Standard Forwarding Freight has ceased operations effective Dec. 29, the company announced Monday, “following a comprehensive strategic review of the business.”
The decision, which the East Moline, Illinois-based company says is temporary, was made “after careful consideration of the company's current circumstances and the need to conduct an orderly evaluation of the business. During this period, Standard Forwarding Freight, LLC will undertake an operational assessment to determine appropriate next steps.”
The company did not provide a timeline or specific details regarding those next steps. A phone call to the carrier was met a message saying the company is “no longer scheduling pickups."
A memo from Teamsters Local 710 obtained by CCJ noted that the Teamsters Freight Division was notified Sunday, Dec. 28, “that the company intends to entirely shut down its operations. This news was completely unexpected, as Standard Forwarding had never previously communicated any challenges or difficulties to our union, nor attempted to work with us to avoid this outcome.”
Teamsters' Freight Division stated it has requested bargaining with Standard Forwarding to obtain additional information and secure whatever benefits are possible. It is also “exploring all legal options, including possible litigation, to enforce any federal, state, and local protections available to our members.”
DHL (CCJ Top 250, No. 35) sold the nearly century-old Midwest LTL carrier earlier this year to Sakaem Holdings for an undisclosed sum.
