Call for excellence: Nominations open for 2026 FleetOwner Private Fleet of the Year awards

Submissions are open for the 2026 FleetOwner Private Fleet of the Year awards, sponsored by Descartes Systems. Highlight excellence in safety, technology, and operations in your company's transportation operations.

Is your transportation operation setting the pace for the rest of the industry? FleetOwner is officially seeking nominations for the 2026 Private Fleet of the Year Awards, sponsored by Descartes Systems.

These prestigious awards recognize the quiet giants of transportation—the in-house operations that keep retail, construction, food service, and utilities moving with precision. Winners will be honored on stage this May during the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.

What defines a private fleet?

Per the NPTC, a private fleet is an in-house truck operation (often a separate corporate entity) serving a parent corporation whose primary business is not trucking—such as manufacturing or retail. These fleets provide a competitive advantage, often selling excess capacity to lower operating costs while maintaining full control over the customer experience.

Honoring winning private fleet legacies 

Last year’s winners set a high bar for the 2026 class. From massive operations to nimble specialists, the 2025 honorees proved that excellence isn't about size—it's about execution:

These fleets join an elite roster of past winners, including America’s Service Line, CRH Americas, AutoZone, Meijer Logistics, and Frito-Lay.

"Descartes is extremely proud to help FleetOwner shine a light on these private carriers that embody the spirit of our trucking industry,” Cyndi Brandt, VP of fleet solutions for Decartes, said. “These fleets are early adopters of technology, operate very safely and efficiently, and give back to the communities in which they reside. These attributes align with Descartes’ primary mission of supplying best-in-class technology solutions to our fleet customers."

2026 Private Fleet of the Year entry form

What we’re looking for

FleetOwner editors select winners based on a comprehensive look at a fleet’s "vital signs." We aren't just looking at the balance sheet; we are looking for:

  • Safety excellence: Cultures that prioritize getting drivers home safely.
  • Technology adoption: Early adopters using data and tools to solve modern logistics puzzles.
  • Community impact: Fleets that give back to the regions they serve.
  • Operational grit: Success in overcoming the unique supply chain challenges of the past year.

How to nominate

Nominations are open to all private carriers and transportation operations. Whether you are a customer, supplier, driver, or fleet leader proud of your team's hard work, we want to hear from you.

  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
  • Entry fee: None
  • Awards ceremony: May 11 at the NPTC 2026 Conference in Orlando.
  • Recognition: Winners will be featured in the June 2026 print and online editions of FleetOwner.