BulkLoads is expanding its presence in agricultural transportation through the acquisition of Livestock Network, executives announced Monday.
Acquisition Details
Springfield, Missouri-based BulkLoads announced Monday that it has acquired Livestock Network, an online load board and community serving the livestock transportation industry since 2000. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition builds on an existing partnership between the two companies and brings Livestock Network’s load board, truck board, company rating system, discussion forums, classifieds, trucking tools and business directories under the BulkLoads umbrella.
“Livestock hauling is one of the most specialized, relationship-driven parts of the trucking industry, and Livestock Network has been at the center of it for more than 25 years,” Larry Hurt, CEO of BulkLoads, said in a news release. “We didn’t acquire it to change what works. We acquired it to give livestock haulers more.”
Combined Services
BulkLoads said Livestock Network members will gain access to its broader ecosystem of products, including Smart Freight Funding for freight factoring, Bulk Insurance Group, BulkTMS transportation management software and Bulk Freight Insights market intelligence. The company also plans to invest in technology upgrades for Livestock Network, including a redesigned website, improved navigation, new digital tools and a future mobile application that would allow drivers to manage loads from their trucks.
| Feature | Livestock Network (Pre-Acquisition) | Post-Acquisition (with BulkLoads) |
|---|---|---|
| Load board | Yes | Yes + expanded access |
| Truck board | Yes | Yes |
| Company rating system | Yes | Yes |
| Discussion forums | Yes | Yes |
| Classifieds | Yes | Yes |
| Freight factoring | No | Smart Freight Funding |
| Insurance | No | Bulk Insurance Group |
| Transportation management software (TMS) | No | BulkTMS |
| Market intelligence | No | Bulk Freight Insights |
| Mobile app | No | Planned |
Matt Fredin, Livestock Network co-founder and now a partner at BulkLoads, said the combination strengthens the platform without changing the core experience for existing users. “Our members keep everything they’ve come to rely on, and now they get the strength of the entire BulkLoads network and technology behind them,” Fredin said.
Implications for Livestock Haulers
Livestock haulers now gain access to a broader suite of business services without disruption to the tools they already use. The integration of Smart Freight Funding for factoring, Bulk Insurance Group for insurance, and BulkTMS for transportation management gives carriers and shippers a more comprehensive platform for managing their operations. BulkLoads said it operates North America’s largest bulk freight marketplace, connecting more than 10,000 carriers, shippers and brokers handling commodities such as grain, hopper, tanker, pneumatic, walking floor and end-dump freight.
Founded in 2010, BulkLoads has expanded into freight factoring, insurance, transportation management software and freight market analytics. Its acquisition of Livestock Network, founded in 2000, brings together two of the trucking industry’s longest-established freight communities, according to executives.
Watch List
The planned technology upgrades for Livestock Network—including a redesigned website, improved navigation, new digital tools, and a future mobile application—will be key factors for livestock carriers monitoring operational efficiencies. The mobile app, in particular, could allow drivers to manage loads directly from their trucks, further integrating deskless workers into the platform. Additionally, how BulkLoads leverages its broader ecosystem to attract more livestock haulers will shape the competitive landscape in agricultural freight brokerage.
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