The North American supply chain solution provider’s intermodal service has surpassed 35 years of operation.
The first JB Hunt intermodal load reportedly departed Chicago on a February morning in 1990.
“Intermodal started as an idea to bring two services together and create a customer-focused, efficient solution,” said JB Hunt President and CEO, Shelley Simpson.
“This dream was brought to life by teams working closely together, never losing faith in the belief of a better way to move freight, one rooted in integrity, respect, safety and excellence. It changed freight transportation forever and set the company on a path of continued innovation, sparking 35 years of growth and expansion.”
Starting with just 150 trailers, JB Hunt Intermodal (JBI) is one of the largest intermodal services in North America, with a company-owned fleet that includes more than 122,000 containers and 6,500 tractor units.
By 2000, intermodal service had expanded to become its own business unit within JB Hunt, providing the opportunity to strategically focus on service quality and operational excellence.
JBI would become the company’s largest revenue source in 2003, which it remains today. In 2010, JBI moved more than one million loads in a calendar year for the first time in company history, only to surpass that milestone in 2018 when the company moved two million loads in a year. Most recently, JBI set historic company records for quarterly, monthly and weekly intermodal volumes in 2024.
“The long-term impact of intermodal demonstrates just how groundbreaking the service has been,” JB Hunt President of Intermodal, Darren Field.
“Intermodal has been a driving force for reducing the amount of long-haul over-the-road freight. This means unmatched efficiency and sustainability benefits for customers.
“For our drivers, it gives them more quality time at home with their families.
“Thank you to our people, customers and rail providers all over North America for 35 years of helping us set the standard of great intermodal service. Along with investments in our people, technology and capacity, your momentum continues to fuel intermodal’s potential. As Mr. Hunt would say, we’re just getting started.”
In other news, UPS has shared a positive earnings call.
