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Ryder Warns Small Brokers Face Mounting Pressure Over Safety Liability

Small and mid-sized freight brokerages face mounting pressure as liability verdicts and carrier safety requirements force shippers to reconsider their logistics partnerships, according to a Ryder executive. Shippers increasingly demand documented safety cultures and large, well-capitalized brands capable of withstanding nuclear verdicts. Ryder has operated for more than 90 years with both asset-based and brokerage divisions. The company maintains carrier vetting standards already exceeding many competitors and proactively removes carriers that fail qualification thresholds—even when doing so costs shippers more money. Shipper partners have accepted these conversations without resistance. The executive noted that rate competitiveness no longer drives carrier selection. Asset-based operators with direct driver management and established safety infrastructure now hold a competitive edge. Their litigation experience and proximity to drivers strengthen their market positioning during this industry transition.