Key facts
- Founded 1990 · headquartered in Indianapolis, IN
- Privately held
- FMCSA broker authority: ACTIVE (MC-264190)
- Gross revenue: $0.15B (est.) per Transport Topics 2024
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van
About ProTrans International
ProTrans International is a privately held freight broker headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, founded in 1990. With estimated gross brokerage revenue of approximately $150 million, ProTrans has built a specialist position in automotive and manufacturing supply chain freight — particularly just-in-time (JIT) freight, where on-time delivery is not a service preference but an operational requirement tied directly to plant production schedules. The company's Indianapolis base positions it at the center of North America's automotive manufacturing corridor, spanning Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky.
ProTrans's primary mode is dry van FTL, with flatbed and LTL as active secondary modes calibrated for automotive parts and components. What distinguishes ProTrans from a generalist broker of equivalent size is its operational focus on JIT delivery requirements — the carrier vetting, tracking cadence, and exception management that automotive and Tier 1 supplier logistics teams need when a delayed load means a stopped production line. Cross-border Canada and Mexico capability supports automotive supply chains that span North American OEM networks.
For shippers evaluating ProTrans, the strongest use case is for automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, OEM in-bound logistics, and industrial manufacturers who need a freight broker with genuine JIT operational discipline rather than a standard brokerage relationship. Shippers outside automotive and manufacturing, or those who primarily need reefer, intermodal, or LTL-only capability, will find better alternatives among larger full-service brokers.
Listing assembled from public records (FMCSA Li-Public, Transport Topics, company website). Are you ProTrans International? Claim this profile →
Load Types Transport Topics Top 100
FMCSA & Licensing FMCSA Li-Public
Coverage
All 48 contiguous states · Cross-border Mexico · Cross-border Canada
Strongest Lanes
Pros & Cons
- Specialist expertise in automotive JIT freight — carrier vetting, visibility protocols, and exception management built for production-linked delivery requirements
- Cross-border capability covering both Mexico and Canada — supports automotive supply chains spanning all three NAFTA countries
- Over 30 years of operational history in Midwest manufacturing freight with established carrier relationships in key automotive corridors
- Managed transportation offering for automotive suppliers who want outsourced freight management integrated with plant scheduling
- Strong Great Lakes and Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky corridor depth where automotive freight volumes are concentrated
- Narrow vertical focus — less competitive outside automotive and manufacturing freight compared to generalist brokers
- Limited capability in refrigerated and intermodal — not a full-mode alternative
- Smaller scale (~$150M) means reduced carrier network leverage on thin or non-automotive lanes
- Less technology investment in self-serve quoting than tech-forward brokers — operational model is relationship-driven
- Expedited capability is limited — automotive emergencies may require supplemental broker relationships for air charter or hot-shot
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FAQ
Is ProTrans International licensed and bonded as a freight broker?
ProTrans International, LLC holds active FMCSA broker authority (MC-264190 / DOT 525913) with a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond on file with Nationwide Mutual, effective 02/15/2024. Combined carrier/broker authority active since June 1993.
What types of freight does ProTrans International move?
Primarily brokers dry van FTL for automotive and manufacturing supply chains; flatbed and LTL active, expedited limited for plant emergencies. Cross-border Canada and Mexico capability supports North American automotive freight. No reefer, intermodal, air, or parcel.
How do ProTrans International's rates compare to other freight brokers?
Pricing leverage is strongest on Midwest and Great Lakes automotive lanes where carrier relationships are deepest. On standard transactional freight, larger generalists may match or undercut. The differentiated value is JIT reliability and automotive operational discipline.