US Xpress finally buys out Arnold, only Grand Prairie to remain "Arnold"

Surprised this is not in the news anywhere, but since I've heard it direct from both Arnold and US Xpress I'll report here what I know...

Last week US Xpress fully bought out Arnold, the Jacksonville, FL operations as well as the Duncan, SC operations. The only operations to remain "Arnold Transportation" (not sold) will be the Grand Prairie operations. According to the driver hotline that the Fuller's have put into place (877-510-3103), the purchase will open up a much needed regional line for US Xpress, where demand for this is even higher than ever. Supposedly they are turning away thousands of loads per week regionally because they did not have the capacity... now they will.

We are being told that this is a "good thing" for the Arnold drivers, that mileage and pay will both increase. The name "Arnold" will be replaced by US Xpress on all trucks when they are serviced at terminals.

So I guess it's "Good bye Arnold" unless you are based out of Texas. It's been a roller coaster over the last few years, with Arnold "Getting back to our roots" after investment bankers allowed them to purchase a majority share back from US Xpress last year (after the Link America merger). Now it looks like the old Arnold as we knew it has finally passed away...

I suppose I'm not shocked, really. I knew something had to give this year. The majority of Arnold trailers are very aged and there appears to have been no plans to buy any new ones. Although we were told new trucks were on order, and supposedly they have been arriving, they have all been kept to the Grand Prairie operation and none have seen their way to Jax or Duncan. So the writing was on the wall with this acquisition (by some trucking company) for months now.

 

Yes from what I understand the old Arnold will continue to operate the way it was, only now fully owned by US Xpress. However you'll have to apply to US Xpress now, then you can specify regional.

 

Hey anj, those Internationals in the pic... they don't say "MaxForce" on the side... I saw an official email in Shippensburg that said the new Internationals would be white (they obviously are) and that they would have the Detroit engine. Do they have the Detroit Diesel or what?