EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota (September 17, 2026)— C.H. Robinson, the global leader in Lean AI supply chains, today announced the recipients of its 2026 Carrier of the Year Awards, recognizing 17 carriers across North America for exceptional performance, safety, and service. Presented during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (September 13-19), the awards honor outstanding carriers, ranging from single-truck owner-operators to large national fleets operating hundreds of trucks, and all branches of the industry, including heavy haul, temperature-controlled freight, and cross-border service.
“These companies represent the best of our high-quality carrier network,” said Michael Castagnetto, President of North American Surface Transportation at C.H. Robinson. “They've earned the trust of both our customers and our teams through consistent performance, operational excellence and a commitment to doing the right thing. No matter the market conditions, they continue to adapt, deliver and help keep supply chains moving. We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside these carriers every day because they play a critical role in helping us create stronger supply chains and better outcomes for our customers.”
This year's Carrier of the Year Awards recognize carriers that demonstrate excellence across multiple dimensions of performance. Nominees were evaluated using a broad range of operational criteria, with safety and transparency serving as foundational requirements. The selection process reflects C.H. Robinson's broader approach to carrier selection, which incorporates multiple layers of carrier safety and business risk criteria, supported by the industry's largest pool of real-world shipment data.
“In any market, strong carriers make all the difference,” said Adam McDonough, Vice President of Capacity at C.H. Robinson. “These award winners stand out through consistent performance, reliability and a commitment to excellence. Their ability to adapt, deliver and keep freight moving helps create the dependable capacity and stronger supply chains our customers need, and we're proud to recognize their accomplishments.”
The Carrier of the Year Award winners will be recognized this evening, during an awards ceremony in Minneapolis. The celebration caps off a week dedicated to company-wide appreciation of the carriers and truck drivers who keep supply chains moving, including handing out care packages for drivers at C.H. Robinson locations across the country and a standing ovation for the winners at the company’s headquarters in Minnesota.
2026 Carrier of the Year Award winners
| Category | Winner | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Owner-Operator | MACK TRANSPORT | McAllen, TX |
| Small-1 | AGF Transportation LLC | Ringwood, NJ |
| Small-2 | Light Express LLC | Massillon, OH |
| Mid-Size-1 | Sunrise Trucking Inc. | French Camp, CA |
| Mid-Size-2 | Nevoya | Perris, CA |
| Mid-Size-3 | State Express | Lemont, IL |
| Large-1 | Halvor Lines, Inc. | Superior, WI |
| Large-2 | May Trucking Company | Salem, OR |
| Temperature Controlled | Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc. | Pelion, SC |
| Specialized Heavy Haul | Hicks Trucking Company | Litchfield, MN |
| Flatbed | KST Logistics, Inc. | Manteca, CA |
| Cross Border | Multimodal Esquer, Inc. | San Diego, CA |
| Mexico | Transportes Saldaña | Nogales, SO |
| Canada | C.H. Logistics | Brampton, ON |
| Private Fleet | Tempur Sealy International | Lexington, KY |
| LTL-National | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | Thomasville, NC |
| LTL-Regional | Dayton Freight Lines | Dayton, OH |
About C.H. Robinson
C.H. Robinson is the global leader in Lean AI supply chains. For more than a century, companies everywhere have looked to us to reimagine how goods move. Now, as we redefine what’s next for the industry, that same drive fuels our commitment to Building Tomorrow’s Supply Chains, Today™. Trusted by 75,000 customers and 450,000 contract carriers, we manage an unmatched 37 million shipments annually, representing $23 billion in freight. We deliver tailored solutions across the world via truckload, less-than-truckload, ocean, air, and more. With our unique combination of human insight and Lean AI working as one, supply chains move faster, smarter, and more sustainably. As a responsible global citizen, we proudly contribute millions to the causes that matter most to our employees. For more information visit www.chrobinson.com. (Nasdaq: CHRW)
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