Landstar was among three industry representatives recently asked to examine industry challenges to truckload operations in 2025.

Landstar System Holdings, Inc. President Joe Beacom, participated in a panel discussion at the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) annual convention in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 18.

Beacom was one of the representatives from the country’s largest carriers who discussed issues facing the freight transportation market. In addition to Beacom, the roundtable included executives from Knight-Swift Transportation and TFI International.

During the discussion, the experts shared their perspectives on facing the challenges to operations during economic uncertainty following a downturn in the market.

Beacom indicated that Landstar is sharpening its focus on supporting its business capacity owners (BCOs) by looking for ways to reinforce the unique relationship between its independent owner-operators and independent freight agents. For example, the company is considering enhancements to load management technology and fostering connections across the agent network based on compatible freight opportunities and BCO capabilities.

“Freedom and independence are really what we’re selling,” Beacom said during the panel. “We take out that complexity of compliance and enhance the owner-operator’s ability to find freight that works for their business.”

Supporting agents and BCOs has been vital to Landstar’s business model and profitability. For instance, the company has long helped its agents and BCOs remain professionally qualified to service the movement of hazardous materials by requiring agent education and hazmat endorsement for BCOs.

On the freight agent side of Landstar’s operations, Beacom said the company is focusing on specific strategic initiatives, like cross-border services and heavy haul, two areas in which the company believes its agents and BCOs have industry-leading capabilities and expertise. In particular, heavy haul has been met with consistent demand across multiple industries, including aerospace, defense, government, automotive, and 3PL, according to the company’s quarterly reports. Landstar also continues to invest in capturing cross-border opportunities as the current uncertainty surrounding U.S. foreign policy evolves.

By expanding its support to agents within these initiatives, Landstar helps increase the options agents have to meet a variety of customers’ needs and foster success.

"Despite a sluggish industrial economy, we've seen a consistent demand for these types of services," Beacom said in a separate statement. "We're investing in agent development, sales, and marketing to encourage our agents to get into those markets and support their customers with excellent service, load security and safety to customers."

What’s clear amongst the speakers at the discussion panel is the critical nature of independent contractors for the industry. Many of today’s large carriers started as single-truck owner-operators or small fleet operations. According to the panel discussion, the freight economy relies on independent contractor owner-operators who provide much-needed capacity, and fuel the trucking industry's entrepreneurial spirit.