Hercules Forwarding

What Hercules Forwarding does

Hercules Forwarding, Inc. is a Canada-based Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight carrier specializing in cross-border shipments between the United States and Canada, with growing coverage of US-Mexico trade. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia (Canada headquarters) with US operations centered in Vernon, California, the company operates a network of more than 30 company-owned terminals across Canada, the United States, and Mexico border points, supported by over 1,000 pieces of equipment. Its operating model is built on direct-linehaul routing with no break-bulk handling, which the company reports yields a claim ratio of .0026 — a quality differentiator versus terminal-heavy LTL competitors.

The company's product portfolio centers on LTL transportation integrated with customs brokerage services (PARS tracking, in-bond shipments, COD collection, exchange rate tools, and bilingual documentation support), enabling shippers to manage cross-border freight and customs clearance through a single provider. Digital self-service tools — online rate quotes, shipment tracking, pickup scheduling, transit time calculators, fuel surcharge information, cube/density calculators, and downloadable forms — are accessible via a multi-language website (English, French, Spanish). Pricing is governed by published tariff rules (HRCF 100 and HRCF 500) on a transactional basis, with payment terms of 14 days and a 30-day discount window. Accessorial charges include California Compliance, High Cost Service Area, detention, and COD fees.

Hercules generates revenue through transaction fees on LTL freight movements and professional-services fees on customs brokerage activities, serving cross-border shippers — manufacturers, distributors, and retailers engaged in US-Canada and increasingly US-Mexico bilateral trade. The company operates under common carrier MC-236993 and is wholly owned by TFI International following a 2024 acquisition that positioned Hercules as part of TFI's LTL growth strategy ahead of the parent's planned late-2026 spin-off of its truckload division. Day-to-day operating leadership is limited in public disclosure, with Melanie Burnham identified as Chief Financial Officer.

Name

Hercules Forwarding

Legal name

Hercules Forwarding, Inc.

Website

https://herculesfreight.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hercules Forwarding is a North American LTL freight carrier specializing in cross-border US-Canada and US-Mexico shipments, operating 30+ terminals and 1,000+ pieces of equipment with integrated customs brokerage; the company is a wholly-owned TFI International subsidiary serving cross-border shippers via tariff-based transaction pricing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Freight Transportation

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)

SIC

Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-Border LTL (US-MX/US-CA) (TLADAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interregional/Long-Haul LTL Network Carriers (TLADAEAC), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) / Groupage Forwarding (TLACACAB)

Keywords

• Less-than-truckload freight
• Cross-border transportation
• Customs brokerage services
• LTL freight carrier
• North American logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

New Westminster

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices34 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. LTL Freight Transportation: Core revenue from Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight transportation services across North America, with specialization in US-to-Canada cross-border shipments. Services include standard freight, specialized handling, and interline connections.
2. Customs Brokerage Services: Provides customs brokerage services for shipments crossing the US-Canada border, including PARS tracking, in-bond shipments, and customs clearance. Revenue generated through customs processing fees and related charges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Hercules Forwarding provides Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight transportation services specializing in cross-border shipments between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, supported by a network of 30+ terminals. The company operates a direct-linehaul model with no break-bulk to minimize handling and damage, and also offers integrated customs brokerage services for US-Canada and US-Mexico border clearance, including PARS tracking and currency exchange support.

Product overview

Hercules Forwarding is a Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight transportation company operating as part of TFI International. The company offers a unified service portfolio combining LTL transportation with integrated customs brokerage, supported by a network of 30+ terminals across North America covering USA, Canada, and Mexico. The core LTL Transportation service is complemented by digital freight management tools including shipment tracking, rate quoting, pickup scheduling, transit time calculations, and customs documentation services. The company specializes in cross-border US-Canada-Mexico freight operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Claim ratio of .0026

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TFI InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTFI International acquired Hercules Forwarding as part of its acquisition strategy. According to TFI International's CEO Alain Bédard, the company has completed multiple acquisitions including Groupe CRS Express, Entreposage Marco, Transport MJ Lavoie, and Hercules Forwarding while restructuring its U.S. LTL operations to cut excess capacity. TFI International plans substantial truckload and LTL acquisitions in 2025-2026 before a planned spinoff of its truckload division by late 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Rosenau Transport: Western Canada-based LTL carrier with cross-border US services. Direct comparable in geography, lane mix, and cross-border specialization.
• Manitoulin Transport: Canadian-based transportation and logistics provider with cross-border LTL capability. Closest Canadian-headquartered direct comparable to Hercules outside the TFI family.

Broad incumbents

• Saia Inc. US LTL carrier with extensive terminal coverage and a focus on service quality. Competes with Hercules on US-Canada trade lanes and benchmarks the direct-linehaul quality narrative.
• Old Dominion Freight Line: Largest US LTL carrier by revenue with a dense national terminal network. Sets industry benchmarks for service quality and margins, competing with Hercules wherever lanes overlap.
• Southeastern Freight Lines: Privately held regional-to-national LTL carrier expanding into cross-border lanes. Competes with Hercules on US-origin LTL freight and shares a private, service-focused operating culture.
• ArcBest (ABF Freight): Asset-based LTL carrier with national US coverage. Competes with Hercules on cross-border lanes and provides a publicly traded benchmark for LTL unit economics.
• XPO: Major North American LTL operator with national linehaul and terminal network. A direct competitor on long-haul US-Canada freight and a benchmark for LTL pricing and density.
• Purolator: Canada's largest domestic parcel and LTL carrier with US cross-border operations. Competes with Hercules for Canadian-origin LTL freight and customs brokerage spend.

Direct peers

• Day & Ross: TFI International's Canadian LTL and logistics unit and Hercules sibling. Operates the same cross-border US-Canada LTL niche and competes for many of the same cross-border shippers.
• TForce Freight: TFI International's US LTL unit and direct sibling to Hercules within the same parent. Competes head-to-head in US-Canada cross-border lanes and shares back-office and interline economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/herculesfreight

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hercules Forwarding