A select group of carriers last week got an email from Walmart Carrier relations offering an opportunity: Hauling loads for the mega-retailer.
The email said Walmart was "reaching out with an exciting opportunity from Walmart Transportation" that involved
"connecting with a select group of carriers" to "embark on an initiative that will transform the way we deliver to our customers."
"By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to secure steady freight and play a crucial role in ensuring our freight reaches all our customers," the email continued before listing its requirements.
- Own 11-999 units
- Five plus years consecutive operating authority
- $1,000,000 in liability insurance
- $100,000 in cargo insurance
- Have 53’ dry vans, reefers, flatbeds
- Meet our safety requirements
- Drivers with smart devices for tracking
A Walmart representative confirmed that the company was looking to onboard carriers. Other, similar emails have been going out to a variety of carriers since at least the end of January.
"We’re always exploring new ways to better serve our customers and lower costs to enable everyday low prices," wrote Jeffrey Essary of Walmart's communications department. "To support our transportation needs, we are looking to onboard additional carriers. If carriers are interested, they can go to wls.walmart.com for more information."
That website has an onboarding portal for carriers which promises "access to thousands of loads" and an "automated booking experience," as well as "secure loads and freight contracts" and "seamless booking and traction."
[Related: How to beat brokers at their own game and win direct freight]
Walmart has of course worked with outside carriers in the past, but Essary referred to the new portal as formalizing the arrangement with some new technology behind it. "Walmart has operated a load board to cover spot freight since 2018," the Walmart spokesperson said. "We continue to improve and iterate the efficiency of that load board, and this is just improved technology that allows for a wider carrier base to participate with us."
Walmart's private fleet stands out among the trucking world for offering high driver pay. During the 2022 freight boom, the retail giant advertised starting rates for drivers as high as $110,000 a year.
With the trailer stipulation, Walmart with this announcement has steered away from the "power only" trend among other major broker and shipper platforms like Uber Freight, Amazon Relay, J.B. Hunt 360 and others.
One small fleet owner who got the email from Walmart said he was anxious to join. "When we get to the five year mark" in the coming months, "I will for sure" try to haul for Walmart, he said.
[Related: How truckers can leverage existing relationships toward direct freight]
