Earlier this month, without warning, US Logistics Solutions (USLA) closed up shop and laid off approximately 2,000 people.
The Humble, Texas-based logistics and trucking company was informed of the news from its parent company via messaging by text and a conference call.
The layoffs hit truck drivers, warehouse workers, and dock workers. Eric Culberson, the now-former President of USLS, said that the company's owner—private equity firm Ten Oaks Group headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina—shut down operations and left the Texas company without a payroll.
Via a LinkedIn message, Culberson wrote: “Due to the abrupt decision by our private ownership group to close our doors at the same time business was surging, I am completely devastated and heartbroken for the 2000+ professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with. The timing of this closure did not give me the chance to thank my team for their commitment and support to our customers and to each other. I’m proud of the team we assembled across the country and the countless hours of dedication to our customers. If there are any employers out there looking for some outstanding talent within the industry, please consider my former teammates at US Logistics Solutions (formerly Forward Air Solutions). These are some of the most dedicated professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my career, and my heart hurts for them right now. We all deserved better, and I’m confident that everyone will be blessed with another opportunity to showcase the Excellence we strived for every day.”
Along with USLA, there have been other recent layoffs in the US freight and logistics industry.
Universal Logistics of Warren, Michigan, laid off 677 people from two of its Detroit-based subsidiaries, including an auto parts warehousing and logistics facility. Some 230 truck drivers were affected.
Warren was doubly hit, as RXO Logistics, a transportation solutions provider, laid off 144 people at its Warren, Michigan, facility. The layoffs are from RXO Managed Transport.
In Atlanta, Georgia, Swissport Cargo Services, a global cargo handler, laid off 235 employees after losing a contract with Amazon.
Ryder Integrated Logistics laid off 29 workers from a trucking facility in Romeoville, Illinois, also after losing a big customer.
Nosco, Inc. (a subsidiary of Holden Industries, Inc.), is a packaging solutions provider that closed a facility in Carrollton, Texas, laying off 51 workers.
Kroger Company let 230 people go and permanently closed delivery hubs in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, and Miami, Florida. These facilities were part of the e-commerce grocery delivery service, Kroger Fulfillment Network. Of those let go, it hit 198 delivery drivers.