A trucking provider to the air cargo industry, Forward Air, reports both income and revenue during the first quarter of the year moved higher.
Forward Air Earnings Improve in First Quarter
A trucking provider to the air cargo industry, Forward Air, reports both income and revenue during the first quarter of the year moved higher, despite a more challenging operating environment than expected.
Net income increased to $10.9 million from $10.3 million in the prior-year quarter while revenue increased 3.3% to $141.6 million from $137.1 million for the same quarter in 2012.
“The first quarter proved to be a more challenging operating environment than we originally expected, said Bruce A. Campbell, Chairman, President, and CEO. “Airport-to-airport volumes, which were up slightly at the beginning of the period, did not show their typical end-of-quarter strength. Beyond a continued weakness in the overall macroeconomic environment, we were challenged by consistently harsh weather throughout the quarter as well as increased irrational pricing from our competition.”
Rodney L. Bell, Senior Vice President and CFO, said he believes the company will see second quarter revenue increase between 12% to 18% over the same period last year. “We estimate that approximately 9% of that growth will result from the TQI acquisition”
In early March Forward air purchased Total Quality Inc. a provider of maximum security and temperature-controlled services to the pharmaceutical and life science industries for approximately $66 million.
More details on the company’s first quarter performance is on the Forward Air web site.
More Fleet Management

ATA’s Spear Warns Fuel Prices, Trade Policy, and Global Conflict Could Stall Trucking Recovery
Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.
Read More →
New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?
More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Invited to Apply for Exclusive HDT Exchange Event
HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.
Read More →
DAT Launches iPhone Widget to Help Owner-Operators Find Loads Faster
New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.
Read More →
Optimal Dynamics Launches AI System to Help Carriers Choose Better Freight
Optimal Dynamics says its new Scale platform uses AI agents and optimization to help carriers find and secure freight that improves network balance and profitability.
Read More →
DAT: Flatbed Demand Climbs as Van and Reefer Rates Soften
DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.
Read More →
Run on Less “Messy Middle” Data Shows Multiple Paths Forward for Truck Powertrains [Watch]
NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle project demonstrates the power of data in helping to guide the future of alternative fuels and powertrains for heavy-duty trucks.
Read More →
Federal Court Lets NYC Congestion Pricing Continue
A federal court ruling allows New York City’s congestion pricing program to continue, leaving truck tolls in place for fleets delivering into Manhattan.
Read More →
Fontaine Modification Launches Real-Time Truck Modification Tracking Portal
Fontaine Modification has introduced a new customer portal designed to give fleets real-time visibility into the truck modification process, addressing one of the most common questions fleet managers face: “Where’s my truck?”
Read More →
FTR: Trucking Conditions Index Climbs to Highest Level Since 2022
Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.
Read More →
