Roadrunner Transportation was the fastest growing-company among the top 25 less-than-truckload carriers last year, according to the Journal of Commerce.


The study, done for JOC by SJ Consulting Group, also showed that the less-than-truckload industry grew 9.1 percent in 2010, as total U.S. LTL revenue rose from $25.2 billion to $27.5 billion. That report showed the 25 largest LTL carriers ranked by revenue grew on average 9.4 percent in 2010, slightly higher than the industry average.

Roadrunner, Cudahy, Wis., outpaced the industry significantly, increasing its LTL revenue 29.7 percent in 2010.

Four companies on the list saw revenue climb more than 20 percent last year, while 13 increased revenue from 10 to 20 percent. Only six of the top 25 carriers experienced single-digit growth.

Roadrunner was trailed by Oak Harbor Freight Lines, which boosted revenue 24.5 percent, FedEx Freight, 22.2 percent, and Dayton Freight Lines, 20.1 percent.

Roadrunner increased its LTL over 2008 by $43 million or 11.7 percent. That pushed Roadrunner two rungs higher on The Journal of Commerce list of top 25 LTL carriers list to rank as the 14th-largest U.S. LTL trucking operator.

The company continues its growth initiatives, having recently announced the purchase of Morgan Southern, a privately-held intermodal carrier in Conley, Ga.

The complete report on the top 25 LTL carriers appears in today's issue of The Journal of Commerce.