Broker C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. last week laid off about 300 people, equal to about 2% of its global workforce, as it continues to work to match reduced demand for its services with its supply of labor.
In a statement Tuesday, the company (NASDAQ: CHRW) said the cuts affected workers across the company. However, they fell primarily on the shared services and non-engineering technology areas, the company said.
According to a well-placed source, the company’s marketing disciplines were disproportionately affected by the cuts.
This is the second workforce cut in the past seven months. The first, in November 2022, affected approximately 650 jobs.
Robinson has been in turmoil since the start of the year when it forced out Bob Biesterfeld as president and CEO. It has conducted a high-profile successor search, which has been widely expected to yield Jim Barber, former UPS COO, as the replacement. Nothing is expected to be announced until the end of this quarter at the earliest.
Debra Jones
@Michael Boston, J.B. Hunt isn’t just a broker, they also have asset drivers. So, really not part of that group.
Paulette Archer
I deeply saddened by this news. C.H Robinson is a great company with terrific staff. Including me, the industry has greatly impacted with the multiple negative pressure from all corners which may warrant such outcome. We certainly will miss you all. Looking forward for you return.
Fred M
Can someone explain the high freight rates out of the Savannah, GA area? It can’t be just the produce season.
Anon
This is the third layoff from CHR in the past 7 months, not the second. They did a small one a month ago right after the end of Q1.
cliff floyd
Not sure about some of the comments on here. People obviously don’t know what they are talking about. There is 100% a freight recession. Check all the indexes. Data dont lie. As far as boycotting large brokers, thats is just nuts. Who do you think moves most of the loads. If you are unhappy with the rates they are demanding, don’t move the load. Stop complaining about it. This is just the beginning of the reduction by all transportation providers-brokers and asset base.
Joseph Ciccone
Not wrong about shippers trying to pay less as is their right as is ours when market changes to raise the rates again. But alot of this is the brokers who are popping up selling crazy low rates to get market share and putting the little carriers out of business by lowering the market . Then double brokering the cargo to another broker by the time the carrier gets his piece it has been reduced so much they cannot afford to haul it . Unfortunately with no available freight there is little choice but to take what you an and try to hold out , when the dust settle hopefully we will all still be here .
Joe
Bill Hanes
This is response to the idiots like michael. Your “33k drivers” that have boycotted these brokerages have done nothing but open the door for carriers and force your doors closed. Smart move, talk to your grandpa who hasnt retired because he doesnt want to, simple supply and demand
Ben D
Replying to the comment above me saying there is no freight recession…just greedy brokers.
Who do you think sets the market? The shippers. Very few people at the big brokerages are making good money right now unless they have a ton of volume.
This is called supply and demand. There are WAY too many truckers in the market and not enough freight. Take one look at the steep drop off in containers at the port and you will understand this.
Read a newspaper for once.
Thanks,
Ben