Steelman Transportation

What Steelman Transportation does

Steelman Transportation is a mid-sized flatbed trucking carrier headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, operating a fleet of approximately 110 late-model tractors supplemented by a wide variety of trailers. The company transports standard flatbed freight, over-dimensional loads, and specialized equipment for top US manufacturers, with a documented freight mix spanning pipe, tubing, metal coils and plate, roofing, vinyl siding, lumber, manufactured steel products, fiberglass and stainless tanks, equipment, and air conditioning systems. Service configurations include live load, drop-and-hook, and dedicated run options. Founded between 1991 and 1998 (sources differ) and operating continuously for over 25 years, Steelman also runs a brokerage and logistics division that leverages an external carrier database to coordinate shipments beyond the owned fleet. The company is a subsidiary of Daseke Company, a North American flatbed and specialized freight conglomerate.

The business operates two revenue streams: asset-based truckload transportation (transaction fees on freight movement using the owned fleet) and freight brokerage/logistics (margin on third-party carrier coordination). Go-to-market is sales-led with direct enterprise manufacturer relationships, supported by a website with quote-request functionality, dedicated brokerage and main phone lines, and an IntelliApp-powered self-serve driver recruitment portal. Driver programs include company drivers and owner operator positions with stated compensation up to $200k annually, alongside passenger, pet, and referral-bonus benefits. The company self-reports driver turnover less than half the trucking industry average. Operating geography is centered on the Midwest United States.

Competitive positioning rests on a 25-year operating track record in specialized freight, a late-model fleet requiring significant capital outlay, and a stable experienced driver base. No revenue, funding, M&A, or headcount-trend disclosures are available, and the company carries no AI, software-platform, or technology-stack signals in the input.

Name

Steelman Transportation

Legal name

Steelman Transportation

Website

https://steelmantransport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Steelman Transportation is a mid-sized flatbed trucking carrier in Springfield, Missouri, running about 110 late-model tractors plus brokerage services for top US manufacturers transporting industrial materials, over-dimensional loads, and specialized equipment. It operates as a Daseke Company subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flatbed Trucking Services

NAICS

Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance (48412)

SIC

Trucking (No Local) (4213), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Flatbed & Open-Deck TL Carriers (TLADADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

LTL Flatbed / Open-Deck & Over-Dimensional LTL Carriers (TLADAEAM)

Keywords

• Flatbed trucking
• Freight transportation
• Over-dimensional hauling
• Logistics brokerage
• Specialized freight services

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Trucking Services: Full-service trucking carrier providing transportation of freight including flatbed, over-dimensional loads, and specialized equipment. Revenue generated through freight transportation fees based on shipment characteristics, distance, and service type.
2. Brokerage and Logistics Services: Brokerage division using an expansive, ever-growing carrier database to optimize price and service based on shipment size and quantity. Generates revenue through logistics coordination fees and carrier network access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Steelman Transportation is a mid-sized flatbed trucking carrier operating a fleet of approximately 110 late-model tractors and a wide variety of trailers out of Springfield, Missouri. The company transports standard flatbed freight, over-dimensional loads, and specialized equipment for manufacturing customers, and complements its owned fleet with a brokerage and logistics division that leverages an external carrier database to optimize price and service. Service delivery options include live load, drop and hook, and dedicated run configurations.

Product overview

Steelman Transportation is a mid-sized flatbed trucking carrier operating as part of the Daseke Company portfolio. The company offers a unified suite of transportation services centered on flatbed freight transport, supplemented by specialized over-dimensional hauling capabilities and comprehensive brokerage/logistics services. Service delivery options include live load, drop and hook, and dedicated run configurations. The company serves manufacturing clients across the United States, hauling diverse cargo including pipe, tubing, metal coils, steel products, roofing, lumber, equipment, and industrial tanks. Driver programs include company driver positions, owner operator opportunities, and specialized companion programs for passengers and pets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Flatbed Freight Services Core flatbed trucking services for standard cargo transport, handling a wide variety of goods including pipe, tubing, metal coils, plate, roofing, vinyl siding, lumber, and manufactured steel products for manufacturing customers.
• Over-Dimensional Freight Services Specialized transport services for oversized and heavy loads requiring specialized equipment and routing, including fiberglass tanks, stainless tanks, large equipment, and other over-dimensional cargo.
• Brokerage and Logistics Services Freight brokerage and logistics services utilizing an expansive, ever-growing carrier database to optimize price and service based on shipment size and quantity, extending capacity beyond the company's owned fleet.

Quantifiable outcome

• Driver turnover less than half industry average

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Landstar System: Landstar is a non-asset-based freight network with strong flatbed, heavy-haul, and brokerage capabilities. Comparable to Steelman on the over-dimensional/specialized side and on the brokerage component, though structurally different (owner-operator agent model).
• Schneider National: Schneider operates one of the largest flatbed and specialized networks in North America, including dedicated and logistics services. Comparable to Steelman on flatbed and dedicated offerings, but at massive scale and with a much broader portfolio.
• Werner Enterprises: Werner is a large, publicly traded transportation company with a dedicated flatbed segment (Werner Logistics) serving manufacturing and retail shippers. Comparable to Steelman in flatbed, but at significantly larger scale and broader service portfolio.

Direct peers

• P&S Transportation: P&S is a mid-sized flatbed/dedicated carrier headquartered in Birmingham, AL, focused on manufacturing and industrial shippers. Closely comparable to Steelman in size, vertical focus, and dedicated flatbed offering.
• Anderson Trucking Service (ATS): ATS is a specialized heavy-haul and flatbed carrier with strong over-dimensional capabilities and a Midwestern U.S. base. Directly comparable to Steelman on the specialized/over-dimensional freight dimension.
• TMC Transportation: TMC is a flatbed-dedicated carrier owned by Daimler Truck, focused on dedicated flatbed service to manufacturers. Comparable to Steelman on dedicated run offerings and manufacturing customer base.
• Melton Truck Lines: Melton is a mid-to-large flatbed carrier based in Oklahoma specializing in flatbed and step-deck freight. Comparable to Steelman in its focus on flatbed with regional/Midwest presence and manufacturing shipper base.
• Maverick Transportation: Maverick is a specialized flatbed and heavy-haul carrier serving industrial and manufacturing customers. Comparable to Steelman on specialized/flatbed mix and manufacturing customer base.
• Bennett Motor Express: Bennett is a specialized heavy-haul and flatbed carrier with strong over-dimensional and heavy-haul capabilities. Directly comparable to Steelman's specialized/over-dimensional offering.

Emerging players

• Hub Group: Hub Group is a large intermodal and logistics provider that has expanded into flatbed and dedicated truckload. Comparable to Steelman on the brokerage/logistics services dimension, though Hub's scale and intermodal focus are different.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SteelmanTranspt

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 Steelman Transportation