Dive Brief:
- Ryder System opened a truck rental and maintenance facility in Lebanon, Tennessee, as part of its strategy to expand where demand and logistics activity is growing, Tom Havens, president of fleet management solutions, told Trucking Dive.
- The new site, now operational, is 7,000 square feet with five maintenance bays, integrated technology and equipped to provide customers with fleet and commercial truck rental support.
- “This expansion reflects Ryder’s commitment to supporting our customers in economically dynamic and diverse markets,” Havens said in a press release. “Lebanon’s growth, infrastructure investments, and proximity to key transit corridors make it an ideal location for expanding Ryder’s service footprint,” he added.
Dive Insight:
Ryder System is pursuing growing demand trends in logistics, leading it to open a new truck rental and maintenance facility.
“We continuously review market data and invest in growth regions to better serve our customers,” Havens said in an email. “Shifting market dynamics have reshaped supply chain needs, and we follow these trends closely to ensure that our infrastructure aligns where we can deliver the most value.”
The recent opening of its truck rental and maintenance facility in Lebanon, Tennessee, is one example of Ryder’s growth strategy, Havens said.
Lebanon’s population is growing and the business climate is surging with new investments in logistics, manufacturing and fulfillment operations, Ryder said in the release. The investments have expanded regional supply chain capabilities.
“We’re planning additional facility openings across the U.S. to strengthen our network and better support customers, delivering seamless, technology-enabled logistics solutions from port to door, wherever they need us,” Havens said.
The expansion is helping the company reposition itself amid challenging market conditions. Despite that, the transportation services conglomerate recently noted progress in its margins.
During Q2, Ryder’s operating revenue was up 2% year over year at $2.6 billion with some growth reflected from multiple segments, including Fleet Management Solutions, CFO Cristina Gallo-Aquino said on a July 24 earnings call. FMS covers commercial rental, vehicle maintenance services and other leasing services.
“As the market does improve, I would expect that we would invest in some tractors in the rental fleet probably in 2026, but we'll wait to see as the market improves before we do that and grow that tractor fleet again,” Havens said in the call.
She also reported that the company is improving on pricing and maintenance cost initiatives. The company expects $50 million in benefits over the years from such efforts, which were announced in 2024, executives have noted on earnings calls.
The new site aligns with other openings in the industry. Averitt announced in January 2024 how it expanded or enhanced three facilities in the Nashville area, which included relocating its Nashville Distribution & Fulfillment facility from the city’s airport to Lebanon.