Sad news out of Sacramento, California as Matheson Postal Services, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of California on May 5th. This follows a filing by sister company Matheson Flight Extenders the same day. They are both subsidiaries of Matheson Inc., along with Matheson Mail Transportation Inc. and Matheson Trucking Inc. Matheson is a family-owned and operated company founded in 1962 by Robert and Carole Matheson.
The company has been a USPS logistics capacity provider that operated 248 power units with 383 drivers, according to the SAFER website. FreightWaves’ Clarissa Hawes has a story following the case as well. Matheson Inc. and its family of subsidiaries is no stranger to the courtroom. Most notably back in 2015, a civil rights case caused public attention for the company’s use of discriminatory language and segregating workers based on color. Also, Matheson Inc. reappeared with a 2020 matter of improper termination while an employee was on FMLA leave.
Why is this continuing to happen with USPS contractors?
Many of us wonder how can companies that get these lucrative government contracts blow up so easily? Well, sometimes the terms are not viable. Since the USPS changed the method of pay from a contracted rate to a mileage system more akin to piecework pay, we’ve seen companies with smaller footprints forced out.
Now, Matheson Inc., which was a larger player, has been forced out. Who will step in to fill this void? Is there a conglomeration in postal logistics growing to take the routes now open? Matheson had coverage in multiple markets, not just in California. Denver and Philadelphia are two others I’ve identified. Back the Truck Up will be watching this case and keeping you updated as it develops.
