LTL carriers prepare for a rebound

Conditions for less than truckload (LTL) carriers remain challenging, with most describing soft demand and an extended freight recession weighing on volumes. Severe winter weather in late January created short-term disruption, with impacts lingering into early February as carriers worked through backlogues. At the same time, several LTL carriers note declining or fluctuating weight per delivery as an additional revenue headwind, reflecting a less favourable freight mix.

Despite these pressures, pricing discipline within the LTL sector has held firm. Carriers continue to get rate increases in order to recoup higher operating costs and continue to maintain a strong focus on yield management rather than chasing volume. Operational efficiency remains a top priority, with ongoing investments in technology, particularly AI-driven tools, to control costs and offset inflation.

Importantly, LTL companies are still investing in network capacity—including terminals, equipment and fleet—to ensure that they are well positioned to capture share when conditions improve. While recent Purchasing Managers’ Index readings showing expansion have sparked cautious optimism around manufacturing, it remains too early to determine whether this marks the start of a sustained recovery or simply a temporary improvement in sentiment.

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