Dive Brief:
- Landstar System is seeing growing momentum tied to data center-related freight, executives said during its Q1 earnings call April 28.
- Nine of the company’s 100 top customers are connected to the sector, spanning generators, batteries, cooling equipment and infrastructure.
- These customers represented 12% of Landstar’s total revenue. The company reported $1.17 billion in Q1 revenue, implying about $140.6 million attributed to data center freight activity.
Dive Insight:
Data center demand is emerging as a bright spot for Landstar amid an otherwise mixed freight environment. The company’s heavy-haul segment posted year-over-year volume growth across energy, government, machinery, aerospace and defense, but executives emphasized data center-related customers as a standout contributor.
The opportunity is tied to the rapid buildout of digital infrastructure across the U.S., driven by the rise of artificial intelligence. As of October 2025, the U.S. had more than 4,000 data centers in operation or under development, according to Pew Research Center.
That expansion is translating into new demand for specialized freight, and in turn, elevating heavy-haul volumes.
“There’s real energy needs,” James Applegate, Landstar VP and chief corporate sales, said during the earnings call. “There’s real kind of side benefits that you get as you’re seeing this big build-out happen.”
Still, the broader market remains uneven. Landstar flagged softness in automotive and building products during the quarter, weighing on its overall Q1 volumes. Analysts at TD Cowen noted that seasonal trends and improving industrial indicators could drive stronger load volumes into the spring.
While Landstar did not offer any formal guidance for Q2, executives commented that April truck volumes are in line with normal seasonality, however revenue per truck load is up 13% over April 2025.
