The supply chain landscape is rapidly evolving, driving shippers away from traditional Full Truckload (FTL) and Less-than-Truckload (LTL) options and toward nimble, high-security solutions. At the recent Journal of Commerce Inland Distribution Conference in Chicago, industry experts Kristin Ruder, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, and Mike Ernst, President, detailed how their company, Expedite All, is pioneering the emerging space they call Small Truckload (STL).
Expedite All is the largest provider of small vehicle solutions in North America, maintaining a closed-loop network of over 11,000 sprinters, box trucks, and straight trucks.
Coining the Term: Small Truckload (STL)
As shippers seek faster transit times without committing to a full 53-footer or risking the uncertainties and "touches" of an LTL network, the demand for exclusive-use small vehicle solutions is surging.
Mike Ernst explained that STL is the necessary space between FTL and LTL:
"We fit in between because you’re going to get an exclusive-use vehicle. So door-to-door, it’s just your freight. Nobody else’s freight goes in there, and there’s no touches."
This exclusive use model offers the fastest ground option available, coupled with the safety and security of knowing that no other freight will contact the shipment. The data confirms the shift, showing a calculated growth rate for this segment hovering between 17.5% to 19.5% over the last three years.
What is Driving Urgency in the Market?
While some have characterized the market as being in a down freight cycle, Expedite All continues to serve customers with critical, urgent needs. This urgency is being driven by fundamental shifts in logistics and consumer behavior:
• Driver and Equipment Costs: The challenge of finding Class A CDL drivers, along with high equipment costs, regulatory compliance burdens, and soaring insurance costs, makes utilizing large carriers difficult.
• The Amazon Effect: Supply chains now operate under the expectation of immediacy. Customers want products shipped today for delivery tomorrow or the next day, leading to businesses needing rapid replenishment for production lines, point-of-sale displays, or inventory.
• Nimble Inventory Management: Customers are ordering smaller quantities more regularly, moving away from massive three- to six-month inventory commitments. This practice avoids overstocking and allows for quicker replenishment, which falls right within the small vehicle wheelhouse. This trend is expected to be further amplified by the use of AI in procurement, enabling rapid decisions on sourcing products domestically, cross-border, or via import on short notice. Automotive and pharmaceutical industries have always sought expedited solutions, but the need is becoming widespread.
Mitigating Risk in the Face of Rising Cargo Theft
A crucial benefit of the closed-loop network utilized by Expedite All is the unprecedented level of security it offers in an environment plagued by cargo theft and fraud.
Kristen Rutder highlighted the company’s stringent safety protocols:
"I can say with certainty that we’ve never had a full theft in our environment ever."
The Expedite All network is exclusive, requiring providers to meet specific insurance requirements and undergo full vetting. The company tracks every driver in its network 24/7/365, providing clients with crucial visibility.
Mike Ernst noted that modern cargo theft is increasingly strategic and coordinated, moving far beyond the old "smash and grab" incidents. He also pointed out the particular risk associated with smaller vehicles like Sprinters, which often do not require an MC or DOT number under FMCSA regulations, making vetting difficult without a dedicated partner.
Rutder further emphasized the security advantage of avoiding third-party marketplaces:
"85% of stolen loads come from a load board. And that’s absolutely not what Expedite All is."
By cultivating an exclusive network, Expedite All eliminates a key point of vulnerability and brings the safety and certainty of an asset-based provider to the marketplace.
Emerging Markets: Refrigerated STL and Cross-Border Trade
Looking ahead, Expedite All is expanding its niche offerings, specifically in temperature control. The company is investing heavily to grow its fleet of temperature-controlled units across all three vehicle types, recognizing that refrigerated LTL often rejects certain products, and many shipments are too small for expensive 53-foot refrigerated FTL carriers.
The need for STL solutions is also expanding across borders. Expedite All offers cross-border services into Canada and Mexico, including intra-Mexico service with offices in Mexico City, Cetrum, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. This flexibility meets the growing need for nimble supply material movement within Mexico itself.