PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Effective July 1, 2023, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX) (“Knight-Swift” or the “Company”) closed on the previously-announced acquisition of U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. (“U.S. Xpress”) following the approval by U.S. Xpress’ shareholders on June 29, 2023. Upon completion of the transaction, U.S. Xpress was de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange.
Knight-Swift CEO, Dave Jackson, commented, “We are grateful for the efforts of so many who worked diligently to bring about such a significant transaction in the truckload industry. Against the current backdrop of a particularly difficult business environment, the chance to add one of the largest brands in our industry, with significant opportunity to improve earnings, gain customers and reach more professional drivers, is a compelling part of our plan to drive higher highs and higher lows across successive truckload freight cycles. As we have engaged with more of the U.S. Xpress organization since the announcement, we have even more confidence that our combined efforts will lead to achievement of the profitability targets we communicated. Our cross-functional synergy teams made up of leaders from Knight, Swift, and U.S. Xpress are off to a great start collaborating on plans to share best practices, improve operations and leverage economies of scale – and now they have the green light to fully engage. While the truckload part of the organization focuses on achieving the goals we have laid out for U.S. Xpress, our LTL and M&A teams remain focused on our strategic priority of continuing to build out a nationwide LTL network.”
Knight-Swift also is providing an update on current market conditions as management anticipates that consolidated second-quarter results will be lower than previously expected. This decline in operating performance is largely driven by the full truckload market, where persistently soft demand has caused volumes and pricing to be under greater pressure than originally anticipated, while costs remain stable on a sequential basis. This dynamic is expected to drive an estimated 1,100-1,200 basis point degradation in consolidated operating margins year-over-year for the quarter. The Company expects to update its annual earnings guidance to reflect the current operating conditions and outlook as well as the inclusion of U.S. Xpress for the back half of the year in conjunction with its scheduled earnings release and presentation on July 20, 2023.
About U.S. Xpress
U.S. Xpress is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee and generated approximately $2.2 billion in total operating revenue in 2022 while serving its blue-chip customer base through a network of approximately 14 facilities, primarily located across the eastern United States. U.S. Xpress’ fleet includes approximately 7,200 tractors and 15,000 trailers, including tractors provided by approximately 900 independent contractors. The company’s highly skilled workforce includes approximately 7,700 drivers (including independent contractors), 300 maintenance technicians, and 1,900 non-driver employees.
About Knight-Swift
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is one of North America’s largest and most diversified freight transportation companies, providing multiple truckload transportation, less-than-truckload, logistics, and business services to the shipping and transportation sectors. Knight-Swift uses a nationwide network of business units and terminals in the United States and Mexico to serve customers throughout North America. In addition to operating the country’s largest tractor fleet, Knight-Swift also contracts with third-party equipment providers to provide a broad range of services to its customers while creating quality driving jobs for driving associates and successful business opportunities for independent contractors.
