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{{Short description|Logistics company}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
⚫
| name = Swift Transportation
| logo = Swift Transportation logo.png
| name = Swift Transportation
⚫
| logo = Swift Transportation logo.png
| image = [[File:SWIFT_container.jpeg|300px|frameless]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| image =
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| traded_as = {{NYSE was|KNX}}
| traded_as = {{NYSE was|KNX}}
| foundation = October 10th, 1966
| foundation = October 10, 1966
| location = [[Phoenix, Arizona]], United States
| location = [[Phoenix, Arizona]], United States
| key_people = ''Kevin Knight'' {{small|(CEO)}}
| key_people = {{nowrap|Adam W. Miller}} {{nowrap|([[President (corporate title)|President]])}}{{nowrap|([[CEO]])}}{{!}}
{{nowrap|Andrew Hess}} {{nowrap|([[CFO]])}}
| num_employees = 21,900<ref>{{cite web|title=Knight-Swift|url=http://knight-swift.com/about/ |website=[[Knight-Swift]] – |accessdate=February 2019 |date=February 22, 2019}}</ref>
| num_employees = 21,900<ref>{{cite web|title=Knight-Swift|url=http://knight-swift.com/about/ |website=[[Knight-Swift]] – |access-date=2020-08-28 |date=2019-02-22}}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2019
| num_employees_year = 2019
| industry = Motor transportation<br>OTR [[trucking]]
| industry = Motor transportation<br>OTR [[trucking]]
| products = Truckload carrier
| products = Truckload carrier
| parent = [[Knight-Swift]]
| parent = [[Knight-Swift]]
| homepage = [http://www.swifttrans.com/ www.swifttrans.com]
| homepage = [http://www.swifttrans.com/ www.swifttrans.com]
}}
}}
[[File:SWIFT LOGO gif tiny.gif|thumb|Previous logo]]
[[File:SWIFT LOGO gif tiny.gif|thumb|Previous logo]]
'''Swift Transportation''' is a [[Phoenix, Arizona]]-based [[United States|American]] [[Truckload shipping|truckload motor shipping carrier]], part of [[Knight-Swift]]. With over 23,000 trucks, it is the largest common carrier in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=It's Official And Knight-Swift Is The Largest Trucking Company In The US |url=https://www.careersingear.com/blog/official-knight-swift-largest-trucking-company-11923 |accessdate=1 July 2018}}</ref> In 2017, Swift merged with [[Knight Transportation]], also of Phoenix,<ref name="SwiftMergeFox">{{cite news|title=Truckers Swift and Knight Combine in a Deal Valued Over $5B|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/04/10/truckers-swift-and-knight-combine-in-deal-valued-over-5b.html|accessdate=10 April 2017|date=10 April 2017}}</ref> effective September 8, 2017.<ref name="YahooMerger">{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/swift-transportation-stockholders-approve-proposed-200100177.html|accessdate=8 September 2017|date=7 September 2017}}</ref>
'''Swift Transportation''' is a [[Phoenix, Arizona]]-based [[United States|American]] [[Truckload shipping|truckload motor shipping carrier]], part of [[Knight-Swift]]. With over 23,000 trucks, it is the largest common carrier in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=It's Official And Knight-Swift Is The Largest Trucking Company In The US |url=https://www.careersingear.com/blog/official-knight-swift-largest-trucking-company-11923 |access-date=1 July 2018}}</ref> In 2017, Swift merged with [[Knight Transportation]], also of Phoenix.<ref name="SwiftMergeFox">{{cite news|title=Truckers Swift and Knight Combine in a Deal Valued Over $5B|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/04/10/truckers-swift-and-knight-combine-in-deal-valued-over-5b.html|access-date=10 April 2017|date=10 April 2017}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Carl Moyes was a [[truck driver]] hauling produce for [[C. R. England Trucking]] in the 1940s out of northern [[Utah]].<ref name=DemossJ-OSE-2005-01-30>Demoss, Jeff. - "Four major trucking firms have roots in Plain City". - ''[[Ogden Standard-Examiner]]''. - January 30, 2005. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref> In the late 1950s Betty and Carl Moyes started a small trucking company in [[Plain City, Utah]], B & C Truck Leasing. After their son, Jerry, graduated from [[Weber State University]] in 1966, they moved the small company to [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. Carl and his two sons, Ronald and Jerry (vice-president), formed the company '''Common Market''' in Arizona, that would become Swift.
Carl Moyes was a [[truck driver]] hauling produce for [[C.R. England]] in the 1940s out of northern [[Utah]].<ref name=DemossJ-OSE-2005-01-30>Demoss, Jeff. - "Four major trucking firms have roots in Plain City". - ''[[Ogden Standard-Examiner]]''. - January 30, 2005. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref> In the late 1950s Betty and Carl Moyes started a small trucking company in [[Plain City, Utah]], B & C Truck Leasing. After their son, Jerry, graduated from [[Weber State University]] in 1966, they moved the small company to [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. Carl and his two sons, Ronald and Jerry (vice-president), formed the company '''Common Market''' in Arizona, that would become Swift.


Operations began in 1966 transporting imported [[steel]] from the ports of [[Los Angeles, California]] to [[Phoenix, Arizona]], and returning with [[cotton]] from [[Arizona]] to be delivered to [[Southern California]].<ref name=ST-About>[http://www.swifttrans.com/template.asp?PageOrder=2a About Swift: Company History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217155927/http://swifttrans.com/template.asp?PageOrder=2a |date=2008-12-17 }}. - Swift Transportation</ref>
Operations began in 1966<ref name=":1" /> transporting imported [[steel]] from the ports of [[Los Angeles, California]] to [[Phoenix, Arizona]], and returning with [[cotton]] from [[Arizona]] to be delivered to [[Southern California]].<ref name=ST-About>[http://www.swifttrans.com/template.asp?PageOrder=2a About Swift: Company History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217155927/http://swifttrans.com/template.asp?PageOrder=2a |date=2008-12-17 }}. - Swift Transportation</ref>


The name Swift Transportation was purchased from a descendant of the [[Swift & Company|Swift Meat Packing]] family, when the Moyes family bought the trucking assets of Swift & Company. The three Moyes family members and a fourth partner, Randy Knight, grew the business to $25 million in annual revenues by 1984. Jerry Moyes became president, chairman, and CEO that same year, and when Carl died in 1985, Jerry bought out the other two partners, his brother Ronald and Randy Knight. Ronald would continue to hold shares in Swift while Randy would become a co-founder of [[Knight Transportation]].<ref name=HarrisC-AR-2004-10-30>Harris, Craig. - "Knight's Profits On a Roll - Valley-Based Trucking Firm Again Makes 'Forbes' List". - ''[[Arizona Republic]]''. - October 30, 2004. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>
The name Swift Transportation was purchased from a descendant of the [[Swift & Company|Swift Meat Packing]] family, when the Moyes family bought the trucking assets of Swift & Company. The three Moyes family members and a fourth partner, Randy Knight, grew the business to $25 million in annual revenues by 1984. Jerry Moyes became president, chairman, and CEO that same year, and when Carl died in 1985, Jerry bought out the other two partners, his brother Ronald and Randy Knight. Ronald would continue to hold shares in Swift while Randy would become a co-founder of [[Knight Transportation]].<ref name=HarrisC-AR-2004-10-30>Harris, Craig. - "Knight's Profits On a Roll - Valley-Based Trucking Firm Again Makes 'Forbes' List". - ''[[Arizona Republic]]''. - October 30, 2004. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>


In April 1988 Swift purchased [[Greenville, South Carolina]]-based Cooper Motor Lines from [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]-based [[Aramark|ARA Services]].<ref>Entrepreneurship Founders: [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/advisoryboard/detail.cfm?mem=1104&group=3 Jerry C. Moyes]. - [[Marriott School of Management]]. - [[Brigham Young University]]. In 1997 Swift bought a bankrupt Direct Transit Inc. based in [[South Dakota]] - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>
In April 1988 Swift purchased [[Greenville, South Carolina]]-based Cooper Motor Lines from [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]-based [[Aramark|ARA Services]].<ref>Entrepreneurship Founders: [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/advisoryboard/detail.cfm?mem=1104&group=3 Jerry C. Moyes]. - [[Marriott School of Management]]. - [[Brigham Young University]]. In 1997 Swift bought a bankrupt Direct Transit Inc. based in [[South Dakota]] - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>


By 1990, Swift Transportation had grown to a $125 million carrier with over 800 trucks.<ref name=ST-About /> The company held an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) in 1990 and became a publicly traded entity on the [[NASDAQ]] market system under the symbol SWFT.
By 1990, Swift Transportation had grown to a $125 million carrier with over 800 trucks.<ref name=ST-About /> The company held an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) in 1990 and became a publicly traded entity on the [[NASDAQ]] market system under the symbol SWFT.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sirtori-Cortina |first=Daniela |title=New Billionaire: Swift Transportation Founder Jerry Moyes' Rocky Road To Three-Comma Fortune |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielasirtori/2016/12/22/swift-transportation-founder-jerry-moyes-rocky-road-to-1-billion-fortune/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2015-01-23 |title=Swift Transportation’s history of successful growth |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/swift-transportation-history-successful-growth-225426944.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref>


In 1991, with money raised in the IPO, Swift bought [[Stephens City, Virginia]]-based
In 1991, with money raised in the IPO, Swift bought [[Stephens City, Virginia]]-based
Arthur H. Fulton Inc. for $9 million out of [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]].<ref>"Trucking Company is Made an Offer". - [[Associated Press]]. - (c/o [[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]). - July 26, 1991. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>
Arthur H. Fulton Inc. for $9 million out of [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]].<ref>"Trucking Company is Made an Offer". - [[Associated Press]]. - (c/o [[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]). - July 26, 1991. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>


In a similar move, in 2001 Moyes purchased the assets of Dick Simon Trucking, which had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Those assets were rolled into Moyes's small Central Freight Lines out of Texas, and later spun off as the separate entity Central Refrigerated Service, which remained wholly owned by Moyes until its subsequent sale to and merger with Swift. That sale was announced in summer 2013, and the merger completed on February 1, 2014. Moyes received $180 million in cash for the sale.
In a similar move, in 2001 Moyes purchased the assets of Dick Simon Trucking, which had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Those assets were rolled into Moyes's small [[Central Freight Lines]] out of Texas, and later spun off as the separate entity Central Refrigerated Service, which remained wholly owned by Moyes until its subsequent sale to and merger with Swift.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} That sale was announced in summer 2013,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2013-08-08 |title=Swift acquires Central Refrigerated Transportation |url=https://www.fleetowner.com/refrigerated-transporter/reefer-operations/article/21228441/swift-acquires-central-refrigerated-transportation |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=FleetOwner}}</ref> and the merger completed on February 1, 2014. Moyes received $180 million in cash for the sale.<ref name=":0" />


The company's growth continued since 1988 with the purchase of eleven motor carriers throughout the United States, including M.S. Carriers, of [[Memphis, Tennessee]] in 2000. The shareholders of M.S. Carriers obtained a 22% stake in the combined company.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_Dec_11/ai_67925635 "Swift and M.S. Carriers Announce Merger"]. - [[Business Wire]]. - (c/o Find Articles). - December 11, 2000</ref>
The company's growth continued since 1988 with the purchase of eleven motor carriers throughout the United States, including M.S. Carriers, of [[Memphis, Tennessee]] in 2001.<ref name=":1" /> The shareholders of M.S. Carriers obtained a 22% stake in the combined company.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_Dec_11/ai_67925635 "Swift and M.S. Carriers Announce Merger"]. - [[Business Wire]]. - (c/o Find Articles). - December 11, 2000</ref>


Moyes was soon to retire when he was forced out as [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) at Swift in October 2005 after a [[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) investigation into [[insider trading]]. Without admitting or denying wrongdoing he paid a $1.26 million settlement. The Moyes family still controlled about 39% of the public stock.<ref name=DN-2007-04-30>"Swift Transportation shareholders approve buyout". - ''[[Deseret News]]''. - April 30, 2007. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref><ref name=AR-2007-04-28>"Swift's Shareholders Vote Moyes - Longtime Transportation Firm Will Be Sold Back to Founder". - ''[[Arizona Republic]]''. - April 28, 2007. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>
Moyes was soon to retire when he was forced out as [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) at Swift in October 2005 after a [[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) investigation into [[insider trading]]. Without admitting or denying wrongdoing he paid a $1.26 million settlement. The Moyes family still controlled about 39% of the public stock.<ref name=DN-2007-04-30>"Swift Transportation shareholders approve buyout". - ''[[Deseret News]]''. - April 30, 2007. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref><ref name=AR-2007-04-28>"Swift's Shareholders Vote Moyes - Longtime Transportation Firm Will Be Sold Back to Founder". - ''[[Arizona Republic]]''. - April 28, 2007. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30</ref>


In November 2006 Moyes offered to buy Swift for $29 a share. The offer was raised to $2.4 billion ($31.55 per share) for shares not controlled by the family and assumption of $332 million in outstanding debt. The transaction closed on May 10, 2007.<ref name=AR-2007-05-11>"Sale officially concludes for Swift Transportation". - ''[[Arizona Republic]]''. - May 11, 2007</ref> To finance the acquisition, Moyes formed Saint Acquisition Corporation, and issued $2.1 billion of a senior secured credit facility and $835 million in second-lien senior secured notes.<ref name=DN-2007-04-30 /> The company's drivers and eighty-three percent of outstanding shares (approximately half of those controlled by the family) supported the buyout.<ref name=AR-2007-04-28 />
In November 2006 Moyes offered to buy Swift for $29 a share. The offer was raised to $2.4 billion ($31.55 per share) for shares not controlled by the family and assumption of $332 million in outstanding debt. The transaction closed on May 10, 2007.<ref name=AR-2007-05-11>"Sale officially concludes for Swift Transportation". - ''[[Arizona Republic]]''. - May 11, 2007</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2007 |title=Swift Transportation agrees to be acquired by Jerry Moyes |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSIN20070122034329SWFT/ |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> To finance the acquisition, Moyes formed Saint Acquisition Corporation, and issued $2.1 billion of a senior secured credit facility and $835 million in second-lien senior secured notes.<ref name=DN-2007-04-30 /> The company's drivers and eighty-three percent of outstanding shares (approximately half of those controlled by the family) supported the buyout.<ref name=AR-2007-04-28 />


Swift’s terminal network grew to over forty full service facilities in the continental United States and Mexico before contracting during the [[2008 recession]]. The total number of employees dropped from 21,900,<ref name=Hoovers-Swift>[http://www.hoovers.com/swift-transportation/--ID__15252--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml Swift Transportation Co., Inc.]. - Hoover's</ref> to approximately 17,700.<ref name=P424B4-2010-12-17>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1492691/000095012310114650/c58386b4e424b4.htm ''424B4 Prospectus'']. - Swift Transportation Company. - December 17, 2010.</ref> Swift owns 100% of Trans-Mex, a [[Nuevo Laredo]], Mexico-based carrier. Swift offers border crossing services at all major [[Mexico|Mexican]] border crossings. Swift maintains a presence in every [[Canadian Province]].<ref name=ST-About />
Swift’s terminal network grew to over forty full service facilities in the continental United States and Mexico before contracting during the [[2008 recession]]. The total number of employees dropped from 21,900,<ref name=Hoovers-Swift>[http://www.hoovers.com/swift-transportation/--ID__15252--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml Swift Transportation Co., Inc.]. - Hoover's</ref> to approximately 17,700.<ref name=P424B4-2010-12-17>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1492691/000095012310114650/c58386b4e424b4.htm ''424B4 Prospectus'']. - Swift Transportation Company. - December 17, 2010.</ref> Swift owns 100% of Trans-Mex, a [[Nuevo Laredo]], Mexico-based carrier. Swift offers border crossing services at all major [[Mexico|Mexican]] border crossings. Swift maintains a presence in every [[Canadian Province]].<ref name=ST-About />


The company operated 16,200 units (12,300 tractors by company drivers and 3,900 owner-operator tractors), a fleet of 48,600 trailers, and 4,500 intermodal containers from 35 terminals in the United States and Mexico, generating just over $2.5 billion in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009.<ref name=P424B4-2010-12-17/>
The company operated 16,200 units (12,300 tractors by company drivers and 3,900 owner-operator tractors), a fleet of 48,600 trailers, and 4,500 intermodal containers from 35 terminals in the United States and Mexico, generating just over $2.5 billion in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009.<ref name=P424B4-2010-12-17/>


Swift Transportation became public again on December 16, 2010, trading on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (NYSE).<ref>{{cite news |author=Cowan, Lynn |publisher=Dow Jones Newswires |title=Swift Transport Trading Flat After Pricing Below Range |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=December 16, 2010 }}</ref> The company offered 73,300,000 shares at $11.00 per share, raising almost $766 million, with the proceeds used for debt reduction. The offering represented 54.9% of the company, valuing the company at $1.86 billion. Due to the economic downturn, the IPO was below Moyes leveraged-buyout (LBO) price of $17.61. With the offering the name changed from Swift Holdings Corp. to Swift Transportation Company.<ref name=P424B4-2010-12-17/><ref>{{cite news|author1=Spears, Lee |author2=Michael Tsang |last-author-amp=yes |title=Jerry Moyes Selling at Discount to LBO in Swift IPO |journal=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |date=December 14, 2010}}</ref>
Swift Transportation became public again on December 16, 2010, trading on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (NYSE).<ref>{{cite news |author=Cowan, Lynn |publisher=Dow Jones Newswires |title=Swift Transport Trading Flat After Pricing Below Range |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=December 16, 2010 }}</ref> The company offered 73,300,000 shares at $11.00 per share, raising almost $766 million, with the proceeds used for debt reduction. The offering represented 54.9% of the company, valuing the company at $1.86 billion. Due to the economic downturn, the IPO was below Moyes leveraged-buyout (LBO) price of $17.61. With the offering the name changed from Swift Holdings Corp. to Swift Transportation Company.<ref name=P424B4-2010-12-17/><ref>{{cite news|author1=Spears, Lee |author2=Michael Tsang |name-list-style=amp |title=Jerry Moyes Selling at Discount to LBO in Swift IPO |journal=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |date=December 14, 2010}}</ref>

In April 2017, Swift Transportation merged with Knight Transportation in a $6 billion deal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swift, Knight $6 billion merger gives Kevin Knight the keys to a kingdom {{!}} 2017-04-10 {{!}} DC Velocity |url=https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/28751-swift-knight-6-billion-merger-gives-kevin-knight-the-keys-to-a-kingdom |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=www.dcvelocity.com |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2024, Knight-Swift acquired Dependable Highway Express, Inc., a LTL carrier out of Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Topics |first=Transport |date=2024-07-30 |title=Knight-Swift Acquires Dependable Highway Express |url=https://www.ttnews.com/articles/knight-swift-acquires-dhe |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Transport Topics |language=en}}</ref>


===Company trucks===
===Company trucks===
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Truck_072.jpg | 2006 [[Volvo VN]]L670 with a 2002 [[Wabash National]] 53' DuraPlate® Dry Van Trailer
Image:Truck_072.jpg | 2006 [[Volvo VN]]L670 with a 2002 [[Wabash National]] 53' DuraPlate Dry Van Trailer
Image:Truck_181.jpg|[[Freightliner Trucks|2005 Freightliner]] Columbia with a 1996 [[Wabash National]] 53' Sheet & Post Dry Van Trailer
Image:Truck_181.jpg|[[Freightliner Trucks|2005 Freightliner]] Columbia with a 1996 [[Wabash National]] 53' Sheet & Post Dry Van Trailer
Image:Swift_flatbed_colorado.JPG|[[Freightliner Trucks|Freightliner]] Columbia with Flatbed Spread Axle trailer
Image:Swift_flatbed_colorado.JPG|[[Freightliner Trucks|Freightliner]] Columbia with Flatbed Spread Axle trailer
Image:Swift_stepdeck_at_inland_steel.JPG|[[Freightliner Group Limited|Freightliner]] Columbia with single drop flatbed (also known as a stepdeck) trailer
Image:Swift_stepdeck_at_inland_steel.JPG|[[Freightliner Trucks|Freightliner]] Columbia with single drop flatbed (also known as a stepdeck) trailer
</gallery>
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Largest domestic 53 foot container companies (fleet size)]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.swifttrans.com/ Swift Transportation]
* [https://www.mystudentportals.com/swift-driver-portal/ Swift Portal]


{{Trucking industry in the United States}}
{{Trucking industry in the United States}}

[[Category:Container shipping companies]]
[[Category:Trucking companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Trucking companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in Phoenix, Arizona]]
[[Category:Companies based in Phoenix, Arizona]]

Latest revision as of 18:21, 31 July 2024

Swift Transportation
Company typeSubsidiary
NYSE: KNX
IndustryMotor transportation
OTR trucking
FoundedOctober 10, 1966
HeadquartersPhoenix, Arizona, United States
Key people
Adam W. Miller (President)(CEO)| Andrew Hess (CFO)
ProductsTruckload carrier
Number of employees
21,900[1] (2019)
ParentKnight-Swift
Websitewww.swifttrans.com
Previous logo

Swift Transportation is a Phoenix, Arizona-based American truckload motor shipping carrier, part of Knight-Swift. With over 23,000 trucks, it is the largest common carrier in the United States.[2] In 2017, Swift merged with Knight Transportation, also of Phoenix.[3]

History

[edit]

Carl Moyes was a truck driver hauling produce for C.R. England in the 1940s out of northern Utah.[4] In the late 1950s Betty and Carl Moyes started a small trucking company in Plain City, Utah, B & C Truck Leasing. After their son, Jerry, graduated from Weber State University in 1966, they moved the small company to Phoenix, Arizona. Carl and his two sons, Ronald and Jerry (vice-president), formed the company Common Market in Arizona, that would become Swift.

Operations began in 1966[5] transporting imported steel from the ports of Los Angeles, California to Phoenix, Arizona, and returning with cotton from Arizona to be delivered to Southern California.[6]

The name Swift Transportation was purchased from a descendant of the Swift Meat Packing family, when the Moyes family bought the trucking assets of Swift & Company. The three Moyes family members and a fourth partner, Randy Knight, grew the business to $25 million in annual revenues by 1984. Jerry Moyes became president, chairman, and CEO that same year, and when Carl died in 1985, Jerry bought out the other two partners, his brother Ronald and Randy Knight. Ronald would continue to hold shares in Swift while Randy would become a co-founder of Knight Transportation.[7]

In April 1988 Swift purchased Greenville, South Carolina-based Cooper Motor Lines from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based ARA Services.[8]

By 1990, Swift Transportation had grown to a $125 million carrier with over 800 trucks.[6] The company held an initial public offering (IPO) in 1990 and became a publicly traded entity on the NASDAQ market system under the symbol SWFT.[9][5]

In 1991, with money raised in the IPO, Swift bought Stephens City, Virginia-based Arthur H. Fulton Inc. for $9 million out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[10]

In a similar move, in 2001 Moyes purchased the assets of Dick Simon Trucking, which had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Those assets were rolled into Moyes's small Central Freight Lines out of Texas, and later spun off as the separate entity Central Refrigerated Service, which remained wholly owned by Moyes until its subsequent sale to and merger with Swift.[citation needed] That sale was announced in summer 2013,[11] and the merger completed on February 1, 2014. Moyes received $180 million in cash for the sale.[11]

The company's growth continued since 1988 with the purchase of eleven motor carriers throughout the United States, including M.S. Carriers, of Memphis, Tennessee in 2001.[5] The shareholders of M.S. Carriers obtained a 22% stake in the combined company.[12]

Moyes was soon to retire when he was forced out as chief executive officer (CEO) at Swift in October 2005 after a United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into insider trading. Without admitting or denying wrongdoing he paid a $1.26 million settlement. The Moyes family still controlled about 39% of the public stock.[13][14]

In November 2006 Moyes offered to buy Swift for $29 a share. The offer was raised to $2.4 billion ($31.55 per share) for shares not controlled by the family and assumption of $332 million in outstanding debt. The transaction closed on May 10, 2007.[15][16] To finance the acquisition, Moyes formed Saint Acquisition Corporation, and issued $2.1 billion of a senior secured credit facility and $835 million in second-lien senior secured notes.[13] The company's drivers and eighty-three percent of outstanding shares (approximately half of those controlled by the family) supported the buyout.[14]

Swift’s terminal network grew to over forty full service facilities in the continental United States and Mexico before contracting during the 2008 recession. The total number of employees dropped from 21,900,[17] to approximately 17,700.[18] Swift owns 100% of Trans-Mex, a Nuevo Laredo, Mexico-based carrier. Swift offers border crossing services at all major Mexican border crossings. Swift maintains a presence in every Canadian Province.[6]

The company operated 16,200 units (12,300 tractors by company drivers and 3,900 owner-operator tractors), a fleet of 48,600 trailers, and 4,500 intermodal containers from 35 terminals in the United States and Mexico, generating just over $2.5 billion in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009.[18]

Swift Transportation became public again on December 16, 2010, trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).[19] The company offered 73,300,000 shares at $11.00 per share, raising almost $766 million, with the proceeds used for debt reduction. The offering represented 54.9% of the company, valuing the company at $1.86 billion. Due to the economic downturn, the IPO was below Moyes leveraged-buyout (LBO) price of $17.61. With the offering the name changed from Swift Holdings Corp. to Swift Transportation Company.[18][20]

In April 2017, Swift Transportation merged with Knight Transportation in a $6 billion deal.[21]

In July 2024, Knight-Swift acquired Dependable Highway Express, Inc., a LTL carrier out of Los Angeles.[22]

Company trucks

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Knight-Swift". Knight-Swift –. 2019-02-22. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  2. ^ "It's Official And Knight-Swift Is The Largest Trucking Company In The US". Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Truckers Swift and Knight Combine in a Deal Valued Over $5B". 10 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  4. ^ Demoss, Jeff. - "Four major trucking firms have roots in Plain City". - Ogden Standard-Examiner. - January 30, 2005. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30
  5. ^ a b c "Swift Transportation's history of successful growth". Yahoo Finance. 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  6. ^ a b c About Swift: Company History Archived 2008-12-17 at the Wayback Machine. - Swift Transportation
  7. ^ Harris, Craig. - "Knight's Profits On a Roll - Valley-Based Trucking Firm Again Makes 'Forbes' List". - Arizona Republic. - October 30, 2004. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30
  8. ^ Entrepreneurship Founders: Jerry C. Moyes. - Marriott School of Management. - Brigham Young University. In 1997 Swift bought a bankrupt Direct Transit Inc. based in South Dakota - Retrieved: 2008-07-30
  9. ^ Sirtori-Cortina, Daniela. "New Billionaire: Swift Transportation Founder Jerry Moyes' Rocky Road To Three-Comma Fortune". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  10. ^ "Trucking Company is Made an Offer". - Associated Press. - (c/o Richmond Times-Dispatch). - July 26, 1991. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30
  11. ^ a b "Swift acquires Central Refrigerated Transportation". FleetOwner. 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  12. ^ "Swift and M.S. Carriers Announce Merger". - Business Wire. - (c/o Find Articles). - December 11, 2000
  13. ^ a b "Swift Transportation shareholders approve buyout". - Deseret News. - April 30, 2007. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30
  14. ^ a b "Swift's Shareholders Vote Moyes - Longtime Transportation Firm Will Be Sold Back to Founder". - Arizona Republic. - April 28, 2007. - Retrieved: 2008-07-30
  15. ^ "Sale officially concludes for Swift Transportation". - Arizona Republic. - May 11, 2007
  16. ^ "Swift Transportation agrees to be acquired by Jerry Moyes". Reuters. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  17. ^ Swift Transportation Co., Inc.. - Hoover's
  18. ^ a b c 424B4 Prospectus. - Swift Transportation Company. - December 17, 2010.
  19. ^ Cowan, Lynn (December 16, 2010). "Swift Transport Trading Flat After Pricing Below Range". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones Newswires.
  20. ^ Spears, Lee & Michael Tsang (December 14, 2010). "Jerry Moyes Selling at Discount to LBO in Swift IPO". Bloomberg L.P.
  21. ^ "Swift, Knight $6 billion merger gives Kevin Knight the keys to a kingdom | 2017-04-10 | DC Velocity". www.dcvelocity.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  22. ^ Topics, Transport (2024-07-30). "Knight-Swift Acquires Dependable Highway Express". Transport Topics. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
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