State Has Most Trucking Companies

More large trucking companies are based in Arkansas than any other state in the country, according to a survey by a national trade journal.

The August issue of Commercial Carrier Journal ranked the top 100 trucking companies in the nation based on 1996 total revenue. The survey found that seven of the top 100 firms are based in Arkansas including three of the 20 largest companies.

“It is significant that Arkansas is home to so many of the nation’s largest trucking companies,” says Lane Kidd, president of the Arkansas Motor Carriers Association in Little Rock. “They bring a considerable amount of prestige to our state and enable Arkansas to lay claim to being number one in a vital economic sector.”

There are 1,200 trucking companies based in Arkansas that employ more than 75,000 people, Kidd says. Industry analysts expect the industry to continue growing and create an additional 25,000 jobs by 2005. About 50 of the companies have annual revenue in excess of $3 million.

“We not only have some of the nation’s largest carriers headquartered here but a growing number of smaller, high-growth trucking firms,” Kidd says. “Clearly, trucking is integral to the state’s economy, not to mention the hundreds of small businesses that sell equipment and services to the industry.”

Here are the results of the survey:

•J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. of Lowell is the seventh largest with annual revenue of $1.28 billion.

•ABF Freight Systems Inc. of Fort Smith is the ninth largest with annual revenue of $1.1 billion.

•American Freightways Inc. of Harrison is the 13th largest with annual revenue of $729 million.

•P.A.M. Transport Inc. of Tontitown is the 90th largest with annual revenue of $113 million.

•USA Truck Inc. of Van Buren is the 92nd largest with annual revenue of $108 million.

•Cannon Express Inc. of Springdale is the 99th largest with annual revenue of $100 million.

•Willis Shaw Express Inc. of Elm Springs is the 100th largest with annual revenue of $99.6 million.