ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Con-Way Transportation Services is preparing to enter next year with the addition of a new linehaul service operating company, Con-Way Truckload.

The new company will provide transcontinental linehaul service on less-than-truckload shipments, serving regional carriers Con-Way Central Express, Con-Way Southern Express and Con-Way Western Express.

"Formation of Con-Way Truckload will allow our organisation to save money on line haul costs, protect our service with inter-company operations that operate in tandem with our current truckload vendors, and allow us to build a potential truckload revenue base," said Gerald Detter, president and chief executive, in a statement.

Con-Way expects the new company, which be run as a free-standing organisation with its own employees and equipment, to create about 450 jobs in the first two years of business.

Con-Way Truckload will service transcontinental routes in addition to the company’s existing truckload providers.