Key facts
- Founded 1994 · headquartered in Warren, MI
- Publicly traded — NASDAQ: ULH
- FMCSA broker authority: ACTIVE (MC-59583)
- #58 on the Transport Topics Top 100 (2026)
- Gross revenue: $326M (est.) per Transport Topics 2026
- Primary freight modes: Flatbed
About Universal Truckload Services
UACL Logistics LLC (DBA Universal) is a Warren, MI-based freight broker founded in 1994, operating as the brokerage entity within Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULH) — the publicly traded asset-light 3PL conglomerate. The historical Universal Truckload Services Inc. legal name has been retired in favor of UACL Logistics LLC, which holds active FMCSA broker + carrier authority (MC-59583 / DOT 41208). With approximately $120 million in estimated gross brokerage revenue, the company has built its reputation as a flatbed and specialized freight specialist with roots in the industrial Midwest — the natural home base for automotive, steel, and heavy manufacturing freight that requires open-deck or permitted equipment. The asset-light model means UACL coordinates with a network of owner-operators and carriers rather than running its own fleet, giving shippers flexibility without the overhead of an asset-based carrier.
UACL's primary mode strength is flatbed and heavy/specialized truckload, with dry van as a secondary capability. The Warren, Michigan headquarters places the company in the center of North American automotive manufacturing, making it a logical choice for Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers, steel processors, and industrial equipment manufacturers who regularly move oversized or awkward freight. National coverage extends across all 48 contiguous states, with strongest carrier density in the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Southeast corridors where manufacturing freight concentrates.
For shippers evaluating UACL Logistics (Universal), the strongest case is for flatbed, step-deck, and specialized open-deck freight — particularly from manufacturing, automotive, construction, or energy industries where standard van equipment simply doesn't work. The publicly traded parent (NASDAQ: ULH) provides financial transparency that some procurement teams value when qualifying freight broker partners. Shippers with primarily reefer, LTL, or intermodal needs will find better-fit alternatives elsewhere.
Listing assembled from public records (FMCSA Li-Public, Transport Topics, company website). Are you Universal Truckload Services? Claim this profile →
Load Types Transport Topics Top 100
FMCSA & Licensing FMCSA Li-Public
Coverage
All 48 contiguous states
Strongest Lanes
Pros & Cons
- Flatbed and specialized truckload depth that few brokers of this size can match — strong fit for oversized, open-deck, and permitted loads
- Subsidiary of publicly traded Universal Logistics Holdings (NASDAQ: ULH) — financial transparency, audited parent-company results, and stability signals that support enterprise procurement qualification
- 30+ years of operation with deep industrial Midwest carrier relationships, particularly in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana
- Asset-light model provides capacity flexibility across a broad owner-operator network without asset constraints
- Natural fit for automotive, steel, and heavy manufacturing industries where specialized equipment requirements are common
- Limited capability in refrigerated, LTL, intermodal, and parcel — shippers with mixed mode needs will require additional providers
- Technology platform is functional but not a differentiator — no instant quoting or API integration reported
- Smaller gross revenue footprint (~$120M estimated) than major national brokers, which may limit capacity options on very thin specialized lanes
- No cross-border Mexico or Canada capability for shippers with international flatbed or specialized freight
- Less visibility and marketing presence than larger competitors, which can make vendor qualification harder at large enterprises
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FAQ
Is Universal Truckload Services licensed and bonded as a freight broker?
The active broker entity is UACL Logistics LLC (DBA Universal), MC-59583 / DOT 41208, Warren, MI — the historical 'Universal Truckload Services, Inc.' name is retired. UACL is a subsidiary of Universal Logistics Holdings (NASDAQ: ULH) with combined carrier+broker authority. Active BMC-84 ($75,000, Cherokee Insurance, eff. 03/25/2021).
What types of freight does Universal (UACL Logistics) move?
Per Transport Topics, Universal primarily handles flatbed and specialized truckload — step-deck, RGN, oversized/permitted. Dry van is active secondary. Reefer, LTL, intermodal, bulk/tank, parcel are not active.
How do Universal Truckload Services' rates compare to other freight brokers?
Universal (UACL) competes on flatbed and specialized equipment — pricing reflects equipment availability and permit complexity, not volume. Open-deck rates are less commoditized than dry van. Benchmark on ShipperGuide.