Sterling Transportation

What Sterling Transportation does

Sterling Transportation is a privately held, non-asset-based expedited freight transportation and logistics services provider headquartered in Hawthorne (Los Angeles), California. Founded in 1990 as Sterling Air Cargo by Keith Davis and reorganized in 1993 around the West Coast-to-Florida lane, the company has operated continuously for 30+ years without external funding. Its core offering is a 3-day expedited Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) service from West Coast origins (LAX plus Las Vegas, Portland, Phoenix, Reno, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Sacramento, Tucson) to Florida destinations (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville), complemented by 2-day service from Texas hubs (Dallas, Houston) to Florida. Supporting lines include Truckload, Economy LTL, Time-Critical Ground Expedites, Container Freight Station (CFS) operations with U.S. Customs bonded status at LAX and Miami, a Heavy Haul Projects Division for cargo exceeding 1 million pounds, a Cruise Line Division, and nationwide FTL/LTL brokerage through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sterling Brokerage Services, Inc.

The company sells primarily to freight forwarders and airlines, with secondary exposure to industrial and project shippers requiring oversized cargo handling. Its go-to-market combines a relationship-driven enterprise field-sales organization (Executive VP of Sales, multiple regional VPs of Sales, dedicated key-account managers for international freight forwarders) with self-service through the Sterling Customer Portal for shipment tracking, document management, and status updates. Distribution is delivered through owned terminals in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, and Miami, with handling-agent channel partners in Orlando (Freight Force), Tampa (Myers/Freight Force), Jacksonville (Air Van), and Dallas (Hotline Delivery Systems). Service depth is reinforced by industry credentials: U.S. Customs bonded CFS facilities (IBEC status at Miami), four AFA Surface Provider/Carrier of the Year awards (2018, 2019, 2022, 2025), and active membership in AFA, TIACA, TIA, LAACA, FCBF, AEMCA, and DFW ACA.

Revenue is generated on a transaction-fee (take-rate) basis per shipment lane, with fuel surcharges indexed to the Department of Energy schedule; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Sterling Transportation markets its "People Powered Solutions" philosophy — emphasizing personalized service and dedicated-lane expertise over scale — and has pursued recent geographic expansion via the Midwest Express partnership (May 2024), new LAX-EWR direct service (February 2025), and expanded East Coast and Gulf service lanes (April 2025 onward). The customer base reportedly includes named enterprise logistics firms such as Radius International, Agility, and Aerostream Logistics.

Name

Sterling Transportation

Legal name

Sterling Transportation, Inc.

Website

https://sterlingtransportation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sterling Transportation is a privately held, non-asset-based expedited LTL and freight-forwarding carrier serving freight forwarders, airlines, and project shippers across dedicated West Coast-to-Florida and Texas-to-Florida lanes, with owned terminals at LAX, Dallas, Houston, and Miami.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Expedited LTL Services: Less-than-truckload expedited freight services primarily along dedicated lanes including West Coast to Florida routes with 3-day delivery options
2. Truckload Services: Full truckload transportation services including specialized projects division handling cargo over 1M lbs with route surveys and permit navigation
3. Container Freight Station (CFS): Container Freight Station operations providing drayage, de-van, transloading, palletization, local delivery, and storage services at LAX and Miami locations
4. Brokerage Services: Through Sterling Brokerage Services, provides FTL and LTL logistics solutions nationwide through carrier relationships
5. Heavy Haul Projects Division: Specialized division for oversized cargo transport handling projects over 1M lbs with route surveys, permits, and safety protocols

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sterling Transportation is a non-asset-based freight transportation and logistics company that moves expedited Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), and time-critical ground freight along specialized U.S. domestic lanes — most notably West Coast (LAX area) to Florida in 3 days and Texas to Florida in 2 days. It supplements linehaul with U.S. Customs-bonded Container Freight Station (CFS) operations at LAX and Miami (drayage, de-van, transloading, palletization, storage, local delivery), a Heavy Haul Projects Division handling cargo over 1 million pounds, cruise line logistics, and nationwide FTL/LTL brokerage through sister brand Sterling Brokerage Services. The Sterling Customer Portal enables shippers to track shipments, view documents, and manage bookings online.

Product overview

Sterling Transportation offers a comprehensive suite of freight transportation services built around expedited and economy LTL trucking, truckload services, and container freight station operations. The core portfolio centers on the company's signature 3-day expedited LTL service from West Coast origins (LAX, Las Vegas, Portland, Phoenix, Reno, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Sacramento, Tucson) to Florida destinations (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville), complemented by 2-day service from Texas hubs (Dallas, Houston) to Florida. Supporting services include CFS operations at LAX and Miami with U.S. Customs bonded facilities, time-critical ground expedites, specialized projects including a dedicated Heavy Haul Projects Division for cargo exceeding 1 million lbs, cruise line division logistics, and local pickup and delivery. The company's sister brand Sterling Brokerage Services extends FTL and LTL coverage nationwide. All services are coordinated through a Sterling Customer Portal for shipment tracking and management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sterling Brokerage Services | Heavy Haul Projects: Heavy haul logistics division handling specialized cargo transport for projects over 1M lbs.
• People Powered Solutions

Products and services

• Expedited LTL Expedited Less-Than-Truckload shipping service providing 3-day transit from West Coast origins (LAX, Las Vegas, Portland, Phoenix, Reno, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Sacramento, Tucson) to Florida destinations (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville) with no re-handling of freight; targeted to freight forwarders, airlines, and industrial shippers moving cargo along dedicated lanes.
• Economy LTL Cost-effective Less-Than-Truckload shipping option for freight that does not require expedited delivery timelines, providing budget-conscious ground transportation along Sterling's lane network.
• Truckload Services Full truckload freight services for larger shipments requiring dedicated truck capacity, including specialized equipment options, route surveys, and permit navigation for project cargo.
• CFS (Container Freight Station) U.S. Customs-bonded Container Freight Station services at LAX and Miami offering drayage, de-van, transloading, palletization, storage, and local delivery of international cargo. Miami facility is a 35,000 sq. ft. stand-alone building with 24-hour security, open 7 days a week, U.S. Customs bonded with IBEC status.
• Time Critical / Ground Expedites Time-sensitive ground transportation for urgent shipments requiring expedited delivery beyond standard transit times, including dedicated-team and air-ride van service for time-critical freight.
• Specialized Projects Customized logistics solutions for unique or complex freight requirements, including heavy haul projects handling cargo over 1 million pounds, route surveys, permit navigation, and comprehensive safety protocols.
• Miami Pickup & Delivery Local pickup and delivery services in the Miami area as part of Sterling's comprehensive CFS and LTL service offering, supporting last-mile needs in the South Florida market.
• Cruise Line Division Specialized logistics services tailored for cruise line operators addressing the unique transportation needs of the cruise industry, leveraging Sterling's Florida network and CFS capability.
• Heavy Haul Projects Division Specialized division within Sterling Brokerage Services handling oversized and super-heavy cargo transport exceeding 1 million pounds, with route surveys, permit navigation, and comprehensive safety protocols; led by Arthur Menard with 40+ years of experience including $500M Fortune 5 mission critical projects.
• Sterling Brokerage Services Sister company under the Sterling umbrella offering FTL and LTL nationwide brokerage logistics solutions, providing expanded coverage beyond Sterling Transportation's lane-specialized expedited service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years in business with established reputation as leading expedited LTL provider for freight forwarders and airlines
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Midwest ExpresscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Strategic partnership uniting Sterling Transportation and Midwest Express, announced May 1, 2024, expanding service capabilities and network reach.
• Hotline Delivery SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 June 2019Hotline Delivery Systems acts as handling agent in Dallas. Raymond Robinson, Business Development Manager at Hotline stated they are proud to be Sterling's DFW partner and part of their continued growth.
• Grand Slam Companies / Grand Slam TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2019Strategic partnership to bring Houston operations under Sterling Transportation banner. Kevin Craver, President at Grand Slam Transportation noted that no one knows the Florida market like Sterling Transportation and they already have relationships with most of the customers. David Oliver and team remained in place with business continuing 'as usual'.
• Air Van (Jacksonville)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHandling agent for Jacksonville, FL destination at 11070 Cabot Commerce Cir., Ste 300, Jacksonville, FL 32226
• Freight Force (Orlando)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHandling agent for Orlando, FL destination at 1025 Jetstream Drive, Orlando, FL 32824, P: 407-851-1615
• Myers/Freight Force (Tampa)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHandling agent for Tampa, FL destination at 4912 West Knox Street, Tampa, FL 33634, P: 813-884-3446 Ext. 5
• Sterling Brokerage ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company offering FTL and LTL nationwide logistics solutions, launched in 2011. Provides heavy haul projects division with 40+ year veteran Arthur Menard leading specialized cargo transport for projects over 1M lbs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Worldwide Express: Non-asset freight broker and 3PL offering LTL, FTL, and expedited services through a national sales channel. Highly comparable to Sterling's non-asset model and freight forwarder/airline customer focus, though much larger in scale and broader in lane coverage.
• Landstar System: Non-asset freight transportation provider using an agent-based owner-operator model for LTL, FTL and expedited services. Comparable in non-asset structure, expedited capabilities, and emphasis on agent/customer relationships, though far larger and more diversified across modes.
• RXO: Non-asset freight brokerage spin-off from XPO, focused on truckload, less-than-truckload and last-mile. Comparable as a non-asset broker serving similar shipper and forwarder customers, but operates at national scale with significantly more technology investment.
• Echo Global Logistics: Non-asset freight broker and 3PL offering truckload, LTL and intermodal services with proprietary technology. Directly comparable business model (asset-light broker serving shippers) and customer overlap with freight forwarders, though broader in mode and geography.
• GlobalTranz Enterprises: Non-asset freight forwarder and 3PL providing LTL, FTL, expedited and logistics services to shippers and intermediaries. Closely comparable to Sterling's non-asset model and customer base; competing head-to-head in expedited LTL lanes.
• Priority Worldwide: Expedited LTL and time-critical freight specialist serving international freight forwarders and airlines, very similar in niche focus and customer mix to Sterling. Most directly comparable competitor for expedited surface capacity from US gateways to interior destinations.
• AmeriQuest Transportation Services: Non-asset logistics provider offering LTL, FTL, expedited, parcel and managed transportation services. Similar asset-light model and customer profile (intermediaries and mid-market shippers), competing for overlapping freight forwarder volumes.

Broad incumbents

• C.H. Robinson Worldwide: Largest North American non-asset freight broker with global forwarding and managed services. Overlaps Sterling on LTL/FTL brokerage and forwarder relationships but operates at vastly greater scale with a much broader service portfolio.
• Hub Group: Large asset-light intermodal and logistics provider offering truck brokerage, LTL and supply chain solutions. Comparable in non-asset brokerage and dedicated capacity, though dominated by intermodal versus Sterling's ground-expedite focus.
• XPO: Major LTL trucking operator (post-RXO spin-off) with national door-to-door less-than-truckload service. Directly comparable on LTL product but asset-based and far larger; competes for the same expedited shipper customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Sterling Transportation