Quest for Quality 2022: Less than Truckload (LTL)

As our trucking correspondent John Schulz reported last month in our comprehensive State of Logistics report, the $83 billion less-than-truckload (LTL) sector is booming, thanks to demand from the active e-commerce sector, better pricing strategies and an effective lid on capacity because of expenses associated with building costly hub-and-spoke networks.

Indeed, LTL carriers now find themselves firmly in command of a tight capacity market as the sector takes advantage of the growing volume of last-mile, time-
sensitive deliveries. At the same time, rate hikes can be expected. However, many reports point to savvy shippers now working more closely with their carriers to avoid the bulk of those increases through elimination of wasteful practices.

“Analysts and carrier executives we’ve interviewed over the past year agree that for the next year or two at least, carriers will have the upper hand in rate negotiations because capacity will remain tight and LTL options will be limited,” adds Schulz. “So, now is the time to engage in those improved shipper/carrier partnerships we’ve been advocating over the years.”

Well, we can be certain that the 20 LTL carriers taking home Quest for Quality gold in 2022 have gone the extra mile in working with their shipper partners to create a service experience that’s been equal to the e-commerce task.

In our National LTL Carriers category this year, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) posted an impressive 48.43 weighted score this year, the top overall mark among the six winners in this category. ODFL lead the way in On-time Performance (11.94), Information Technology (8.20), Customer Service (9.80), and Equipment & Operations (8.87). R+L Carriers put up the top score in the Value attribute (9.68).

National LTL Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

A.Duie Pyle posted a 48.15 overall weighted score in our Northeast/Mid-Atlantic category this year, the top score among the three winners in this region. The carrier scored top marks in On-time Performance (11.48), Information Technology (8.12), Customer Service (9.77), and Equipment & Operations (8.63). Ward Transport & Logistics posted a 10.43, the top mark in the Value attribute.

Surface Package Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
Regional LTL Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

In the South/South Central, Southeastern Freight Lines racked up an impressive 50.40 overall weighted score, putting up solid numbers across all the attribute categories in the region. While in the Midwest/North Central, Moran Transportation racked up a category leading 57.17 overall weighted score, one of the highest in the entire 2022 Quest for Quality survey.

South/South Central
Regional LTL Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

Midwest/North Central
Regional LTL Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

Western
Regional LTL Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)

Source: Logistics Management, Peerless Research Group (PRG)

This year we find five winners in the hotly-contested Western region. Lynden Transport rolled in with a 52.54 overall weighted score this year, as the carrier put up top marks in On-time Performance (12.13) and Information Technology (8.58). Honolulu Freight lead the way in Value (11.85) and Equipment & Operations (9.68), while Peninsula Truck Lines scored an impressive 12.03 in the all-important Customer Service attribute this year.

And in the always tight Surface Package category, UPS Ground put up a 46.42 overall weighted score, edging out FedEx Ground’s 44.81. It seems the two industry bellwethers swap top spot every year, with UPS putting up top marks in each of the attribute categories this year, a feat FedEx pulled off last year.
 

2022 Quest for Quality Winners Categories

• 39th Annual Quest for Quality Awards 2022: Service prevails through trying times
• LTL
• TRUCKLOAD
• RAIL/INTERMODAL
• OCEAN CARRIERS
• PORTS
• 3PL
• AIR CARRIERS and FREIGHT FORWARDERS