Less than truckload freight

FreightWaves Haul of Fame: Georgia Highway Express grew via acquisition; was an intermodal pioneer

A vintage Georgia Highway Express tractor-trailer. (Photo: John Jurkowski collection)

Georgia Highway Express, was founded by Henry Winship in Macon, Georgia in September 1928. The company’s main operating area was between Macon and Milledgeville, Georgia.

Over the next 30 years it grew and by 1959, Georgia Highway Express had begun to service western Georgia and even a small portion of eastern Tennessee. That year, the company purchased B.C. Truck Lines, and with it, gained authority to haul along routes into Alabama and the remainder of Georgia. After completing this purchase,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-haul-of-fame-georgia-highway-express-grew-via-acquisition-was-an-intermodal-pioneer

LTL not out of the woods, but opportunities burgeoning

The less-than-truckload industry has proved resilient amid a pandemic and a plethora of supply chain disruptions. However, Mark Redini, senior vice president of LTL pricing and solutions at Echo Global Logistics, urges the industry not to let its guard down just yet.

“LTL carriers quickly adapted to the changes and continued working over the course of the pandemic; they never really missed a beat,” Redini said, applauding the industry’s efforts but suggesting that there’s more work to be done.

Red...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/ltl-not-out-of-the-woods-but-opportunities-burgeoning

Forward Air bolsters LTL service with J&P Hall acquisition

Forward Air continues M&A activity

Forward Air (NASDAQ: FWRD) announced Wednesday that it will acquire J&P Hall Express, a privately held, expedited transportation provider. The deal is expected to expand Forward’s regional less-than-truckload door-to-door operation.

Founded in 1989, Atlanta-based J&P Hall provides LTL, truckload, less-than-container-load and airport transfers with a fleet of 70 trucks and 110 employees across the Southeast. The company also provides container freight stationing services out of its Atlanta and...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/forward-air-bolsters-ltl-service-through-jp-hall-acquisition

FreightWaves Haul of Fame: Watkins Motor Lines grew for decades

A Watkins Motor Lines truck moves down the road. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Bill Watkins founded Watkins Trucking in 1932 when he purchased the first Watkin’s truck – a red three-quarter ton Dodge pick-up. Watkins purchased the truck using $300 that he had earned working on his family’s farm in Metcalf, Georgia. The very first run Watkin’s made was to Jacksonville, Florida hauling his own chickens. He then completed his first long-haul with service to Norfolk, Virginia.

The company grows bigger

Watkins grew the company by buying, selling and hauling produce, peanuts,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-haul-of-fame-watkins-motor-lines-grew-for-decades

FreightWaves Haul of Fame: LTL carrier Strickland Transportation succeeded under ICC regulations

A Strickland Transportation truck stands ready. (Photo: trovestar.com)

By the mid-1930s, L.R. Strickland had been involved in the trucking industry for several years. He had worked for Sproles Transportation & Storage, based in Dallas, Texas, as well as West Texas Express. His experience in the trucking industry gave him the insight and knowledge that generated Strickland Transportation its early successes. 

Early history

Strickland Transportation Co., Inc.’s journey began when Strickland purchased an interest in Jackson Freight Lines, which operated on routes from...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/acquired-prior-to-trucking-deregulation

FreightWaves Haul of Fame: Consolidated Freightways was an industry leader for many years

A Consolidated tractor and twin trailers. (Photo: Gary Morton Collection)

The early years

Consolidated Freightways, also known as CF, was founded in 1929 by Leland James in Portland, Oregon. James combined four short-haul companies located in Portland into one trucking firm. Once these companies were combined, James focused on expanding their reach. At the time, trucking in the West was a fledgling industry. The lack of industrial expansion to the West at this point made any sort of progress difficult to achieve. Because of this, James focused primarily on...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-haul-of-fame-consolidated-freightways-was-an-industry-leader-for-many-years

FreightWaves Classics: Trucking companies’ names range from A to Z (Chapter 14)

CalArk's tractors and trailers are distinctly marked. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Deregulation of the U.S. trucking industry began in the late 1970s. Congress passed the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 and it was signed into law by President Carter on July 1, 1980. This ended 45 years of onerous regulation by the federal Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC).

One of the most dramatic changes that occurred due to deregulation was the virtual explosion in the number of trucking firms. From 1980 to 1990, the number of licensed carriers doubled – from fewer than 20,000 to more than...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classics-trucking-companies-names-range-from-a-to-z-chapter-14

FreightWaves Haul of Fame: Navajo Freight Lines prospered for 40+ years

A Navajo tractor and two trailers parked under the Navajo sign. (Photo colorized by George Murphey)

The story of Navajo Freight Lines began in 1934 when Red Arrow Trucking was founded. Four years later, Red Arrow was rebranded as the Kansas City Los Angeles Flyer Transport Company. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) granted the company routes from Kansas to Los Angeles, and by 1938, the company serviced New Mexico as well. 

Early years

However, in 1940, the ICC revoked all routes given prior to the New Mexico lanes. This was a huge blow to the company, and its story might have ended...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/freightwaves-haul-of-fame-navajo-freight-lines-prospered-for-40-years

FreightWaves Haul of Fame: Associated Transport was the largest trucking company in the U.S.

An Associated Transport tractor-trailer combo. (Photo: Gary Morton Collection)

According to accounts at the time, between 1943 and 1976 Associated Transport was the largest trucking company in the world. Known by its red, white and black logo, Associated Transport was the result of a merger of seven trucking companies during World War II.

A huge merger – particularly at that time

Associated Transport was founded when seven large to mid-sized trucking companies – Barnwell Brothers Inc. (Burlington, North Carolina), Consolidated Motor Lines (Hartford, Connecticut), Horton...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/freightwaves-haul-of-fame:-associated-transport-was-the-largest-trucking-company-in-the-us

FreightWaves Haul of Fame: Watkins & Shepard Trucking prospered… until it was acquired

A Watkins & Shephard rig with a beautiful backdrop. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Watkins & Shepard Trucking Inc. (W&S) was founded in 1974 as Stan Watkins Trucking. The company offered truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL) and flatbed services and was headquartered in Missoula, Montana. Watkins & Shepard first built its business hauling loads for the furniture and carpet industries. However, the company soon diversified as its business grew. By 1990, the company hauled as much as 70% of the liquor sold in the state of Montana. The majority of its business was in LTL freight,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-haul-of-fame:-watkins-shepard-trucking-prospered-until-its-acquisition

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