MENU
SEARCHHeartland Express Inc. plans to integrate the U.S. operations of Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI) into Heartland Express, effective December 31.
CFI is undergoing yet another rebranding, as it's integrated into Heartland Express.
Photo: CFI
Truckload giant Heartland Express Inc. plans to integrate the U.S. operations of Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI) into Heartland Express, effective December 31.
Heartland Express bought Contract Freighters’ non-dedicated truckload business from TFI International in 2022 in its largest acquisition ever, creating a giant in the irregular-route truckload space.
CFI Logistica, S.A, de C.V., the Company’s Mexican operations subsidiary, will not be impacted.
“CFI’s sequential operating performance has improved during 2025, supported by the completion of our transportation management system conversion during the first quarter of 2025 and our transition to a unified driver electronic logging device and communication system with Heartland Express in the second quarter of 2025,” said CEO Mike Gerdin in a news release.
“Given this progress and the current status of our industry, we believe that integrating and rebranding CFI into Heartland Express is the next logical step in enhancing our consolidated operating and financial performance.”
Heartland Express says the integration will give CFI drivers access to a better pay package.
Photo: Heartland Express
Gerdin also cited a desire to align CFI drivers’ pay package with the Heartland Express pay package, which he said would give the CFI drivers an increased compensation and benefits package.
Drivers will remain in their current trucks and have the option to choose any of the pay packages in the legacy Heartland Fleet.
Drivers will also have the option to run in the fleets of other Heartland subsidiaries, Millis Transfer or Smith Transport.
“Customers will benefit from increased capacity within the integrated fleets, allowing us to continue to provide the committed, on-time service our customers have come to expect.”
The company expects to keep the current CFI offices in Joplin, Missouri (the current headquarters of CFI), as well as West Memphis, Arkansas, and Laredo, Texas.
It also plans to offer all current CFI employees the opportunity to continue working for Heartland Express.
Millis and Smith will remain in their current status.
“We are currently assessing whether the integration and rebranding of CFI will have any impact on the value of the goodwill and other intangible assets associated with CFI,” Gerdin said.
The unanimous SCOTUS ruling in the closely watched Montgomery v. Caribe case allows state negligence claims against freight brokers that hire unsafe motor carriers, raising new liability and vetting concerns among brokers.
Read More →
FMCSA's long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls. And there are steps you need to take by May 14.
Read More →
New Fleet Advantage research shows generative AI adoption has exploded among private fleets. But poor data integration and weak ROI tracking are preventing fleets from unlocking AI’s full operational and financial value.
Read More →
Seven years into deploying Phillips Connect’s smart trailer platform, Nussbaum Transportation has extended trailer life from 10 to 15 years.
Read More →
How a former commercial vehicle enforcement officer turned director of safety at K&B Transportation is embracing real-world safety technology.
Read More →
When the unexpected happens, how you react to, and deal with operational blind spots is critical. Here’s how to keep you recovery on track, when nothing is normal.
Read More →
As fleets adopt artificial intelligence for routing, maintenance, and load matching, new security risks are emerging. Learn where the vulnerabilities are and how to put the right controls in place.
Read More →
CargoNet reports fewer supply chain crime events to start 2026. But losses hold steady as organized crime shifts tactics toward impersonation schemes and high-value goods.
Read More →
Heavy Duty Trucking is searching for forward-looking leaders at trucking fleets as nominations for HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators 2026. Deadline is May 15.
Read More →
Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.
Read More →
