# ProTrans International

> Automotive & JIT Freight Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Founded 1990

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/protrans-international/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/protrans-international/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-04-27

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## Key facts

- Founded 1990 · headquartered in Indianapolis, IN
- Privately held
- Gross revenue: $0.15B (est.) per Transport Topics 2024
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van

## About

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.

## Load types

| Mode | Status |
|---|---|
| Dry Van TL | ● Primary |
| Refrigerated | Not offered |
| LTL | ✓ Active |
| Intermodal | Not offered |
| Flatbed | ✓ Active |
| Air / Expedited | Limited |
| Bulk / Tank | Not offered |
| Parcel | Not offered |

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2024

## FMCSA & Licensing

FMCSA MC# and DOT# not confirmed for ProTrans International, Inc. Verify current broker authority status at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov by searching the legal entity name before tendering a load.

## Coverage

All 48 contiguous states · Cross-border Mexico · Cross-border Canada

**Strongest lanes:**

- Midwest
- Great Lakes
- US-Canada
- US-Mexico
- Southeast

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- 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

**Common complaints:**

- 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

## FAQ

### Is ProTrans International licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

ProTrans International, Inc. operates as a licensed freight broker. FMCSA MC# and DOT# are not confirmed in this profile — verify current broker authority status at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov by searching 'ProTrans International' before tendering a load. All licensed freight brokers are required to carry a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond or trust fund.

### What types of freight does ProTrans International move?

ProTrans International primarily brokers dry van FTL freight with a focus on automotive and manufacturing supply chains. Flatbed and LTL are active secondary modes. Expedited is available on a limited basis for plant emergency freight. Cross-border Canada and Mexico capability supports North American automotive supply chain needs. ProTrans does not actively broker refrigerated, intermodal, air freight, or parcel.

### How do ProTrans International's rates compare to other freight brokers?

ProTrans International's pricing leverage is strongest on Midwest and Great Lakes automotive lanes where its carrier relationships are deepest. For standard transactional freight, larger generalist brokers may offer comparable or lower rates. ProTrans's differentiated value is in JIT service reliability and automotive-specific operational discipline — factors that are not captured in rate comparisons alone. Use ShipperGuide to benchmark ProTrans rates against alternatives on specific lanes.

## Best for

Automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, OEM in-bound logistics teams, and Midwest industrial manufacturers who need JIT-capable dry van freight with cross-border North American coverage.

## Compare alternatives

- [PLS Logistics Services](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/pls-logistics-services/) — Dry Van, LTL, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Cana…
- [Echo Global Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/echo-global-logistics/) — 50,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (EchoX…
- [Redwood Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/redwood-logistics/) — 50,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states
- [MODE Global](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/mode-global/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Cana…
- [Command Transportation](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/command-transportation/) — Dry Van, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states

## Sources

- Revenue and ranking: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages (annual list)
- FMCSA licensing: li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov — broker authority status verified at publication where possible
- Reviews: G2, Trustpilot, Google Business — shipper reviews only
- Listing assembled from public records. Brokers can claim/update via directory@shipperguide.com