- Six trucking companies have folded in 2019.
- That's left more than 2,500 truck drivers unemployed.
- After a hugely profitable year in 2018, this year has seen retailers and manufacturers moving less, according to the Cass Freight Index.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
At least 2,500 truck drivers have lost their jobs in 2019 as the transportation 'bloodbath' unfolds — here's the full list of bankrupt trucking companies
Workday Minnesota/YouTube
Starlite Trucking — 28 truck drivers
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Truck drivers are suffering in 2019 especially those who own or work at small businesses.
Rates in the spot market, where retailers and manufacturers buy trucking capacity as they need it, rather than through a contract, sank by around 18% year-over-year . That's caused truckers likeDemetrius Wilburn, a Georgia-based driver, to find themselves unemployed.
Wilburn bought his semi-truck four years ago after years of working as a company truck driver. But, due to rock-bottom rates, Wilburn wasn't able to make a payment one month and they repossessed his truck.
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"I was only 6 months away from paying it off," Wilburn told Business Insider. "I'm trying to transition back into law enforcement now don't want to ever drive trucks again. Definitely not worth it."
Lexington, Kentucky-based owner-operator Chad Boblett told Business Insider that some truck drivers are seeing a "bloodbath" in just how low rates are.
Here are the trucking companies that have gone bankrupt in 2019, and how many truckers who are now out of a job. We used the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's company snapshot tool to measure how many truck drivers worked at each company.
Are you a truck driver who has been suffering in 2019 from low rates? Contact the reporter at rpremack@businessinsider.com .
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SEE ALSO: A 49-year old trucking company is suing Amazon in the latest spar between the logistics industry and the upstart giant
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