Sell a Trucking Company in Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Moves a Lot of Freight

Few cities sit closer to the center of American freight. BNSF Railway is headquartered here, AllianceTexas draws distribution centers to the north side, and interstates run in every direction.

That keeps buyers interested in carriers with steady lanes out of Tarrant County. It also means they have plenty of companies to compare yours against, so preparation shows.

Your Safety Record Is Part of the Price

Before a buyer looks at your margins, they will likely pull your public safety data from the FMCSA. Inspections, crashes and out of service rates all show up there.

A clean record helps in two ways. It tells buyers you run a disciplined operation, and it affects what the next owner will pay for insurance, which can move the price a lot.

If there are problems in your history, deal with them before going to market. Show what changed, such as new training, cameras or a stricter hiring standard.

Operating Authority and the Deal Structure

Interstate carriers operate under a USDOT number and authority from the FMCSA. Carriers that stay inside Texas also register with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for a TxDMV number.

How you sell affects those numbers. In a stock sale, the buyer takes over the company that already holds them. In an asset sale, the buyer often runs the trucks under its own authority.

Each path carries tradeoffs on taxes, liability and how long a gap the customers might see. Your broker and your accountant should weigh asset versus stock sale early.

Where Your Freight Comes From

Buyers want to know who your customers are and how much of your revenue comes through freight brokers versus direct shippers. Direct contracts usually earn more trust.

• Revenue by customer for the last three years
• Revenue per loaded mile and empty miles by lane
• Contract terms and rate history with your top shippers
• How long each major customer has been with you

If one shipper or one freight broker makes up a large share of your loads, a buyer will discount for it. Adding even a few new direct accounts before a sale can help.

Trucks and Trailers

Your equipment is often the biggest asset on the balance sheet. Buyers check age, mileage, maintenance logs and what is still owed on each unit.

A fleet that was kept up on schedule, with records to prove it, supports a stronger price. Plan major replacements with the sale in mind, since new debt and new trucks both show up in due diligence.

Drivers and Dispatch

Driver turnover is a constant headache in this industry. A carrier that keeps its drivers stands out, so show tenure, pay and how many company drivers versus owner operators you use.

Dispatch matters just as much. If you personally book loads and handle the big shippers, start handing that work to a dispatcher or operations manager now.

Pricing a Carrier

Trucking companies are usually priced on adjusted earnings, with equipment value close behind. A sound business valuation sorts out how much of the price is the fleet and how much is the business that keeps it moving.

Buyers range from other carriers adding trucks and lanes to investors buying a first fleet with SBA financing. Larger carriers may pay more for strong customer contracts but ask for a longer transition.

Getting Started

Find out what your trucking company could sell for with the free valuation form, or call (817) 555-0142. It is private and costs nothing.

Want a sense of timing? Read how long it takes to sell a business.