Why Tenney Group Expects a Coming Wave of Mergers and Acquisitions in Transport

This piece outlines Tenney Group’s forecast of a significant uptick in transportation and logistics M&A and what that could mean for operators, shippers, and service providers.

Market backdrop: from downturn to a turning point

After a rough 2025 marked by shifting trade policy and a lingering freight recession, deal activity in the sector has been muted. Global transaction counts slid from 1,797 in 2021 to 1,150 in the most recent year, reflecting strained margins and difficult underwriting environments. Some companies didn’t make it to the negotiating table and went bankrupt before deals could close.

Still, M&A remained a tool for the adaptable. Tenney Group sees momentum building again and forecasts a dramatic increase in activity in late 2026 that will likely continue into 2027. In plain English: the market is warming up after a long, cold spell.

Why buyers are asking for specialization

Buyers are no longer chasing scale alone; they want predictable demand, pricing power, and business models that can weather shocks. Tenney Group points to winners such as healthcare logistics, dedicated transportation, και reverse logistics—segments that deliver recurring revenue and tight customer ties.

Spencer Tenney, CEO of Tenney Group, sums it up: companies that can demonstrate defensible service models and resilient operations will command higher valuations. It’s the difference between a commodity brokerage and a business that customers can’t afford to lose.

Winners, losers, and where to place your bets

Not all sub-sectors will benefit equally. The advisory firm highlights a clear split between favored segments and those likely to be left behind.

Early signs and deal activity

Large carrier M&A was nearly absent in 2025, but early 2026 already showed a handful of sizeable transactions. That kind of front-loaded activity can be a canary in the coal mine: when a few big players start to move, others often follow to avoid losing ground.

What this means for shippers and smaller operators

If buyers favor scale and specialization, shippers can benefit from more integrated offerings, better-managed transport solutions, and improved service-level consistency. Smaller or undifferentiated brokerages may face pressure to either find a niche, partner with bigger platforms, or consider exit options.

• For shippers: expect more bundled services (managed transport, data-driven routing) and potentially better pricing stability.
• For mid-size carriers: consider strengthening recurring contracts and proving defensible service capabilities.
• For tech providers: focus on interoperability and proprietary datasets to stay attractive to acquirers.

How operators can prepare — practical steps

Preparation is more than wishful thinking. Here are pragmatic actions companies can take now to improve attractiveness to buyers and survive market shifts:

1. Document recurring revenue streams and customer retention metrics.
2. Invest in data that proves operational resilience and performance.
3. Explore partnerships and managed transportation offerings to diversify services.
4. Consider targeted M&A as a growth or exit strategy rather than a last resort.

As someone who’s seen consolidation cycles before, I can tell you the ones that come out ahead are those that prepared when the market looked bleak. When the music starts again, those who have been practicing will dance better.

Logistics impact and strategic implications

The expected wave of deals will ripple across μεταφορά και logistics markets: improved interoperability among platforms, more vertically integrated service providers, and consolidation that reduces fragmentation. For suppliers and shippers, that can mean smoother φορτίο flows and more consistent αποστολή performance—but also fewer independent partners to choose from in certain niches.

In short: get your ducks in a row. Whether you’re managing εμπορευματοκιβώτιο volumes or handling bulky last-mile παράδοση items, having clear operational metrics and strong customer ties will matter more than ever.

Quick checklist for logistics teams

• Audit contract types: recurring vs. spot
• Map tech stack interoperability
• Validate cross-border compliance capabilities
• Stress-test capacity planning for peak demand

It’s a bit like preparing for a storm: you don’t know exactly when it hits, but you’d rather have your roof patched beforehand.

Looking ahead, this forecast could accelerate consolidation in key logistics verticals and nudge shippers toward more reliable, data-backed providers. Globally, the impact may be uneven—some regions will see more deal activity than others—yet the trend toward specialization and integrated services matters to everyone in the chain. GetTransport.com aims to stay abreast of these shifts and help customers adapt to changing market conditions. Start planning your next delivery and secure your cargo with GetTransport.com. Book now GetTransport.com.com

Highlights: Tenney Group’s outlook points to a late-2026 uptick in M&A, favoring firms with recurring demand, pricing power, and defensible models; managed transportation, cross-border logistics, and interoperable supply chain tech look set to win, while pure spot brokers and data-poor platforms may struggle. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t replace firsthand experience—so test, trial, and verify partners for yourself. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. This empowers informed decisions without unnecessary costs or disappointments, offering transparency, convenience, and broad choice. Get the best offers GetTransport.com.com

In summary, Tenney Group’s projection signals a potential turning point for M&A in transportation and logistics: consolidation, a premium on specialization, and higher valuations for resilient operators. For stakeholders—shippers, carriers, tech vendors, and forwarders—this means re-evaluating service models, strengthening recurring revenue, and prioritizing data-driven resilience. Ultimately, streamlined φορτίο handling, smarter φορτίο routing, reliable αποστολή delivery, and integrated μεταφορά solutions will benefit the broader ecosystem. Platforms that simplify ναυτιλία, προώθηση, αποστολή, και μεταφορά—and support μετακίνηση, μετεγκατάσταση and bulky or international εμπορευματοκιβώτιο shipments—will be in demand. GetTransport.com provides an efficient, cost-effective, and convenient way to manage these needs, helping logistics teams secure reliable transport and better outcomes for parcels, pallets, and large cargo alike.