What Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. does

Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. is a family-owned, asset-based freight transportation company founded in June 1996 by Geary Buchanan in Fort Wayne, Indiana, after his 24 years as an owner operator. Starting with one truck and two trailers, it has grown into a multi-hundred-million-dollar operator with 200+ power units and 900+ trailers handling 160,000+ loads annually at 99%+ on-time performance. The company runs five terminals — Fort Wayne (headquarters), Indianapolis, Phoenix, Trafford/Pittsburgh, and Houston — and serves customers across the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is structured around four operating sub-brands: Buchanan Heavy Haul (oversized/overweight up to 500,000 lb), Buchanan Specialized (HazMat and over-dimensional), Buchanan Expedite (24-48 hour coast-to-coast), plus core Dry Van and Flatbed services, and a 3PL Managed Logistics arm supported by sister company Buchanan Logistics.

The service portfolio spans dry van (53-foot enclosed, up to 45,000 lb), flatbed and step deck (up to 48,000 lb), expedited time-sensitive transport, HazMat and over-dimensional specialized freight, heavy haul using RGNs, lowboys, multi-axle, and suspension beam trailers, and outsourced 3PL including carrier sourcing, rate negotiation, TMS integration, and LTL consolidation. Underlying technology is conventional logistics software: real-time GPS tracking, an in-house transportation management system with custom dashboards, a customer load tracking portal at tms-bhri.loadtracking.com, route optimization software, and dispatch management systems. No AI/ML capabilities are referenced. The company has held a Satisfactory FMCSA safety rating since 2011 and maintains an A+ BBB rating, ITS 5 Diamond rating, and 4.1 DAT rating.

Revenue is generated through three primary mechanics: per-shipment transaction fees on asset-based trucking (dry van, flatbed, expedited, specialized, heavy haul), managed services and brokerage commissions on 3PL activity, and 8% line haul commissions plus 50/50 brokerage splits via the freight agent channel program. Pricing is quote-based across all tiers, with insurance coverage of $2M per load on heavy haul and $500,000 cargo plus $2M auto liability for agents. Customer concentration spans named enterprise accounts (Corteva Agriscience, ABC Supply, Penske Logistics, Schneider) alongside a long tail of mid-market and SMB shippers acquired through the public rate quote portal and freight agents, with claimed 98% customer retention and on-time rates of 99%+ (98% for expedited). The company sells directly via field enterprise sales, inside sales, a self-serve website portal, and the agent channel, while marketing through content, industry associations (IMTA, TIA, SC&RA, ATA, SmartWay, TCA), and community engagement.

Name

Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc.

Legal name

Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc.

Website

https://buchananhauling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Buchanan Hauling & Rigging is a family-owned, asset-based North American freight carrier providing dry van, flatbed, expedited, HazMat/specialized, heavy haul (up to 500,000 lb), and 3PL managed logistics services from five US terminals to enterprise and mid-market shippers across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Transportation Services

NAICS

General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload (484121), Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), General Freight Trucking (4841)

SIC

Trucking (No Local) (4213), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Heavy Haul / Oversize / Specialized Equipment TL Carriers (TLADADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dry Van (General Freight) TL Carriers (TLADADAA), Truckload (TL) Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAB), Freight Brokerage (Truckload/LTL/Intermodal) (TLAIANAA)

Keywords

• Flatbed trucking services
• Heavy haul transport
• Expedited freight shipping
• Dry van logistics
• Third-party logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Wayne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Truckload Transportation Services: Asset-based trucking services including dry van, flatbed, specialized, heavy haul, and expedited freight transportation. Revenue generated through per-shipment charges based on distance, weight, equipment type, and service requirements. The company operates over 200 power units and 900+ trailers to serve customers across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
2. 3PL Managed Logistics Services: Third-party logistics services including carrier sourcing, rate negotiation, freight brokerage, supply chain optimization, and TMS integration. Revenue generated through service fees, brokerage commissions, and markups on negotiated carrier rates.
3. Freight Agent Program Revenue: Commission-based revenue from freight agents who sell transportation services under Buchanan's authority. Agents earn 8% commission on line haul and 50/50 brokerage split for additional revenue opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Buchanan Hauling & Rigging is an asset-based freight transportation carrier providing dry van, flatbed, expedited, specialized (HazMat), and heavy haul trucking services across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company also operates a 3PL managed logistics division that handles carrier sourcing, rate negotiation, TMS integration, and supply chain optimization. Service is delivered through a fleet of 200+ power units and 900+ trailers operated from terminals in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Trafford (PA), and Houston.

Product overview

Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. is an asset-based regional freight carrier offering a portfolio of transportation services: Dry Van and Flatbed Services (the core backbone, covering enclosed 53-foot dry van transport up to 45,000 lbs and open-deck flatbed/step-deck transport up to 48,000 lbs); Expedited Freight Services (time-critical team-driver transport with 24–48 hour coast-to-coast capability); Specialized Freight Services (HAZMAT-certified and over-dimensional transport with permit coordination and escort services); Heavy Haul Services (oversized/overweight loads using extendable flatbeds, RGN trailers, lowboys, and multi-axle configurations with capacity up to 500,000 lbs); and 3PL Managed Logistics (in-house third-party logistics with carrier sourcing, TMS integration, LTL consolidation, and supply chain analytics). The company operates over 200 power units and 900+ trailers from terminals in Fort Wayne, IN (headquarters), Indianapolis, IN, Phoenix, AZ, Pittsburgh (Trafford), PA, and Houston, TX. A sister company, Buchanan Logistics, Inc., provides additional brokerage capacity. The integrated portfolio enables seamless handoffs — for example, dry van for inbound freight transitioning to heavy haul for outbound oversized loads — all under a single provider relationship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Buchanan Heavy Haul Division: Specialized division handling oversized and overweight freight transport with equipment including extendable flatbeds, RGN trailers, and multi-axle configurations.
• Buchanan Specialized
• Buchanan Expedite Division

Products and services

• Dry Van and Flatbed Services Dry van trucking using 53-foot enclosed trailers with air-ride suspension (up to 45,000 lbs per load) and flatbed/open-deck transport using standard 48–53-foot flatbeds and step decks (up to 48,000 lbs) for palletized, boxed, and oversized cargo across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Designed for retail, consumer goods, and construction shippers.
• Expedited Freight Services Time-sensitive freight transport using team drivers for cross-country runs that cut transit times to 24–48 hours coast-to-coast, with 24/7 dispatch, priority fuel stops, and real-time GPS tracking. Targeted at manufacturing, healthcare, and industrial customers needing rapid freight delivery with dedicated resources.
• Specialized Freight Services Transport of over-dimensional, oversized, and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) freight, including permit coordination, route planning, escort services, and DOT/EPA-compliant handling for chemicals, flammables, and radioactive substances. Includes up to $2 million per load in insurance coverage.
• Heavy Haul Services Oversized and overweight freight transport using extendable flatbeds, RGN trailers, lowboys, multi-axle configurations, Schuerle trailers, and suspension beam trailers with capacity up to 500,000 lbs. Includes in-house permitting, pilot car coordination, and route surveys for transformers, wind turbine blades, construction equipment, liquid silo tanks, and generators exceeding 100,000 pounds GVW.
• 3PL Managed Logistics Third-party logistics services including carrier sourcing, rate negotiation, TMS integration, LTL consolidation into full loads, backhaul optimization, and supply chain analytics across 48 states with cross-border Mexico support. Revenue earned through service fees, brokerage commissions, and markups on negotiated carrier rates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99%+ on-time delivery rate across all services
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered member and core.

• Indiana Motor Truck AssociationmemberOthersIndustry association membership supporting trucking standards, advocacy, and networking within the Indiana trucking community. Participates in IMTA events including Truck Rodeo competitions.
• Transportation Intermediaries AssociationmemberOthersTIA membership providing access to freight brokerage best practices, training, and industry networking for third-party logistics providers.
• SC&RA (Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association)memberOthersIndustry association for specialized carriers and rigging companies. Buchanan has received SC&RA awards including 2026 Job of the Year recognition for heavy haul excellence.
• American Trucking AssociationsmemberOthersATA membership supporting advocacy, standards development, and industry leadership for trucking companies nationwide.
• SmartWaymemberOthersEPA SmartWay program membership demonstrating commitment to environmental sustainability and fuel efficiency in freight transportation operations.
• Truckload Carriers AssociationmemberOthersTCA membership supporting truckload carrier interests, advocacy, and professional development in the trucking industry.
• Buchanan LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company providing additional logistics and brokerage capabilities. The 3PL division can leverage Buchanan Logistics for freight movement assistance when additional capacity is needed.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Knight-Swift Transportation: Largest US truckload carrier with broad TL, LTL, and logistics services. Competes broadly across Buchanan's asset-based and 3PL services as a generalist incumbent.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: Large public multi-modal carrier with dedicated, intermodal, and final-mile services. Broad incumbent offering overlapping capabilities across Buchanan's TL, 3PL, and specialized services.

Direct peers

• Werner Enterprises: Public truckload and dedicated carrier with significant flatbed exposure. Operates at much larger scale but competes for the same dry van, flatbed, and expedited freight as Buchanan.
• Schneider National: Large public truckload and flatbed carrier. Directly comparable as a flatbed/TL peer; Schneider is also a customer of Buchanan (multiple Carrier of the Year awards), making them both competitor and channel partner.
• Mercer Transportation: Private flatbed and heavy haul carrier. Direct competitor on flatbed, step-deck, and oversized freight with comparable equipment and customer profile.
• Anderson Trucking Service (ATS): Private heavy haul and specialized carrier. Directly comparable on oversized equipment transport, project cargo, and rigging — competing in the same SC&RA-recognized heavy haul niche.
• Boyd Brothers Transportation: Private flatbed and specialized carrier based in the Southeast. Direct competitor in flatbed and open-deck freight across similar regional lanes.
• Daseke: Public specialty carrier focused on flatbed, heavy haul, and specialized logistics — the closest direct competitor to Buchanan's heavy haul and oversized-load services.
• Marten Transport: Public truckload carrier with flatbed, refrigerated, and dedicated services. Competes for similar mid-market dry van and intermodal-adjacent freight.
• Heartland Express: Public truckload carrier focused on dry van long-haul. Overlaps with Buchanan's dry van and asset-based TL business model and customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BuchananHauling
• YouTubevimeo.com/buchananhauling
• Facebookfacebook.com/buchananhauling.rigging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buchanan-hauling-and-rigging
• Instagraminstagram.com/buchananhauling

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc.