CRST named 2024 Carrier of the Year by C.H. Robinson

This story first appeared in The Long Haul 2024, an annual special section that celebrates National Truck Driver Appreciation Week by looking at Eastern Iowa’s trucking industry.

CRST, one of the nation’s largest privately held transportation and logistics companies, was recently named the 2024 Carrier of the Year by C.H. Robinson, a leading global logistics provider.

C.H. Robinson’s annual awards program recognizes the top 24 contract carriers demonstrating operational excellence, including the adoption of technology to enhance service and growth in the volume of freight hauled with C.H. Robinson.

Nationwide, more than 3,000 drivers and driver-supported team members make up CRST’s Dedicated Solutions business unit, according to Jeff Bethers, vice president of customer experience at CRST.

“CRST’s Dedicated Solutions team is committed to delivering top-notch fleet performance to our customers that require consistent service and efficient costing,” he said. “We work collaboratively and use data-driven solutions to optimize current networks or create new ones. Count on us for bold and reliable performance day after day.”

These dedicated solutions range from simple drop-and-hook applications and multi-stop driver unloads to high-velocity shuttles with comprehensive warehousing solutions, which is what CRST does for C.H. Robinson.

CRST offers one of the broadest arrays of transportation and logistics services in the industry, including team-expedited, solo-refrigerated and dry van truckloads; oversize- and over-length flatbeds; transportation management; high-value product and white-glove services; and final mile home delivery. For Bethers, this is what sets CRST apart from other transportation and logistics companies.

“CRST has always been flexible to adapt to the needs of our customers,” he said. “From the first customer that we hauled steel for in 1955 to the hundreds of customers we have now, we remain laser-focused on delivering promise and driving success.”

CRST’s nationwide team of more than 4,000 experienced company drivers and independent contractors drive more than 370 million miles a year, powered by more than 16,000 transportation assets, 2,000 driver support team members, and state-of-the-art tools and systems. Their experienced drivers, Bethers said, are the “heartbeat of our supply chain.”

“At the heart of every customer award is a collaborative partnership and a fleet of safe and dependable drivers,” he said. “I had the opportunity to do a ride-along with a driver on one of our customer award-winning fleets. When we showed up to the delivery, a store associate came out and said, ‘Don’t lose this guy, he’s your best driver.’ Our experienced drivers make all of these awards possible; they are truly the heartbeat of our supply chain. Thank a driver the next time you see one!”