economic disruptions have created new problems for the industry. The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates in response to high inflation, inhibiting demand for construction, a sector that often local specialized freight trucking services. Overall, revenue for local specialized freight truckers is expected to rebound at a CAGR of 3.2% during the current period, reaching $68.3 billion in 2024, including a 0.6% increase in that year.
Trends and Insights
- Local specialized freight truckers saw a revenue surge because of robust economic growth during the recovery. However, economic uncertainty following the surge has negatively impacted the industry, leading to contracting demand and financial challenges.
- Dry bulk transportation has underperformed because of high interest rates. Conversely, bulk liquid and gas transportation have thrived, buoyed by soaring natural gas production. Geopolitical factors and global energy demands have propelled the success of these segments.
- The Great Lakes region, home to numerous large manufacturers, demands substantial steel and machinery supplies. Meeting this need necessitates many specialized freight truckers who ensure efficient material transportation, supporting regional industry operations and driving economic growth.
- Becoming a local specialized freight trucker requires little capital, so many small companies are prominent in the industry. This makes it difficult for large companies to gain market share, keeping market share concentration low and internal competition relatively high.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $68.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Strong economic conditions prior to the period spurred demand for trucking
- In the late 2010s, the US underwent rapid GDP growth, reaching the peak of a decade-long expansion after the 2008 financial crisis. Strong economic conditions led to record-low unemployment, rapid wage increases and high disposable income per person. These factors encouraged high consumer spending, which boosted demand in the retail, manufacturing and construction sectors.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The growing economy will boost downstream demand
- Despite current concerns regarding high inflation, rising interest rates and recessionary fears, the economy is expected to perform well during the outlook period.
Biggest companies in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hunt J B Transport Services Inc. | 15,370.4 | 1,430.4 | 9.3 | |
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | 6,879.8 | 925.2 | 13.4 | |
Ruan Transportation Management Systems | 1,416.2 | 108.6 | 7.7 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 18 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Dry bulk transportation, Bulk liquid and gas transportation and Waste transportation and disposal. Dry bulk transportation is the largest segment of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US.
Trends and Insights
Weak construction demand has inhibited dry bulk transporation
- Dry bulk transportation involves the movement of goods such as metals, coal, grains, gravel and sand, which haven't been packaged before being put onto trucks.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Inland Water Transportation in the US
Complementors
- Local Freight Trucking in the US
- Moving Services in the US
- Tank & Refrigeration Trucking in the US
International industries
- Local Freight Trucking in Canada
- Road Freight Transport in Australia
- Road Freight Transport in New Zealand
- Freight Road Transport in the UK
- Freight Road Transport in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Local specialized freight truckers offer specialized road transportation for cargo using trucks and trailers. These companies provide trucking within metropolitan areas that may cross state lines, taking trips that are often same-day returns. Specialized freight transportation is the movement of cargo that requires specialized equipment for transportation because of the shipment’s size, weight and shape.
What's included in this industry?
Dry bulk transportationBulk liquid and gas transportationWaste transportation and disposalLivestock transportationClimate-controlled transportationAutomobile transportationOther transportationOther servicesCompanies
Hunt J B Transport Services Inc.Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.Ruan Transportation Management SystemsPurchase this report to view all 18 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
LESS-THAN-TRUCKLOADTRUCKLOADFUEL SURCHARGEJUST-IN-TIME (JIT)Industry Code
NAICS 48422 - Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Local specialized freight truckers saw a revenue surge because of robust economic growth during the recovery. However, economic uncertainty following the surge has negatively...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Dry bulk transportation has underperformed because of high interest rates. Conversely, bulk liquid and gas transportation have thrived, buoyed by soaring natural gas producti...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Great Lakes region, home to numerous large manufacturers, demands substantial steel and machinery supplies. Meeting this need necessitates many specialized freight trucke...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Becoming a local specialized freight trucker requires little capital, so many small companies are prominent in the industry. This makes it difficult for large companies to ga...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
One larger local specialized freight trucking company is Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. This industry giant employs nearly 28,000 individuals and accounts for over...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Hunt J B Transport Services Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Ruan Transportation Management Systems's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 15 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Hunt J B Transport Services Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ruan Transportation Management Systems, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 15 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Local specialized freight truckers are regulated in various ways, including fuel emissions laws, food safety rules and driving regulations. They must adhere to vehicle mainte...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Despite high fuel prices, local specialized freight truckers have mostly passed high costs onto consumers through surcharges. This practice has increased their profit, as the...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States is $68.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in 2024?
There are 67,331 businesses in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking market in United States are Hunt J B Transport Services Inc., Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. and Ruan Transportation Management Systems
What does the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US in United States include?
Dry bulk transportation and Bulk liquid and gas transportation are part of the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Hunt J B Transport Services Inc..
How competitive is the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US industry in United States.
