The Great Recession in trucking shows no signs of ending anytime soon, as several iconic trucking companies are closing their doors for good.
In some cases, shipping companies have filed for bankruptcy, with about 21 firms filing in the third quarter of 2025 and 20 companies in the second quarter.
Also, major trucking companies have closed facilities or entire businesses without filing for bankruptcy.
The giant trucking company JB Hunt Transport Inc. closed its facility at the Home Depot Distribution Center in Lithonia, Georgia on October 27, 2025, and the US Postal Service’s postal delivery contractor 10 Roads Express disclosed plans to end its mail delivery business and cease all operations by the end of January 2026.
None of these companies filed for bankruptcy.
10 Roads Express served a 60-day notice to adjust and retrain workers Dec. 1, with a final layoff date of Jan. 30, 2026. About 2,000 workers will be laid off.
The Carter Lake, Iowa-based transportation and logistics company, which reported 2,462 power units and 2,606 drivers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SAFER website, was founded in 1946 and contracted with the U.S. Postal Service for 47 years.
10 Roads Express decided to cease operations after continued and significant headwinds affected the shipping industry and the company, whose primary customer is the US Postal Service, it said in a statement. The company also carries commercial products.
“Our industry has gone through unprecedented challenges, and despite the dedication of our employees and leadership, the realities of the industry have become insurmountable,” a 10 Roads spokesperson said in a statement sent to TheStreet.
Standard Forward Freight has closed its business.Shutterstock” loading=”eager” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-lglytj loader”/>
Standard Forward Freight has closed its business.Shutterstock
And now the shipping company Standard Forwarding Freight, which operated in 16 states, closed its business on December 29, laid off its employees. He did not indicate his next step.
The East Moline, Illinois-based trucking company said in a statement on its website that it was suspending day-to-day operations.
Certain company drivers said they were notified on Dec. 28 that they were terminated and that the company was closing for good, FreightWaves reported.
“Effective December 29, 2025, following a comprehensive strategic review of the business, Standard Forwarding Freight, LLC has made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend its day-to-day operations and reduce its workforce,” the company said in a statement.
“This decision was made after careful consideration of the company’s current circumstances and the need to conduct an orderly business assessment,” the statement said. “During this period, Standard Forwarding Freight, LLC will conduct an operational assessment to determine the appropriate next steps.”
“Standard Forwarding Freight LLC thanks those who have supported the business and recognized the relationships developed throughout its operations,” the statement concluded.
The trucking company also has not indicated whether it plans to sell its assets or file for bankruptcy protection.
“This news was completely unexpected as Standard Forwarding has never communicated with our union any challenges or difficulties or attempted to work to avoid this outcome,” Teamsters National Freight Director Tom Murphy said in a Dec. 29 statement, according to FreightWaves.
The company, founded in 1934, operated as a regional day and two-day trucking company with 14 terminals in five Midwest states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
More closures:
However, the trucking company has expanded its LTL service lanes to 11 other states, including Arizona, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina and Utah, according to a statement dated Aug. 15, 2025.
Standard Forwarding Freight also offered cross-border shipping between the US and Canada.
Illinois
Indian
Iowa
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Arizona
California
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
Ohio
South Carolina
Utah
Canada
The trucking company listed 307 power units and 230 drivers on its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration SAFER site filed on September 15, 2025. The SAFER filing listed the company’s cargo as general cargo; Metal sheets, coils and rolls; logs, posts, beams and timber; construction materials, liquids and gases; grain, feed and hay; chemicals; dry bulk goods; and agricultural/farm goods.
General merchandise
Metal sheets, coils and rolls
Logs, posts, beams and lumber
Construction materials
Liquids and gases
Cereals, fodder and hay
Chemical products
Dry bulk goods
Agricultural/agricultural supplies
DHL Freight owned Standard Forwarding Freight from 2011 until Sakaem Holdings acquired the company in January 2025
Related: 70-year-old Mexican restaurant chain closes location, no bankruptcy
This story was originally published by TheStreet on January 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Auto section. Add TheStreet as a favorite source by clicking here.
