Crete Carrier Corporation
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Founded 1966
Crete Carrier Corporation is one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the United States, operating three specialized divisions for dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed freight across the lower 48 states with a fleet of over 5,000 tractors and 13,000 trailers.
Perfect for
Crete Carrier Corporation is best suited for:
- Large shippers and manufacturers needing reliable truckload capacity across the continental United States, including companies in food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, retail, and agriculture
- Businesses requiring dedicated fleet solutions with custom-designed, full-time carrier services
- Companies shipping temperature-sensitive goods (refrigerated, frozen, or multi-temp) that need a large-scale reefer carrier
- Shippers of oversized, overweight, or specialized flatbed freight such as construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and raw materials
- Organizations that value long-term carrier partnerships with a financially stable, debt-free, asset-based provider that does not broker freight
Key strengths
Debt-free, 100% asset-based carrier providing exceptional financial stability and reliability for long-term shipping partnerships
Three specialized divisions (dry van, refrigerated, flatbed) enable handling of virtually any freight type across the lower 48 states
Industry-leading safety scores with newer equipment (most trucks 2 years old or less) and one of the lowest driver turnover rates in the industry
Extensive terminal network of 20 locations nationwide supporting driver amenities, maintenance, and reduced downtime
FourKites Premiere Carrier with advanced track, trace, and visibility technology plus load and network optimization
Considerations
Does not offer brokerage services or haul brokered freight, limiting flexibility for customers who need multi-modal or brokerage solutions
Service coverage limited to the lower 48 states with no cross-border capabilities into Canada or Mexico mentioned
Primarily a truckload carrier without apparent LTL (less-than-truckload) offerings, which may not suit smaller shippers
No publicly listed pricing or self-service quoting tools; customers must contact sales directly for rate quotes
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About Crete Carrier Corporation
Crete Carrier Corporation is a family-owned, debt-free trucking and transportation company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded in 1966 in Crete, Nebraska with just six leased trailers and a single customer (ALPO dog food), the company has grown into one of the nation's largest privately held carriers. It operates three specialized divisions: Crete Carrier for dry van freight, Shaffer Trucking for temperature-controlled and refrigerated loads (founded in 1937, acquired in 1974), and Hunt Transportation for flatbed and specialized hauling (founded in 1927, acquired in 1999). Together, these divisions operate more than 5,000 tractors and over 13,000 trailers serving customers throughout the continental United States.
The company distinguishes itself through its 100% asset-based, debt-free financial model and a strong commitment to long-term customer partnerships. Crete Carrier does not broker freight or haul brokered freight, focusing exclusively on serving its own customers directly. The company maintains 20 terminal locations across the country and boasts industry-leading safety scores, with most trucks being two years old or less. Its customer roster includes household names like Walmart, General Mills, Kellogg's, Kimberly Clark, Home Depot, Hershey, and Costco, and the company has earned numerous Carrier of the Year awards from these partners.
Crete Carrier Corporation also invests heavily in technology, including load and network optimization, track and trace visibility systems, and automation. The company is a FourKites Premiere Carrier, providing real-time shipment visibility to its customers. Its Shaffer Trucking division specializes in tri-temp units that can handle cool, cold, and frozen settings simultaneously, while Hunt Transportation handles oversized and overweight freight, construction and agricultural equipment, raw materials, and heavy machinery. The company maintains one of the lowest driver turnover rates in the industry, at roughly one-third the industry average.
Integrations
- FourKites
Crete Carrier Corporation
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