Walmart Inc. has claimed the top spot on Transport Topics’ 2024 Top 100 Private Carriers list, surpassing PepsiCo Inc. and becoming the largest private motor carrier in North America. This achievement comes as Walmart expanded its fleet to 12,663 power units—an increase of about 1,300 units from the previous year—overtaking PepsiCo, which held the top position for 14 years.
Walmart’s rise to No. 1 is attributed not only to the expansion of its fleet but also to its significant investment in its drivers. The company has enhanced driver pay and launched a training program to transition in-store and warehouse employees into professional driving roles. The first cohort of this program began their careers on the road last year.
This marks a return to the top for Walmart, which last held the No. 1 position in 2002, before selling its food service distribution subsidiary, McLane Co., to Berkshire Hathaway. McLane continues to be a major private fleet operator, currently ranking No. 8 on the list.
Beyond Walmart’s ascent, the updated list also reflects significant industry changes, including mergers and acquisitions. Notable new entries include Dollar General, which debuts at No. 18 after expanding its fleet to over 2,000 tractors, and The Home Depot, which enters at No. 50 following its acquisition of SRS Distribution.
Other newcomers to the list include Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Matheson Tri-Gas, Cheney Brothers, and AutoZone Inc. Transport Topics compiles this list using data from fleet surveys, company management correspondence, and public carrier registration records with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
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