Heartland Express (CCJ Top 250, No. 28) said it plans fully integrate and rebrand the U.S. operations of Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI) into Heartland Express, effective Dec. 31, 2025.
While the CFI brand will be retired within the United States, the company’s Mexican subsidiary, CFI Logistica, S.A. de C.V., will remain independent and unaffected by the change.
Heartland Express acquired CFI's non-dedicated U.S. dry van and temperature-controlled truckload business and CFI Logistica operations in Mexico in August 2022 for $525 million.
Heartland Express CEO Mike Gerdin described the move as the "next logical step" in enhancing the carrier's financial and operating performance, adding that CFI saw improved performance throughout 2025, aided by a first-quarter conversion to a new transportation management system and a second-quarter transition to a unified electronic logging device (ELD) and communication system.
Impact on drivers and staff
According to the company, a primary driver for the decision was the ability to align CFI driver pay with the legacy Heartland Express compensation structure.
"This decision was driven by a desire to align our CFI drivers’ pay package with our legacy Heartland Express pay package, providing them with an increased driver compensation and benefits package that we believe is among the best in the industry," Gerdin said.
Drivers will remain in their current trucks but will have the option to choose from pay packages available in the legacy Heartland fleet. Additionally, drivers will have the option to transfer to other subsidiaries within the company's family of brands, including Millis Transfer and Smith Transport.
Heartland plans to maintain current CFI office locations in Joplin, Missouri; West Memphis, Arkansas; and Laredo, Texas. The company stated that all current CFI employees will be offered the opportunity to continue their employment with Heartland Express.
Operations and financials
The integration aims to provide customers with increased capacity across a unified fleet. The company's other major subsidiaries, Millis Transfer and Smith Transport, will remain in their current status and are not part of this rebranding effort.
Heartland Express is currently assessing if the integration will impact the value of goodwill and intangible assets associated with CFI.
