Hoekstra Transportation
Hoekstra Transportation is a family-owned regional truckload carrier based in Kankakee, Illinois, hauling grocery and general dry goods within a 500-mile radius of Chicago for Midwest distribution networks and major metro-area shippers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersKankakee, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hoekstra Transportation does
Hoekstra Transportation LLC is a privately held, family-owned regional truckload carrier headquartered in Kankakee, Illinois, approximately 50 minutes south of Chicago. The company transports grocery and general dry goods within a 500-mile radius of the Chicago metro area, covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kentucky, with an average length of haul of 200-300 miles. Operations are built around a fleet of late-model conventional Freightliner and Peterbilt tractors, supported by a TMS-based online tracking portal, FMCSA-compliant electronic logging devices, truck-routed turn-by-turn navigation, and 24/7 Penske roadside assistance.
The company serves shippers through a direct B2B sales motion, cultivating long-term 'first call' carrier relationships with Midwest distribution networks and major metro-area customers. Its specialization in drop-and-hook, no-touch freight with no hazmat, no railyard, and no Northeast/NYC routes is positioned as a reliability and quality-of-life differentiator for both shippers and drivers. Revenue is generated through mileage-based freight billing on practical door-to-door miles, supported by dedicated, regional, local, and owner-operator service lines, plus ancillary services such as proof-of-delivery notifications and a non-profit trailer wrap program.
Hoekstra's operational backbone is its driver workforce, which the company emphasizes through guaranteed minimum weekly pay, practical door-to-door mileage, regional home time (drivers no more than eight hours from home), longevity and referral bonuses up to $5,200, and a recognition program. The company reports a 10.93% driver turnover rate with a 7-year average tenure and a 39-year tenured driver on staff, well below industry averages. Owner Steve Hoekstra leads the business, which is EPA SmartWay-certified, generates 85% of facility energy from solar panels, and operates B11 biodiesel trucks in summer months.
Hoekstra Transportation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hoekstra Transportation
- Legal name
- Hoekstra Transportation LLC
- Website
- https://hoekstratrans.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Hoekstra Transportation is a family-owned regional truckload carrier based in Kankakee, Illinois, hauling grocery and general dry goods within a 500-mile radius of Chicago for Midwest distribution networks and major metro-area shippers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hoekstra Transportation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Truckload Freight Transportation
- NAICS
- General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload (484121), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance (48412)
- SIC
- Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Trucking (No Local) (4213)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dry Van (General Freight) TL Carriers (TLADADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Expedited / Time-Critical TL Carriers (TLADADAG)
Keywords
Where Hoekstra Transportation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kankakee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hoekstra Transportation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Freight Transportation Services: Hoekstra Transportation operates as a regional truckload carrier generating revenue through freight transportation fees. The company charges shippers for transporting grocery and general dry goods within a 500-mile radius of the Chicago Metro area. Revenue is derived from mileage-based billing, minimum guarantees, and bonus structures. The company maintains a high trailer-to-tractor ratio to maximize freight capacity and utilization.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Regional Driver Pay: starts at $0.66/mile on practical door-to-door miles with weekly minimum guarantee and bonus opportunities |
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Dedicated Driver Pay: per mile practical door-to-door rate with weekly minimum guarantee |
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Local Driver Pay: hourly rate above industry average with overtime after 40 hours |
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Owner Operator Pay: per mile practical door-to-door rate with weekly minimum guarantee and bonus opportunities |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Per Diem Allowance: $0.10–$0.17 CPM for qualifying drivers traveling more than 50 miles from home |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Hoekstra Transportation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hoekstra Transportation is a regional truckload carrier operating within a 500-mile radius of the Chicago Metro area, specializing in the transportation of grocery and general dry goods with average hauls of 200-300 miles. The company operates a fleet of conventional Freightliner and Peterbilt tractors providing primarily drop-and-hook, no touch freight with no hazmat, no railyard, and no Northeast/NYC routes, supported by real-time shipment tracking via an online TMS portal. Services are delivered through multiple driver career programs including regional, local, dedicated, dedicated flex, and owner operator positions, all anchored on guaranteed minimum weekly pay and practical door-to-door mileage.
Product overview
Hoekstra Transportation is a regional truckload carrier offering a portfolio of trucking services including regional, local, dedicated, flex, and owner operator truck driving career opportunities. The company operates within a 500-mile radius of Chicago, specializing in grocery and general dry goods freight. Core services include regional truckload transportation with 200-350 mile average hauls, supported by real-time shipment tracking capabilities and proof of delivery services. Additional offerings include company per diem programs for drivers and a non-profit trailer wrap program for charitable partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Regional Truckload Carrier Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Driver turnover rate of 10.93%, compared to industry averages significantly higher
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Hoekstra Transportation
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Hoekstra Transportation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
Hoekstra Transportation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- V Foundation for Cancer ResearchcoreHoekstra Transportation partnered with the V Foundation in 2024 through a non-profit trailer wrap program. Two Hoekstra trailers were wrapped in large vinyl graphics featuring V Foundation branding and a QR code enabling passersby to donate directly to cancer research. The V Foundation's mission is Victory Over Cancer, and 100% of donations go to funding scientists researching all types of cancer. V Foundation has provided $310 million in cancer research grants nationwide.
- Ronald McDonald HouseminorHoekstra Transportation has worked with Ronald McDonald House, a charity supporting families across the globe, through its non-profit trailer wrap program and community involvement.
- Bugles Across AmericaminorBugles Across America provides live taps to honor Veterans. Hoekstra Transportation has partnered with this organization through its community outreach and trailer wrap programs.
- Gigi's PlayhouseminorHoekstra Transportation has supported Gigi's Playhouse through its non-profit trailer wrap program and community involvement initiatives.
- Zonta InternationalminorHoekstra Transportation has worked with Zonta International through its community involvement and received the Zonta International District 6 Centennial Recognition Award in 2019.
- Truckers Against TraffickingminorHoekstra Transportation has partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking as part of its commitment to community responsibility and driver training on human trafficking awareness.
- United States Marine CorpsminorHoekstra Transportation has partnered with the United States Marine Corps through community involvement initiatives.
- Illinois Soybean Growers AssociationminorHoekstra Transportation has partnered with the Illinois Soybean Growers Association as part of its regional agricultural community engagement.
- Wreaths Across AmericaminorHoekstra Transportation has participated in Wreaths Across America, delivering wreaths to honor fallen heroes at national cemeteries and local memorials across Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and multiple County West area locations.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (SmartWay Program)minorHoekstra Transportation is a SmartWay Transport Partner, an EPA program recognizing freight carriers that demonstrate environmental sustainability through measures including use of B11 Biodiesel and solar energy generation.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Hoekstra Transportation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Schneider National: Schneider National is one of the largest asset-based truckload, intermodal, and logistics providers in North America with major Midwest operations. As a broad incumbent, Schneider competes for many of the same shipper accounts but offers a much wider portfolio including intermodal and brokerage.
- Werner Enterprises: Werner Enterprises operates one of the largest truckload fleets in the U.S. with significant Midwest presence. It competes for Hoekstra's grocery and dry van business at the larger end of the market while offering dedicated, logistics, and cross-border services beyond Hoekstra's regional scope.
- Knight-Swift Transportation: Knight-Swift is the largest truckload carrier in North America following its Swift acquisition, with extensive Midwest TL capacity. It serves grocery and dry van shippers at scale and competes for the same regional contract and dedicated business Hoekstra targets.
- J.B. Hunt Transport Services: J.B. Hunt is a major multi-modal carrier with one of the largest truckload and intermodal networks in the U.S. It competes with Hoekstra for Midwest shipper accounts while also offering dedicated contract services and digital freight matching that overlap with Hoekstra's customer base.
Direct peers
- Heartland Express: Heartland Express operates an irregular route truckload network similar in geographic and operational profile to Hoekstra's Midwest regional focus. Both are asset-based TL carriers competing for similar mid-sized shipper business in the Midwest.
- Carter Express: Carter Express is a regional truckload and dedicated carrier with comparable scale, operating in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. It competes with Hoekstra for mid-sized shipper business with similar asset-based and dedicated service offerings.
- Crete Carrier Corporation: Crete Carrier is a family-influenced, asset-based long-haul truckload carrier headquartered in the Midwest. Like Hoekstra, Crete emphasizes driver quality, safety recognition, and dedicated service to shippers, making it a strong comparable in business model and culture.
- Marten Transport: Marten Transport is a mid-sized long-haul truckload carrier with temperature-controlled and dry van capabilities, similar in scale and asset-based regional model to Hoekstra. Both operate with modern fleet equipment and emphasize service quality over pure volume, making them directly comparable.
- D.M. Bowman: D.M. Bowman is a family-owned regional truckload and logistics provider serving the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest with similar asset-based operations and dedicated service emphasis. Comparable in size, family-owned culture, and shipper-relationship focus.
Emerging players
- Loadsmart: Loadsmart is a digital freight broker and technology-enabled carrier matching platform that increasingly competes for regional truckload shipper spend. It represents the emerging technology-driven competitive threat to traditional asset-based regional carriers like Hoekstra.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hoekstra Transportation social profiles
Digital presenceHoekstra Transportation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Hoekstra Transportation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hoekstra Transportation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Hoekstra Transportation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hoekstra Transportation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hoekstra Transportation
What does Hoekstra Transportation do?
Hoekstra Transportation is a regional truckload carrier operating within a 500-mile radius of the Chicago Metro area, specializing in the transportation of grocery and general dry goods with average hauls of 200-300 miles. The company operates a fleet of conventional Freightliner and Peterbilt tractors providing primarily drop-and-hook, no touch freight with no hazmat, no railyard, and no Northeast/NYC routes, supported by real-time shipment tracking via an online TMS portal. Services are delivered through multiple driver career programs including regional, local, dedicated, dedicated flex, and owner operator positions, all anchored on guaranteed minimum weekly pay and practical door-to-door mileage.
Is Hoekstra Transportation a public or private company?
Hoekstra Transportation is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Hoekstra Transportation founded?
Hoekstra Transportation was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Hoekstra Transportation based?
Hoekstra Transportation is headquartered in Kankakee, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hoekstra Transportation make money?
One revenue line is on record: freight Transportation Services.
Who are Hoekstra Transportation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Schneider National, Werner Enterprises, Knight-Swift Transportation and J.B. Hunt Transport Services. Direct peers are Heartland Express, Carter Express, Crete Carrier Corporation, Marten Transport and D.M. Bowman. Loadsmart is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hoekstra Transportation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hoekstra Transportation.
What industry is Hoekstra Transportation in?
Hoekstra Transportation's product category is Truckload Freight Transportation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADADAA, Dry Van (General Freight) TL Carriers, with a secondary code of TLADADAG, Expedited / Time-Critical TL Carriers. Its NAICS code is 484121 and its SIC code is 4210.