Cargo Transporters

What Cargo Transporters does

Cargo Transporters is a family-owned, asset-based dry van truckload carrier founded in 1966 in Claremont, North Carolina. The company operates a fleet of 500+ Freightliner Cascadia tractors and 1,900 dry van trailers under 48-state intrastate and interstate common and contract authority, with concentration on lanes east of the Rockies and the Eastern United States. Service offerings include full truckload dry van transportation, dedicated and contract freight, spot market solutions, and 24/7 yard spotting logistics, serving shippers, manufacturers, and logistics companies via direct enterprise sales rather than brokerage. Five terminal locations across North Carolina (Claremont, Charlotte, Battleboro, Rural Hall) and South Carolina (Anderson) support regional operational density.

The company's technology stack combines a proprietary DriveCT mobile application for drivers (available on iOS and Android), AS-400-based logistics and routing software, real-time trailer tracking with 5-minute position updates, onboard camera systems, and a Client Access Portal providing shipment tracking and proof-of-delivery document imaging. The affiliated family of companies extends the revenue surface: Catawba Truck Rental, Inc. (truck rental and leasing) and Cargo Integrated Logistics, Inc. (third-party logistics and warehousing). All freight is delivered with company-owned assets and direct W-2 employees — no owner-operators or third-party broker capacity.

Cargo Transporters generates revenue primarily through transaction-fee pricing on contracted and spot truckload freight, with quote-based custom pricing for shippers obtained through a request-rate form on the company website. End customers engage directly with the carrier's dispatch and operations teams. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales focused on multi-year contract and dedicated freight relationships, supplemented by digital inbound channels (client portal, online rate quotes). Strategic positioning emphasizes stability, multi-generational family ownership (now spanning four generations including Jackson Brown and Matthew Early), and industry leadership — the CEO Dennis Dellinger served as the 80th Chairman of the American Trucking Associations, and the company has accumulated repeated industry recognition including Inbound Logistics Top 100 Truckers and multiple ATA, TCA, and EPA SmartWay awards.

Name

Cargo Transporters

Legal name

Cargo Transporters, Inc.

Website

https://cargotransporters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Family-owned since 1966, Cargo Transporters is an asset-based dry van truckload carrier operating 500+ company-owned trucks across the contiguous US, with concentration on Eastern US lanes. It serves shippers, manufacturers, and logistics companies via direct contract, dedicated, and spot freight services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Claremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Full Truckload Dry Van Freight Transportation: Core revenue stream from time-definite, JIT/expedited, contract, and dedicated dry van truckload freight services across the continental US with emphasis on lanes east of the Rockies. Customers work directly with the carrier's dispatch team; drivers are company employees, not contractors.
2. Spot Market Freight: Spot market freight carrier quotes and services for businesses needing flexible transportation solutions beyond contracted arrangements. Custom pricing models tailored to specific handling requirements and delivery timelines.
3. Spotting/Yard Logistics Services: Dedicated 24/7 spotting services for yard logistics including trailer movements, inventory coordination, and yard optimization. Offered on daily, weekly, or long-term support basis.
4. Truck Rental and Leasing (Catawba Truck Rental, Inc.): Truck rental and leasing operations as part of the affiliated company family, providing additional transportation services.
5. Logistics and Warehousing (Cargo Integrated Logistics, Inc.): Third-party logistics and warehousing services offered through affiliated company Cargo Integrated Logistics, Inc.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cargo Transporters is an asset-based freight carrier providing dry van truckload transportation across the contiguous United States, with emphasis on lanes east of the Rockies and East Coast markets. The company operates a 100% company-owned fleet of approximately 500 Freightliner tractors and 1,900 dry van trailers, staffed by direct W-2 drivers, and offers time-definite, JIT/expedited, contract/dedicated, and spot market services. Complementary offerings include 24/7 yard spotting/logistics services, truck rental and leasing through Catawba Truck Rental, and third-party logistics and warehousing through Cargo Integrated Logistics.

Product overview

Cargo Transporters operates as a full-service transportation organization offering a portfolio of logistics brands. The core product is its dry van and truckload freight transportation service, delivered via 500+ company-owned trucks and 1,900+ trailers driven by direct employees — not contractors — with 48-state interstate authority and emphasis on East Coast lanes. This core service is supplemented by dedicated and contract freight carrier services, spot market solutions, and 24/7 yard spotting/logistics services. Supporting the transportation product are digital sub-products including the DriveCT mobile app for drivers, a Client Access Portal for real-time shipment tracking and document imaging, and an online proof-of-delivery system. The broader family of companies includes Catawba Truck Rental, Inc. (truck rental and leasing) and Cargo Integrated Logistics, Inc. (logistics and warehousing).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dry Van & Truckload Freight Transportation Asset-based full truckload freight transportation using company-owned trucks and dry van trailers, delivering freight across the contiguous United States with emphasis on lanes east of the Rockies, and including time-definite and JIT/expedited options. Targeted at shippers, manufacturers, and logistics companies.
• Dedicated Freight Carrier Services Contract and dedicated dry van transportation services for shippers looking to outsource transportation, including acquisition and disposition of private fleets, with dispatch and operations teams dedicated to the customer's freight.
• Spot Market Freight Carrier Services Spot market freight carrier services with custom pricing models and logistics solutions for businesses needing flexible transportation beyond contracted arrangements, including special handling requirements and specific delivery timelines.
• Spotting / Yard Logistics Services Dependable 24/7 spotting services for yard logistics, including trailer movements, inventory coordination, and yard optimization, offered on daily, weekly, or long-term support basis for warehouse and distribution operations.
• DriveCT Mobile App Proprietary mobile application for Cargo Transporters' CDL-A drivers providing connectivity, job management, efficiency tools, and on-the-road support, available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
• Catawba Truck Rental, Inc. (Truck Rental and Leasing) Truck rental and leasing services provided through affiliated company Catawba Truck Rental, Inc., part of the Cargo Transporters family of companies.
• Cargo Integrated Logistics, Inc. (Logistics and Warehousing) Third-party logistics and warehousing services offered through affiliated company Cargo Integrated Logistics, Inc., as part of the Cargo Transporters family of companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of freight delivered with company-owned dedicated trucking assets (no third-party brokers or independent contractors)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• SmartWay (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmartWay partner logo displayed on the Cargo Transporters website, indicating participation in the EPA SmartWay program that promotes sustainable transportation and fuel efficiency. The partnership demonstrates the company's commitment to environmental sustainability.
• CargoNetcoreTechnology or IntegrationCargoNet partner logo displayed on the website, enhancing cargo security for shipments. CargoNet provides cargo theft prevention and recovery services, data analytics, and risk management solutions.
• Wreaths Across AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWreaths Across America partner, with Cargo Transporters drivers regularly hauling wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and other locations. The company donated $10,000 in 2014 and continues annual participation.
• Truckers Against TraffickingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCargo Transporters supports Truckers Against Trafficking, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking in the transportation industry. The company is committed to training drivers to recognize and report trafficking.
• Women in TruckingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen in Trucking organization supported by Cargo Transporters, with logo displayed on the company website. Promotes the employment of women in the trucking industry.
• North Carolina League of Transportation & Logistics (NCLTL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC League of Transportation & Logistics member in Claremont, NC. Active participation in state-level industry advocacy and professional development.
• North Carolina Trucking Association (NCTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC Trucking Association member. Company drivers Bobby Salters and David Hartline recognized as NCTA Drivers of the Month. Active in state trucking association events and Truck Driving Championships.
• South Carolina Trucking AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Carolina Trucking Association member with location in Anderson, SC. Supports state-level trucking industry advocacy and professional community.
• American Trucking Associations (ATA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Trucking Associations member. CEO Dennis Dellinger serves as the 80th Chairman of ATA (2024-2025). Active in ATA Fleet Safety Awards, Change Leader Awards, and industry advocacy including White House engagement.
• Truckload Carriers Association (TCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTruckload Carriers Association member. Company won TCA Driver of the Year 2025 and multiple Driver & Fleet Awards at TCA Truckload 2025. Active participant in TCA Truckload conference.
• Trucking Moves America ForwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported by Cargo Transporters. Industry coalition focused on promoting the trucking industry's positive image and contributions to the American economy.
• Women in Motion (ATA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen in Motion initiative by the American Trucking Association promoting women in the freight carrier industry. Cargo Transporters supports this initiative.
• Next Gen TruckingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNext Gen Trucking initiative partner, promoting the next generation of trucking professionals. Logo displayed on Cargo Transporters website.
• Chamber of Catawba CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with the Chamber of Catawba County, supporting local business community engagement in the Catawba County area.
• Verified CarriercoreTechnology or IntegrationVerified Carrier certification program participant, providing trusted freight carrier verification and credentials. Badge displayed on the company website.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Ryder System: Ryder operates a dedicated truckload and fleet management business that competes directly with Cargo Transporters' dedicated services for shippers looking to outsource private fleets. Its lease and rental capabilities also overlap with Cargo Transporters' Catawba Truck Rental subsidiary.
• Hub Group: Hub Group operates intermodal, truck brokerage, and dedicated trucking services. Its dedicated trucking segment competes for the same shipper relationships and dedicated contract business that Cargo Transporters targets, while its intermodal offering provides an alternative freight mode for similar lanes.

Broad incumbents

• Schneider National: Schneider National is a major asset-based carrier with truckload, intermodal, and logistics services, operating a comparable mix of dedicated, irregular route, and intermodal freight. Its scale, diversified service offering, and emphasis on dedicated contract carriage make it an incumbent comparable for Cargo Transporters' dedicated and contract business.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: J.B. Hunt is a major asset-based carrier with truckload, intermodal, dedicated, and final mile services. Its dedicated contract services segment closely mirrors Cargo Transporters' dedicated/contract offering, while its broader portfolio positions it as a larger incumbent in the same space.
• ArcBest Corporation: ArcBest operates asset-based LTL and truckload services through its ABF Freight and MoLo Solutions segments, with an asset-based truckload offering that overlaps with Cargo Transporters' core service. As a public, multi-modal carrier, it provides a broader benchmark for asset-based freight economics in the region.
• Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings: Knight-Swift is the largest US truckload carrier, operating a broad portfolio of asset-based truckload, LTL, and logistics services across multiple segments. While vastly larger and more diversified than Cargo Transporters, its asset-based truckload segment is directly comparable in service offering and target market.

Direct peers

• Heartland Express: Heartland Express is an asset-based irregular route truckload carrier operating a similar company-driver model with a national footprint. Its asset-heavy, driver-employed approach and similar target customer base among mid-market shippers make it a relevant comparable for Cargo Transporters' core dry van offering.
• U.S. Xpress (Knight-Swift): U.S. Xpress was a comparable mid-to-large asset-based truckload carrier with a similar dedicated and irregular route mix before its acquisition by Knight-Swift. Historically, its asset-based company-driver model and emphasis on dedicated service made it a direct comparable to Cargo Transporters' operating model.
• Werner Enterprises: Werner Enterprises is a publicly traded asset-based truckload carrier of comparable size, operating a similar dedicated and one-way truckload model with company drivers. Its mix of dedicated contract services and refrigerated/flatbed capabilities, plus comparable East Coast/ Midwest lane focus, makes it a closely comparable peer to Cargo Transporters.
• Marten Transport: Marten Transport is a mid-size asset-based truckload carrier with company drivers, a mix of dedicated and irregular route service, and similar Midwest/Southeast lane exposure. Its scale, family-influenced culture, and focus on dry van and temperature-controlled freight make it a close comparable to Cargo Transporters' asset-based model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCApLQpRXsu62bGq4gxr7FJg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cargotransporters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cargo-transporters
• Instagraminstagram.com/cargotransporters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Cargo Transporters