Join President of Tallgrass Freight Sean Richardson as he shares quarterly insights and key updates on the freight market and on our company. This quarter, Sean discusses the freight surge, ongoing industry challenges and strategies for capitalizing on growth opportunities as we move into the second half of 2025.
So far, 2025 has been a whirlwind, crazy year — and we’re just halfway through. When I look back at where we started in Q1, there was a mass influx of freight coming into the United States. Much of that influx was a reaction to uncertainty surrounding when tariffs would be put into place, what they would look like and what the impact would be. Substantial tariffs were anticipated, which would impact buying power and trickle down to freight. And as Q2 began, seasonal considerations like produce freight were top of mind.
What we saw with many customers was mass ordering to get ahead of their inventory and supply before tariffs were implemented. We ended Q1 up 30% year over year compared to 2024. And at the close of Q2, we’re looking at about 25% growth. But volatility continues, and without a crystal ball, the focus is now on what we can control in this market. Pricing will be what it is, and capacity will be what it is. But we can control how we respond and how we capture volume.
Here’s our freight outlook for what the third quarter of the year may hold, and how ambitious freight agents can position themselves for success in today’s landscape.
Q3 Freight Outlook: What We’re Seeing in the Market
Theft, fraud and double brokering — which plague our industry — are still very relevant. And with the influx of freight we’re expecting in the coming weeks, these issues aren’t going away anytime soon. More freight means a strain on capacity, and people operating under shady circumstances often try to take full advantage.
The usual suspects, like household goods, automotive parts, food and beverage and electronics, are still being targeted. Losses due to freight fraud could be upwards of $1 billion, and scammers are getting more and more creative. These bad actors are only getting better at flying under the radar and appearing legitimate.
That’s exactly why we’re partnering with My Carrier Portal here at Tallgrass. This gives our agents enhanced compliance tools, like active monitoring, VIN verification and ensuring carriers are who they say they are.
As a Tallgrass agent, you’ve got to be an advocate for your customers, which means looking out for those you serve. I always say, if it smells fishy, it probably is. If something doesn’t seem right, take the extra time to dive deep into the background. Our compliance team (shout out to our outstanding back office!) has done a tremendous job of catching potential scammers before pickup. Before scammers ever touch the load, that’s exactly when you want to catch them.
Looking Ahead: Here Comes Another Freight Surge
Some basic frameworks of a trade deal with China are taking shape, but nothing’s finalized yet. I anticipate a similar pattern to what we experienced in Q1. Businesses got a taste of what these tariffs could look like, and now with a brief truce in place, there’s just enough clarity to make moves. Mass ordering is what we’re seeing once again, to get ahead of any changes.
From our perspective, this upcoming freight surge presents massive opportunities. The volume we’re capturing now should only increase, and could potentially run through Q3 or the entire second half of the year. We really don’t know, as there are many moving pieces. But the agents who position themselves strategically to have quality conversations with customers are going to capitalize on this surge. When logistics managers have hundreds of things on their plates, we want to be the partner they don’t have to worry about. The best freight agents give logistics managers peace of mind: Once they tender the load to a Tallgrass agent, they can cross it off their list and they can trust that it’s handled.
What Our Best Agents Are Doing Right Now
When things feel unstable in the headlines, the smartest thing freight agents can do is to commit to stability themselves. Our best agents are doing what they’ve been doing all year. They know their business plan, their forecast, their projections and their growth goals, and now they’re executing on them.
You’re always going to have to navigate the market in freight. There will always be ups and downs. But if you’re focusing on your foundation and you’ve got a plan in place, you execute it. That rinse-and-repeat mentality is what separates the best freight agents from the competition.
The evidence is in the data. TGF agents brought on more than 500 new accounts in the first five months of 2025 alone. In times of uncertainty, customers value partnerships with people they can trust, especially if they’ve been burned by stolen loads or double brokering. They’re looking for freight brokers who will truly advocate for them. The opportunity for quality logistics professionals is out there, and our agents are capitalizing on it.
The Year Isn’t Over Yet
For agents who are struggling to build momentum, or agents who aren’t part of Tallgrass yet, it’s never too late to start a plan. We are only halfway through the year. There is more than enough time for agents to hit their goals, qualify for our Club 250 rewards program and start making an impactful change in their lives.
Our agent development team, led by Chloe Marshall and Jordan Brady, offers book breakdowns to all our agents. These in-depth analyses of books of business really open agents’ eyes. We show agents where they’re succeeding, what industries and regions they can sell into and what their typical customer looks like. Knowledge is power, and when you know where you thrive, you can cultivate more like-minded prospects.
Don’t Get Lost in the Noise
There’s so much happening in the news every day, but you need to treat the headlines like being on a diet. You wouldn’t weigh yourself every single day; you’d check on your progress every couple of weeks. Treat the news the same way. Don’t let the 24/7 news cycle distract you or pull you away from what you should be doing. Focus on what you can control, including your attitude, your effort and executing your plan.
The volume is there, and the opportunity is real in Q3. But you’ve got to make the move. Bet on yourself and talk to us today about joining Tallgrass. Let’s make the rest of 2025 your best yet.