Expedited specialists C&M Transport and Barrett Directline are joining forces, with Rogers, Arkansas-based Barrett set to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Ohio-headquartered C&M. The companies said Barrett will shift under the C&M banner on Nov. 1, with financial terms undisclosed.
Why it matters: This is a capacity aggregation play in a niche that thrives on clock speed. C&M brings a 17-location footprint near major population and manufacturing centers plus air-charter and 3PL capabilities; Barrett contributes a same- and next-day ground network with warehousing options such as cross-docking and repack. Together, the combined carrier can bundle urgent linehaul with white-glove handoffs and short-term storage—helpful when shippers need one throat to choke for time-critical moves.
Scale is modest but purposeful. Federal data cited in the announcement shows C&M with 17 power units and Barrett with 14—small fleets by truckload standards, but right-sized for expedited work where cycle time, driver teams and dispatch precision matter more than tractor counts. Expect the integration to focus first on harmonizing 24/7 dispatch, track-and-trace, and service guarantees while keeping driver teams intact on key lanes.
Timing could help. Spot rates ticked higher across modes into the end of Q3—dry van up two cents to $1.67/mi, reefer up a penny to $2.01 and flatbed up a penny to $2.06 in the seven days through Sept. 28—suggesting a mildly firmer pricing floor heading into peak projects and holiday surges. That backdrop supports expedited margins, which are most sensitive to capacity tightness and premium service fees.
The four-week changeover window also lands in a week when federal regulators are largely “open for business” despite the government shutdown. DOT’s plan released Sept. 30 keeps FMCSA fully operational because it’s funded via the Highway Trust Fund—meaning authorities, safety oversight and routine registration work are expected to continue, limiting administrative friction as the carriers align systems and paperwork.
What shippers should watch next: (1) single-portal access to quotes, track-and-trace and PODs under the C&M brand; (2) any expansion of air–ground “combo” options for plants facing downtime or inventory gaps; and (3) whether the combined network leans into cross-border Canada lanes where same/next-day coverage and customs timing often justify expedited premiums. The companies said the transition will be staged over the next month with the goal of a seamless handoff for customers and drivers.
Bottom line: In a soft-but-firming market, stitching together two time-critical carriers gives C&M added geographic reach and service breadth while preserving Barrett’s speed-first DNA—an incremental consolidation that could punch above its weight for manufacturers and distributors who can’t afford a late truck.
Sources: FreightWaves, Transport Topics, Trucking Dive, IndexBox
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