Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2024
NAICS OD5402Revenue
$13.2bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
33,140
Businesses
3,677
Wages
$X.Xbn
Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry analysis
Despite pandemic-era disruptions, the popularity of temperature-sensitive foods has kept demand for long-distance refrigerated trucking resilient. Sustained consumer spending on frozen foods, fruits, vegetables and meats insulated the industry from major trends and protected an essential lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, refrigerated truckers' revenue slipped in 2020 as plummeting diesel prices pushed them to remove fuel surcharges. Meanwhile, the industry's landscape has become more fragmented as manageable barriers to entry have made room for a flood of new entrants. Industry revenue has been climbing at a CAGR of 1.5% to an estimated $13.1 billion over the five years through 2024, despite a dip of 1.0% in 2024 alone.
Trends and Insights
- Refrigerated truckers' freight insulates them from economic shocks across the economy. While the COVID-19 pandemic halted many operations, refrigerated truckers were still needed to transport frozen and perishable foods.
- Wholesalers and retailers generate most of the industry's revenue. Most refrigerated truckers carry food for resale to consumers.
- The abundance of manufacturers in the Great Plains makes it a popular destination for refrigerated truckers. It is also near many trading ports, allowing companies to carry imports and exports.
- Refrigerated trucking has low barriers to entry. Anyone with a commercial driver's license (CDL), a truck and the proper equipment can begin competing in the industry. Over half the industry's long-distance refrigerated trucking enterprises are sole proprietors.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $13.2bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Downstream markets' reliance on refrigerated trucking brings security, even through global pandemics
- Temperature-sensitive food products are massively popular with consumers for a variety of reasons. Frozen foods cater to consumers' desire for convenience, while health consciousness drives demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. Beef, poultry and seafood are widely regarded as essential to a balanced and protein-filled diet.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Reliable demand will keep revenue trending upwards
- Long-distance refrigerated truckers will remain protected from external competition as other industries simply can't match truck transportation's quality, speed and flexibility. Refrigerated rail and air transportation companies aren't one-to-one substitutes for the industry.
Biggest companies in the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
C.R. England, Inc. | 664.5 | 55.6 | 8.4 | |
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | 324.7 | 30.4 | 9.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 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 Refrigerated truckload, Refrigerated intermodal trucking and Brokerage and logistics. Refrigerated truckload is the largest segment of the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US.
Trends and Insights
Refrigerated trucking is the industry's backbone
- Refrigerated truckload transportation involves the long-distance transportation of temperature-sensitive goods. These services comprise over 75.0% of the industry's revenue.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Rail Transportation in the US
- Local Specialized Freight Trucking in the US
Complementors
- Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US
- Tank & Refrigeration Trucking in the US
- Ocean & Coastal Transportation in the US
International industries
- Long-Distance 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
Industry operators provide long-distance refrigerated trucking services, moving climate-sensitive products ranging from meat and poultry to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, among other goods. Goods are typically transported from manufacturers to wholesalers and retailers throughout the country. This industry excludes any regional transportation services that can be completed in under a day.
What's included in this industry?
Providing refrigerated truckload servicesProviding ancillary services like brokerage and logistics servicesProviding ancillary services like dedicated servicesProviding ancillary services like dry van truckload servicesCompanies
C.R. England, Inc.Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
REEFERSFLEET TELEMATICSCOMPLIANCE, SAFETY, ACCOUNTABILITY (CSA)Industry Code
NAICS 48412 - Long-Distance Refrigerated 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
Refrigerated truckers' freight insulates them from economic shocks across the economy. While the COVID-19 pandemic halted many operations, refrigerated truckers were still ne...
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
Wholesalers and retailers generate most of the industry's revenue. Most refrigerated truckers carry food for resale to consumers.
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 abundance of manufacturers in the Great Plains makes it a popular destination for refrigerated truckers. It is also near many trading ports, allowing companies to carry i...
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
Refrigerated trucking has low barriers to entry. Anyone with a commercial driver's license (CDL), a truck and the proper equipment can begin competing in the industry. Over h...
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
In April 2021, C.R. England (C.R.) announced its largest driver pay raise in company history. C.R. estimated that drivers would make 35.0% more than the previous year.
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 C.R. England, 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
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for C.R. England, 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
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry receives little government assistance. Trade organizations somewhat make up for a lack of federal support by advocating for pro-industry legislation and providin...
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
Fuel is one of the top expenses for refrigerated truckers, and prices can be volatile. Trucking companies can usually pass these costs down to customers in the form of fuel s...
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 Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States is $13.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in 2024?
There are 3,677 businesses in the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking market in United States are C.R. England, Inc. and Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
What does the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US in United States include?
Providing refrigerated truckload services and Providing ancillary services like brokerage and logistics services are part of the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is C.R. England, Inc..
How competitive is the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US industry in United States.
