Martin Transportation Systems

What Martin Transportation Systems does

Martin Transportation Systems (MTS) is a privately held, family-owned dedicated truckload carrier founded in 1978 by Minnie Martin in Flint, Michigan, and currently led by owner Richard E. Johnston. The company specializes in just-in-time (JIT) freight services for the U.S. automotive industry, hauling auto parts for General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, with additional named customers in retail (Meijer) and manufacturing (Bradford White, PCA). Its operating footprint spans 23 terminals across the United States and Ontario, Canada, with door-to-door cross-border service to and from Mexico and operating authority in U.S. interstate, intrastate, Ontario, and Quebec jurisdictions.

MTS operates a fleet of over 1,100 trucks and 1,700 trailers (including company equipment and owner-operators) supported by approximately 2,500 drivers and support staff. Core technology consists of a central dispatch function at the Byron Center, MI headquarters with satellite terminal operations, Samsara-based electronic logging devices (ELDs) for compliance and fleet management, on-site maintenance shops at terminals, and integrations with Tenstreet (driver verification), Paychex Flex (HR/benefits), and IdleAir (anti-idling). MTS is ISO 9001 registered and holds FAST, C-TPAT, CSA/PIP, and EPA SmartWay certifications. The affiliated Bay Logistics entity provides over 3 million square feet of warehousing across 15 distribution centers and 7 auxiliary warehouses in Michigan, Indiana, Arizona, and Mexico, extending the company's reach into warehousing, distribution, inventory management, and order fulfillment.

MTS generates revenue primarily through dedicated contract carrier agreements priced on mileage-based and flat-rate lane fees, with driver compensation structured around lane-specific rates (solo) and team-driver mileage tiers (40-65 cents per mile split). Distribution is direct-to-enterprise: loads are dispatched exclusively through MTS central dispatch via the mtstrans.com email domain with no broker intermediation at the booking layer. The company markets primarily through its website and social channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram), a quarterly employee/wellness newsletter (MTS Digest), and recruits drivers through a third-party application platform (DriverAPPSOnline/IntelliApp). Growth has been driven by six motor carrier acquisitions since 2003 and organic expansion with existing automotive customers.

Name

Martin Transportation Systems

Legal name

Martin Transportation Systems, Inc.

Website

https://mtstrans.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Martin Transportation Systems is a family-owned dedicated truckload carrier founded in 1978, providing just-in-time auto parts transportation for General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. It operates 1,100+ trucks and 23 U.S./Canada terminals alongside warehousing affiliate Bay Logistics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dedicated Truckload Services

NAICS

General Freight Trucking (4841)

SIC

Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive & Finished Vehicle (Car Hauler) TL Carriers (TLADADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Heavy Vehicle & Equipment Transport (RVs, Trucks, Buses) (HSAKAFAH)

Keywords

• Dedicated trucking
• Automotive freight
• JIT logistics
• Truckload services
• Contract carrier

Headquarters

HQ city

Byron Center

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Dedicated Truckload Services: MTS provides dedicated just-in-time (JIT) trucking services primarily for the automotive industry. Services include no-touch freight round trips between automotive plants and their suppliers, dedicated routes, and contract carrier services. Revenue is generated through mileage-based pay (per mile rates) and flat-rate lanes.
2. Driver Pay Programs: Solo drivers are paid lane-specific rates, either flat-rated or mileage-based. Deadhead miles pay the same as loaded miles. Team drivers earn 40-65 cents per mile split based on weekly mileage. Additional bonuses include clean inspection bonuses ($75), monthly performance bonuses (2 cents per mile), and fuel economy bonuses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Martin Transportation Systems (MTS) provides dedicated just-in-time (JIT) truckload transportation of automotive parts for the Big Three U.S. automakers (General Motors, Ford, Stellantis) and other enterprise customers. With a fleet of over 1,100 trucks and 1,700 trailers and 23 terminals across the U.S. and Ontario, MTS runs no-touch, dedicated round-trip routes on a contract carrier basis. The company also offers affiliated warehousing and supply chain solutions through Bay Logistics.

Product overview

Martin Transportation Systems (MTS) is a family-owned logistics and trucking company providing dedicated truckload services primarily for the automotive industry. Founded in 1978, the company operates a fleet of over 1,100 trucks and 1,700 trailers with 23 terminals across the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The core offering is dedicated just-in-time (JIT) trucking services hauling auto parts for the Big Three automakers (General Motors, Ford, Stellantis) and other customers like Meijer, Bradford White, and PCA. Services include dedicated routes with solo and team driver options, 100% no-touch freight, and coverage across Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions. MTS also offers affiliated warehousing through Bay Logistics, which provides warehousing, distribution, inventory management, and quality services with over 3 million square feet of space. The company operates under ISO registration and provides services including electronic logging via Samsara devices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dedicated Truckload Services Dedicated just-in-time (JIT) trucking services for the automotive industry, hauling auto parts for General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, and other enterprise customers on a contract carrier basis with no-touch round trips between automotive plants and their suppliers.
• Dedicated Routes Dedicated lane assignments allowing maximum miles per week with home daily or home weekly options, delivered as 100% no-touch freight round-trip runs.
• Solo Driver Services Solo driver staffing for dedicated lanes with lane-specific pay (flat-rated or mileage-based), where deadhead miles pay the same as loaded miles; requires CDL-A license.
• Team Driver Services Two-driver team staffing for dedicated lanes with split per-mile pay scaling from 40 cents per mile (under 3,000 weekly miles) up to 65 cents per mile (5,000+ weekly miles).
• Home Daily Shuttle Runs Home daily shuttle runs paying $28 per hour at Detroit, MI and Kansas City, KS terminals, with specific routes such as Kansas City to Springfield, IL paying $350 per trip and Louisville, KY shuttle runs paying $270–$440 per day.
• Bay Logistics Warehousing Supply chain management services provided through affiliated Bay Logistics, including warehousing, transportation, distribution, inventory management, order fulfillment, and quality services across 15 distribution centers and 7 auxiliary warehouses (over 3 million square feet) in Michigan, Indiana, Arizona, and Mexico.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years in business serving the Big Three automakers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bay LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Bay Logistics is an affiliated company based in Grand Rapids (Byron Center), Michigan. Started in 1994 providing warehousing services. Today owns and operates over 3 million square feet of warehouse space across 15 distribution centers and 7 auxiliary warehouses in Michigan, Indiana, Arizona, and Mexico. Provides comprehensive supply chain solutions including warehousing, transportation, distribution, inventory management, order fulfillment, and quality services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: Largest U.S. dedicated contract services operator; runs a national dedicated truckload business serving major shippers including automotive OEMs, directly overlapping MTS's core JIT model.
• Schneider National: Major dedicated truckload and intermodal carrier with deep automotive customer relationships; comparable operating model of dedicated lanes serving large enterprise shippers.
• Ryder System: Operates dedicated transportation solutions and supply chain services for automotive OEMs; directly comparable dedicated contract carriage and managed transportation offering.
• Knight-Swift Transportation: Largest U.S. truckload operator with a sizable dedicated segment serving automotive and industrial OEMs; comparable dedicated contract carriage and fleet scale.
• Penske Transportation Solutions: Operates dedicated contract carriage and full-service leasing for fleets, with deep automotive OEM ties; comparable dedicated transportation and logistics management offerings.

Direct peers

• Werner Enterprises: Mid-large dedicated truckload carrier with significant automotive and OEM exposure; comparable fleet size and dedicated-lane operating model serving enterprise shippers.
• U.S. Xpress Enterprises: Truckload carrier with dedicated services for industrial and manufacturing shippers including automotive suppliers; comparable dedicated-lane model and customer base.
• Heartland Express: Irregular route and dedicated truckload carrier serving automotive and manufacturing customers; similar private-public peer in mid-market truckload.
• Covenant Logistics Group: Dedicated truckload and expedited services carrier with automotive OEM exposure; comparable dedicated-lane operating model and customer mix.

Regional players

• Day & Ross Transportation: Canadian truckload and dedicated carrier with cross-border U.S./Canada operations; directly comparable to MTS's Ontario/Quebec authority and cross-border JIT automotive lanes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/driveformts
• Facebookfacebook.com/mtstrans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/martin-transportation
• Instagraminstagram.com/driveformts

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Martin Transportation Systems