Trucking Bankruptcies Accelerate

Bankruptcies in trucking are accelerating as tariffs, heavy debt, and post-pandemic overinvestment plague the industry. Some are warning recovery may be delayed until mid-2026.

The pandemic-era freight boom drew thousands of new entrants to the market, many of whom invested heavily in trucks and drivers based on unsustainably high spot rates. As freight demand cooled, those investments became a liability.

2025 was definitively worse than 2024. While 2024 showed some signs of market stabilization and even increased new freight carrier registrations, 2025 saw an acceleration of bankruptcies, record-breaking carrier exits, continued cost inflation, and persistent unprofitability. The hope that emerged in early 2024 was dashed in 2025 by factors including tariffs, tightened credit standards, and new regulatory burdens like stricter English proficiency requirements for drivers.

For industrial property, such as the IOS subcategory, the decline in demand for space from the trucking industry has led to a great change in the market. A few years ago available land was nearly impossible to find and now there are plenty of options to choose from in the Los Angeles area Metro. Land lease rates and sale prices have dipped considerably.

Freezer Cooler Food Processing Building Listings For Lease Sale Los Angeles Area

Southern California has a large inventory of refrigerated and frozen industrial warehouses. Cold storage operators have high cube freezer and cooler spaces while food processing companies need buildings with not only freezers and coolers but also with food production rooms that have sloped floors and floor drains for wash downs of meat, seafood, poultry, meals, or produce. These food facilities generally require a large grease trap known as a clarifier or waste interceptor to manage liquid discharge into the sewer.

Other features include gas lines and food certifications such as USDA, SQF, and BRC. FDA registration is required for businesses involved in interstate commerce, including those shipping food across state lines. However, in addition to FDA registration, California law requires food businesses to obtain a Processed Food Registration (PFR) from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for manufacturing, processing, storing, or distributing food products within the state. Often a food processing permit from the local county health department is also required.

See below available listings of food buildings for sale or sale the Los Angeles area of Southern California. The cities of LA, Vernon, Commerce, and Industry have many industrial food facilities.

Prospective tenants or buyers may contact me with any questions.

USDA Meat Processing Facility For Sale Lease Southern California, Freezer, Cooler

Dock High Truck Loading Doors

This food processing plant is located in the city of Colton in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. One hour east of the City of Los Angeles and Vernon and half an hour east of the City of Industry.

The buildings are 50,000 SF in size with fenced parking and dock high loading on 106,000 square feet of land. Their are cooking ovens and floor drains and wash rooms. The cold storage warehouse has 30 foot high ceilings with both freezer / frozen rooms and cooler / refrigerated rooms.

Currently operating as a meat processing facility and could be attractive to a meat packing client that wishes to “pack and wrap” for beef, lamb, veal, chicken or other animal proteins. Delivered with food certifications such as USDA and BRC and SQF.

With installed ovens and a large gas line, it is a potential commercial kitchen operation for meal kit prep or school lunches or restaurant commissary.

Food Processing area with floor drains

In addition to freezers, coolers, production rooms with floor drains and clarifiers for water treatment, the facility is currently operating which makes it a turnkey solution for a new buyer. There is also a spiral freezer for flash freezing and a boiler.

33 Foot High Racked Freezer

It might interest a buyer who deals in foods such as meats, poultry, beef, seafood, fish, Asian or Latino foods, Chinese dumplings, dairy such as cheese, egg, desserts, produce, fruits, vegetables, or meatless products for vegetarians or vegans, or prepared meals or frozen food manufacturing. Currently the plant processes meat for pet food and any dog or cat food manufacturer could move into this turnkey facility.

Available for sale or lease. Please contact me with any interest.

Aerial Photo and Map of Southern California showing Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Fire Sprinkler System Testing in Warehouses

Fire sprinkler head on pipe

Fire sprinkler systems are highly effective fire protection measures that use water and pressure. Modern industrial manufacturing and warehouse buildings have these systems but many older buildings do not. The cost of fire insurance is often higher for buildings without sprinklers.

Under National Fire Protection Association NFPA 25, Chapter 5, as amended by Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 904.1, fire sprinkler systems in all types of buildings are required to have regular inspections by a licensed fire protection company.

The 5 year system test and certification is typically paid for by the landlord but some industrial leases allow the landlord to pass this cost onto the tenant. Below are some of the key components that are tested:

  • Checking fire sprinkler heads (orientation, condition, and ability to transmit liquid).
  • Performing a forward flow test for backflow preventer.
  • Inspecting sprinkler control valves.
  • Inspecting sprinkler system alarm components.
  • Inspecting and testing low-pressure alarms.
  • Visibly inspecting pipes, gauges, hangers, drain valves, and all other relevant components.
Example 5 year certification sticker on fire sprinkler riser.

100,000+ Square Foot Warehouses for Lease or Sale, Central Los Angeles

As the Vacancy Rate has climbed in recent years, more and more industrial warehouses are available and competing for buyers and tenants in the Central Los Angeles and Southern California market. Feel free to browse the below list of available warehouses that are greater than 100,000 square feet.