As Trucking Industry Changes and Grows, AFI Continues to Make its Mark

by | Aug 15, 2019

If you’re reading this blog, it’s very likely that you already know how vital the trucking industry is to the US. In fact, 71% of all freight in the US is delivered by truck.

But did you know some of these other amazing facts about the trucking industry?

American Freight Inc. is proud to be part of this growing industry. AFI projects that in 2019, we will:

  • Facilitate approximately 272,000 tonnes of freight (up from 163,300 tonnes in 2017).
  • Pay approximately $15 million in wages to truckers (up from $9.9 million in 2017).
  • Move about $975 million worth of freight (up from $585 million in 2017).

Truck drivers who go through AFI will travel over 6.5 million miles in 2019, which is up from just under 5 million miles in 2017.

American Freight Inc. prides itself on a reputation for excellence in the trucking industry. For almost 20 years, we have focused on building strong partnerships with high-quality carriers to ensure that customers get the freight they need on the timeline they expect. Troy Hutchens, President, says, “I have always believed that brokers or ‘logistics firms’ should work as a bridge between carriers and customers and vice versa—not as an enemy or competition.”

At AFI, we consider ourselves a “trucker first” brokerage. As a third generation truck driver, our Vice President, Dave Marleau, has a clear understanding of the challenges drivers face. “From driving all night long to meet a 6:00 a.m. loading or delivery appointment, to the ‘hurry up and wait’ that happens a lot at shippers and receivers, to stringent federal regulations, to the stress of being away from family for days or weeks at a time, drivers make a lot of sacrifices to make sure the products we buy every day are always on the local shelves,” he says. “We at AFI love our truckers!”

AFI still pays its carriers within 21 days and focuses on building strong relationships with excellent carriers to keep the freight moving across the country. “Paying our carriers quickly helps them keep their businesses humming and gives customers the assurance that our truckers aren’t being gouged,” says Hutchens.

Twenty years is just the beginning. AFI is looking forward to contributing to the proud tradition of freight hauling for decades to come. Contact us to learn how you can be a part of our team.