The pool of available truck drivers showed signs of tightening during the fourth quarter amid a freight market that continues to face headwinds, according to experts.

Paladin is the latest in a growing list of larger carriers to either shutter operations or declare bankruptcy amid the ongoing freight rate recession, including R&R Family of Cos.

Investors led by buyout firm Advent International and FedEx are seeking to buy Polish parcel-locker company InPost in a deal that values the business at $9.3 billion.

“We see signs of encouragement for the industry and Werner as we move into 2026,” Werner CEO Derek Leathers said during a call with investors.

In January, Pittsburgh-based R&R Family of Cos. shut down, according to a source. According to the source and court documents, R&R lost the backing of its largest lender.

The report on Feb. 5 also showed hiring intentions slid 13% from a year earlier to 5,306 — marking the weakest total for any January in the firm’s records back to 2009.

Old Dominion Freight Line doubled down on improving operations and services after reporting a drop in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025.

Demand for trucks did not improve as 2025 progressed and what carrier executives have characterized as the longest North American freight market downturn in a half-century continued.

As a result of the impairment charge and lower revenue from the ongoing freight rate recession, Heartland’s operating ratio spiked to 112.7. OR without the impairment charge was 101.6.

The Fort Smith, Ark.-based logistics company posted a net loss from continuing operations of $8.12 million, or a loss of 36 cents a diluted share, for the three months ending Dec. 31.