Episode 90 Show Notes

In 3 months, Jack Cooper went from discussing new funding to closing its doors

GM considered financial support, but without Ford in on the deal, it backed out, sources say

By John Kingston       Tuesday, February 17, 2025

In just a few short months, Jack Cooper went from negotiating with General Motors on steps to shore up the auto carrier’s finances to permanently closing after taking two blows from the nation’s two largest auto makers.

It was a swift end to Jack Cooper, in business for almost 100 years. It had survived a Chapter 11 process in 2019 but couldn’t survive the upheaval of the past few months. 

Monday’s announcement of Jack Cooper’s closure wrapped up a tumultuous period, the past five-plus weeks playing out in public beginning with the Jan. 2 notification that Jack Cooper received from Ford saying the automaker was invoking a 30-day out clause to end its relationship. News of that move by Ford trickled out over the next few days.

But based on conversations with sources close to companies involved in the rupture that has ended Jack Cooper’s long tenure as a major auto carrier, the circumstances that led to its demise began before that over the question of financing.

According to those sources, Jack Cooper and GM had begun discussions approximately three months ago on GM supporting Jack Cooper’s capitalization in some form, though it would not have taken an equity stake. The dollar figure under discussion was unknown.

Jack Cooper is privately held by members of the Riggs family and top executive Sarah Amico, formerly Sarah Riggs.

GM’s requirement was that Ford also take a role in strengthening the financial base of Jack Cooper. However, Jack Cooper executives told GM that its contractual agreements with Ford would not allow it to make such a request.

Instead, Jack Cooper asked GM to make the request to Ford, according to sources. That kicked off a process of GM being rebuffed after approaching Ford. Ford eventually ended its relationship with Jack Cooper. 

Jack Cooper did secure a $200 million investment commitment from another unidentified party, but GM rejected that. 

LISTENER LETTERS

Well we always ask our followers to give us a topic to discuss and we have a gentleman that sent a message on Facebook. Yes, it’s that easy people, we will talk about anything.

Well here we go, Mr.Leif Butler Jr. from Guilderland, New York. Who works for Frontier Specialized, a Heavy Haul company asks? 

What we would rate the easiest trucking job to get into by way of the freight or products you haul and the type of trailer you pull.

Well starting with the easiest this is my opinion and the guys might be different.

1- STRAIGHT TRUCK

2- DRIVE AWAY

3- POWER ONLY

4- VAN TRAILERS

5- DUMP TRAILERS

6- FLAT BEDS

7- STEP DECKS

8- TANKERS / HAZ

9- EQUIPMENT DOVE TAILS

10- CAR HAULERS

11- DOUBLES AND TRIPLES

12- LOWBOYS

13- SUPER LOADS

I’m sure there’s one I left out but these are ones that come to mind. Normally anyone wanting to try and get into trucking and are not comfortable with a trailer are wise to cut their teeth on a straight truck 1st to get the feel for the industry. If you are comfortable with a trailer, by all means start off with a dry van, find a company that has different freight they haul, that would take the time to train you right and give you an opportunity to advance.

Any company out there is taking into consideration the safety factor for a driver who has not ever pulled a variety of trailers. Far as the other trailers and jobs on this list, takes time to learn the job and to be good at it. Anyone can be a steering wheel holder, you have to be a professional at the task at hand, no matter the job. It’s called WORK ETHIC people! Me and the boys and girl will discuss this more.