"It breaks our hearts to see something like this, especially so close to the holidays..."

As the manufacturing recession gains momentum, the largest U.S. truckload carrier filed for bankruptcy Monday morning, leaving 3,000 truck drivers and 500 administrative positions without a job two weeks before Christmas.

Indianapolis-based Celadon filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the early hours on Monday morning.

Celadon CEO Paul Svindland told WTHR Indianapolis that the entire company would shut down business operations except for the "Taylor Express" subsidiary in Hope Mills, North Carolina, on Monday.

Svindland said the company will guarantee delivery of their last loads and will instruct drivers where to leave trucks.