The flatbed transportation market, which includes heavy hauling companies, is an essential component of the transportation industry. Flatbed trucks are primarily used to transport large, heavy, or bulky items, such as construction equipment, machinery, and building materials. In recent years, the flatbed transportation market and heavy hauling companies have experienced significant growth. “Heavy hauling companies like Momentum Transportation, an award-winning Landstar agent, have experienced tremendous growth largely resulting from the technology infrastructure and clean energy sectors” says David Hoppens, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Momentum.
At Momentum Transportation, we have a hunch that demand growth among heavy hauling companies will be much more aggressive. And that this growth will be dependent on both attracting and retaining the experienced drivers with the skills to operate these specialized trailers, and also on getting access to the highly specialized heavy hauling trailer equipment such as perimeters, double drops, multi-axle lowboys, Dolly trailers and more, that are in short supply. In fact, our insights based on current market conditions lead us to believe production schedules for this type of equipment are booked out into 2025.
Trends in Heavy Hauling Companies and the Flatbed Transportation Market
In recent years, the heavy hauling industry and the flatbed transportation market have witnessed significant trends and challenges. One of the prominent issues has been equipment shortages, where the demand for specialized heavy hauling equipment has outpaced its supply. What’s more, the industry continues to grapple with a shortage of drivers, leading to increased competition for recruiting and retaining talent. Technology is coming to the forefront with an ability to enhance operational efficiency and improve safety. Finally, as with many other industries, sustainability has emerged as a significant focus. In this section, we’ll dig into these critical trends a bit more deeply.
1. Equipment shortages are here for a while.
Manufacturing and purchasing for specialized equipment in the heavy hauling space is a hot commodity! There is a shortage of available trucks and equipment, and that constraint is driving up the cost of transportation and also impacting on-time delivery of products. Simply put, if you can’t get the equipment to make a heavy haul move, it’s not going to happen.
At Momentum, one of our strategies for managing the heavy haul equipment shortage includes forging strong bonds with existing heavy haul specialized drivers and new recruits by engaging them with steady heavy haul business growth that allows and justifies investment in these expensive specialized trailers. We do this by working collaboratively with them and our carrier partners matching our forecasted heavy haul equipment needs with manufacturers’ available production line space, ensuring that the equipment our customers need is available when they need it.
In fact, thanks to these partnerships, Landstar boasts the #1 Largest Specialized Fleet, as ranked by American Cranes & Transport. We have 1,400 step decks, 200+ stretch extendables, 500 lowboys (and beyond!) in our fleet with over 90,700 tons of capacity!
2. For nearly two decades, the transportation industry has been working to close a serious and growing talent gap to hire drivers.
The American Trucking Association estimates a need for approximately 1.2 million new drivers over the next decade — just to replace those who will be retiring. Currently, there is a shortage of 78,000 drivers. There are many causes for the driver shortage, including an aging workforce, and a lack of younger drivers entering the industry. This shortage is driving up wages and benefits for drivers, if you can even find them at all.
Despite the shortage, through our relationship with Landstar’s Business Capacity Owners (BCO’s), Momentum has one of the best driver workforces in the industry. We make it a point to retain drivers, and we provide them with the training, on-the-job experiences, and safety skills necessary to move the most complex heavy haul shipments. In fact, Landstar has 174% lower driver turnover compared to all other US Carriers, according to data from the Truckload Carriers Association.
3. Technological advancements among heavy hauling companies
The flatbed transportation market is witnessing technological advancements to improve efficiency and safety. For instance, some heavy haul companies are using GPS and telematics technology to track the location of their trucks, monitor driver behavior, and optimize routes. “Our drivers are required to track by either ELD or a 3rd party tracking application so that we have visibility to our shipments 24hrs a day” explains Becky Scott, Director of Key Account Sales at Momentum Transportation.
Momentum, a leader among heavy hauling companies, takes the use of technology even further through robust project management software operated by our expert project managers for heavy haul shipments. Our project management software facilitates detailed tactical planning calls with all the stakeholders in a heavy haul shipment, and helps efficiently manage every aspect of complex, time sensitive ship plans.
4. Sustainability
The flatbed transportation industry is increasingly focused on sustainability. Several companies across transportation are using alternative fuels and electric-powered vehicles to reduce their carbon footprint. As it specifically relates to heavy hauling companies, Momentum Transportation takes a proactive approach to eliminating empty miles — that is, miles traveled without any freight on the vehicle. We also optimize routes to reduce overall miles travel and the related carbon emissions unnecessary miles produced. As engine technologies continue to advance, even cleaner emissions are also on the horizon.
For the team at Momentum and Landstar, sustainability is about more than just emissions; it’s also about responsible business practices in safety, environmental stewardship and partner relationships. Read Landstar’s Corporate Sustainability Report (2022), for more detailed information at: View PDF
The flatbed transportation market and heavy hauling companies are an essential component of the global transportation industry, and it is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to increased demand for construction and industrial products. However, the industry is facing several challenges, including driver shortages and capacity constraints, which could impact the cost of transportation services. The industry is also witnessing technological advancements and a growing focus on sustainability, which could improve efficiency and reduce the industry’s environmental impact.
Let Us Be Your Most Trusted Partner among Heavy Hauling Companies
Landstar offers a global transportation network built for the 21st century. Compared to an ordinary logistics company, Landstar is among the safest trucking companies you can work with as demonstrated by our industry-leading safety performance statistics. We offer reliable transportation capacity with greater visibility and flexibility to meet our customers’ evolving needs.
Landstar is a $5.3 billion company with 1,100 operating agency offices, over 9,800 trucks, more than 18,500 trailers, plus over 76,000 3rd party capacity partners. More than 25,000 businesses worldwide count on Landstar to deliver, because they know Landstar can handle whatever customers send our way. If you’re looking for the leader among heavy hauling companies, we have a solution for you!
Contact Momentum today at www.landstar-agent.com