A Florida-based trucking company has announced plans to shutter operations after decades in business.
On Wednesday, April 16, company owner Jimmy Davis announced that Davis Express, Inc., out of Starke, Florida, would close after 44 years in business.
The family-owned company employs 140 drivers and operates 160 power units, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Davis Express provides refrigerated trucking services to the southeast region.
Jimmy Davis pointed to a combination of retirements plans, unfavorable market conditions, and increasing legal risks as reasons for the closure:
“The last few years have been very challenging for refrigerated trucking as costs continue to rise while rates remain flat or have decreased. We have been unprofitable since early 2023 and do not see any signs of improvement in 2025. In addition, plaintiff’s attorneys have increasingly targeted the trucking industry. Every trip a driver takes is Russian Roulette for everything I worked for my entire life. After 50 years in the trucking industry, I am ready to retire and do not wish to wait any longer for things to improve or to try to find a buyer for the company. Josh, Kayla, & Joel do not wish to continue in the business due to the challenging 24/7 nature of the business that we operate in and will pursue their own individual career.“
Davis says that drivers will be paid and that the operation will wind down in an orderly fashion:
“Although the company has been unprofitable the past several years, we are not broke, bankrupt, nor do we have any cash flow problems. There are sufficient funds to pay out all employees, vendors, and creditors timely. We will continue to make deliveries thru 4/23. We will return all trucks and trailers to our Starke terminal by 4/30. All employees will continue to be paid timely every Friday and will receive benefits thru the 6/15 pay period. We will continue to employ mechanics and operate the shop for the time being as we take equipment out of service and sell. As we enter the final chapter of Davis Express, I want to thank everyone that has made the company successful over the years.“
