After nearly a century in business, Jack Cooper Transport, one of the largest auto haulers in North America, has announced it is closing its doors. The decision comes after the company lost its two major customers, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors (GM), within a span of just six weeks.
The troubles began on January 2, 2025, when Ford invoked a 30-day termination clause in its contract with Jack Cooper, ending a 40-year business relationship. This move left the company scrambling to renegotiate terms with GM, its largest customer. However, negotiations with GM broke down on February 7, 2025, leading to the immediate halt of services and the eventual shutdown of operations.
The loss of these contracts has had a devastating impact on Jack Cooper’s workforce. Over 2,500 employees, including 1,700 Teamsters union members, are expected to lose their jobs. Layoffs have already been reported in multiple states, including Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Jack Cooper CEO Sarah Amico expressed deep sadness in a letter to employees, stating, “After 97 years in business, Jack Cooper will be closing our doors in the near future.” She highlighted the company’s proud legacy as a women-owned, union-operated business that had won GM’s “Supplier of the Year” award three times in the past 15 years.
The closure of Jack Cooper marks a significant shift in the auto hauling industry. Analysts suggest that other carriers, including non-unionized companies like Proficient Auto Logistics, may benefit from the void left by Jack Cooper’s exit.
For now, former employees and industry stakeholders are left grappling with the fallout of this sudden shutdown, as one of the oldest names in trucking fades into history.