The Great Freight Recession shows no sign of ending anytime soon, as more iconic trucking companies permanently shut their doors.

In some cases, shipping companies declared bankruptcy, with about 21 firms filing petitions in the third quarter of 2025 and 20 companies in the second quarter.

Major trucking companies also shut down facilities or whole businesses without filing for bankruptcy.

J.B. Hunt Transport, 10 Roads Express close facilities

Giant trucking company J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. closed its facility at the Home Depot Distribution Center in Lithonia, Ga., on Oct. 27, 2025, and U.S. Postal Service trucking contractor 10 Roads Express revealed plans to end its mail hauling business and shut down all operations by the end of January 2026.

Neither of those companies filed for bankruptcy.

10 Roads Express submitted a 60-day Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice on Dec. 1 with a final layoff date of Jan. 30, 2026. About 2,000 workers will be laid off.

10 Roads Express was U.S. Postal Service contractor

The Carter Lake, Iowa, transportation and logistics company, which reported 2,462 power units and 2,606 drivers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration SAFER website, was established in 1946 and contracted with the U.S. Postal Service for 47 years.

10 Roads Express decided to wind down its operations after continued and significant headwinds impacted the transportation industry and the company, whose primary customer is the U.S. Postal Service, it said in a statement. The company also hauls commercial products.

“Our industry has been navigating unprecedented challenges, and despite the dedication of our employees and leadership, the realities of the industry have become impossible to overcome,” a 10 Roads spokesperson said in a statement sent to TheStreet.

Standard Forward Freight has closed down its business.

Shutterstock

Standard Forwarding Freight shuts down operations

And now, less-than-truckload shipping company Standard Forwarding Freight, which operated in 16 states, closed its business on Dec. 29, terminating employees. It has not indicated its next step.

The East Moline, Ill.-based trucking company said in a statement on its website that it is suspending its day-to-day operations.

Certain company drivers asserted they were notified on Dec. 28 that they were terminated and that the company was permanently closing, FreightWaves reported.

“Effective December 29, 2025, following a comprehensive strategic review of the business, Standard Forwarding Freight, LLC made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend its day-to-day operations and reduce its workforce,” the company said in the statement.

Company considers next steps

“This decision was made after careful consideration of the company’s current circumstances and the need to conduct an orderly evaluation of the business,” the statement said. “During this period, Standard Forwarding Freight, LLC will undertake an operational assessment to determine appropriate next steps.”

“Standard Forwarding Freight LLC thanks those who have supported the business and acknowledged 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.

Shutdown was unexpected

“This news was completely unexpected, as Standard Forwarding had never previously 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 next-day and two-day regional trucking company with 14 terminals across five Midwest states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

More closings:

  • Casual Mexican restaurant chain closes more locations
  • 79-year-old national trucking company closes down, no bankruptcy
  • 65-year-old Home Depot rival shutters business permanently

The trucking company, however, had expanded its LTL service lanes to 11 more states, including Arizona, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, and Utah, according to an Aug. 15, 2025, statement.

Standard Forwarding Freight also offered cross-border shipping between the U.S. and Canada.

Standard Forwarding Freight’s service lanes:

  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • 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 website, filed on Sept. 15, 2025. The SAFER filing listed the company’s cargo as general freight; metal sheets, coils, and rolls; logs, poles, beams, and lumber; building materials, liquids and gases; grain, feed, and hay; chemicals; commodities dry bulk; and agricultural/farm supplies.

Standard Forwarding Freight’s cargo

  • General freight
  • Metal sheets, coils, and rolls
  • Logs, poles, beams, and lumber
  • Building materials
  • Liquids and gases
  • Grain, feed, and hay
  • Chemicals
  • Commodities dry bulk
  • Agricultural/farm supplies

DHL Freight owned Standard Forwarding Freight from 2011 until Sakaem Holdings acquired the company in January 2025

Related: 70-year-old Mexican dining chain closes location, no bankruptcy